Museletter IGNITE your curiosity. DISCOVER your story. JANUARY 2019 Vera Gang Scott First African American principal in the CS Public Schools 1969 from the CSPM Collection
African Americans have helped shape the Pikes Peak Region socially, politically, intellectually, culturally, and economically. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is proud to partner with the NAACP Colorado Springs Branch, Colorado Humanities, and Pikes Peak Community College for our 2019 Black History Month Program Series. Through a variety of tour and program offerings we will explore the stories of local residents such as the Robert Martin Family who took advantage of the 1862 Homestead Act to purchase land in nearby Bijou Basin. They operated a successful dairy farm but later moved into Colorado Springs so their children could have additional educational opportunities. And we’ll consider the effects of national events and trends on local individuals and organizations. Mrs. Nina Stroud Pellerin became the first black school teacher in Colorado Springs in 1954, the same years as the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. We are honored to have the opportunity to share these and other stories that demonstrate the impact and legacy of African Americans who have made their home in Colorado Springs. Robert Martin Family Nina Stroud Pellerin MUSELETTER JAN 2019| PG 2
Join us for the January 17 Community Reception for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. The NAACP Colorado Springs Branch and the City of Colorado Springs will honor the All People’s Breakfast Committee and explore the history and legacy of service and civil rights in the Pikes Peak region, followed by a celebratory reception. On February 1, Pikes Peak Community College invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the local community to participate in a kick-off celebration of Black History Month at the museum. Guests are invited to explore exhibits, join a Black History tour, and learn more about the history of African Americans in the Pikes Peak region. Also, be sure to view the “Pikes Peak Community College: 50 Years of Colorado Springs History” exhibit and enjoy a cookie and punch reception in the museum’s Henderson Gallery. Families can attend the monthly Children’s History Hour program on Wednesday, February 20 and Saturday, February 23, exploring the story of Charles Collins, “The Riding Master,” who during the late nineteenth century was known throughout the region for his superb horsemanship skills and staged exhibitions to promote his riding school and stable. Children ages 3-6 can experience story-time, a family-friendly tour, an activity, and craft. On February 22, CSPM is thrilled to be a tour stop for Colorado Humanities Black History Live Tour 2019: A Portrayal of Maya Angelou. A living history portrayal will give insight into how and why Maya Angelou wrote, and reflect on her philosophy of life, which included a strong belief in the power of words. Schools are encouraged to reserve space for the daytime presentation, and the performace is open to the public at 6 pm. The newest addition to the Story of Us exhibit, S = Sankofa. In July 1992, five women of African and Caribbean heritage Anabela Crooks, Maxine Stores, Senga Fittz, Rochelle Taylor, and Dr. Sheila Christy-Martin met to discuss the need to make a dynamic impact in the Colorado Springs community where their history, faces, voices, and lives as black women were visible. Later joined by Evelyn Taylor, the group combined their talents and passion to form “Sankofa.” A Ghanaian Adinkra symbol of wisdom, Sankofa represents learning from the past and building for the future or “return and pick it up.” Since its inception, Sankofa has preserved the cultural awareness of the African diaspora in the Rocky Mountain region through authentic dance and drum performances, workshops, arts & crafts workshops, storytelling and community involvement. To learn more go to www.cspmstoryofus.com. Charles Collins Throughout February, Black History Month tours will be offered on Tuesdays at 1pm, Fridays at 11am, and Saturdays at Noon and 1pm. No reservations necessary. Groups may arrange Black History tours throughout the year. To RSVP and for more info on CSPM Black History Month programs >> click here MUSELETTER JAN 2019| PG 3
UPCOMING EVENTS Pikes Peak Regional History Lecture Series Pikes Peak Trolleys: Past, Present, and Future Presented by John Haney Saturday, January 12 2:00 – 3:00 pm Join CSPM and John Haney, founder and secretary of the Pikes Peak Trolley Museum and Restoration Shop, for an exploration of the history of the trolley system in Colorado Springs dating back to 1887. John will also discuss the current work of the Trolley Museum and prospects for the development of a future streetcar system in the city. RSVP required| $5 suggested donation Community Reception for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Thursday, January 17 5:00 – 7:30 pm The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is honored to host the Community Kick-Off to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Join the NAACP Colorado Springs Branch and the City of Colorado Springs as we honor the All People’s Breakfast Committee and explore the history and legacy of service and civil rights in the Pikes Peak region. Following the brief program please join us for a celebratory reception. RSVP required | Free and open to the public Children’s History Hour: Trains, Trolleys, and Horses of course! Wednesday, January 16 Saturday, January 26 9:00 – 10:00 am Choo choo! All aboard! Let’s explore different types of transportation from the past right here in Colorado Springs. How did people get around before cars? Trolleys, trains, wagons, horses, of course! Children ages 3-6 and their favorite adult are invited to explore regional history through story time, a familyfriendly tour, activity, and craft. RSVP required|$3 suggested donation Make a morning of it! After the event learn through play in our interactive “Trade at Bent’s Fort” children’s exhibit, or explore the museum with Max the Marmot by picking up a Picture Hunt at the front desk. Please RSVP for events at: www.cspm.org/rsvp-for-an-event or 719-385-5990 Museum Hours: Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm MUSELETTER JAN 2019| PG 4 Streetcar ca. 1900 From the collection of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum Martin Luther King, Jr. From the Library of Congress
UPCOMING EVENTS Pikes Peak Community College Kick-off to Black History Month Friday, February 1 3:00 – 5:00 pm Pikes Peak Community College invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the local community to participate in a kick-off celebration of Black History Month at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Stop by between 3 and 5pm to explore exhibits, join a Black History tour, and learn more about the history and contributions of African Americans in the Pikes Peak region. Guests are also invited to view the “Pikes Peak Community College: 50 Years of Colorado Springs History” exhibit and enjoy a cookie and punch reception in the museum’s Henderson Gallery. RSVP required | Free and open to the public Pikes Peak Regional History Lecture Series Helen Hunt Jackson’s Literary Home Presented by Dr. Lesley Ginsberg, Department Chair & Professor of English, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Saturday, February 9 2:00 – 3:00 pm Highlighting objects, artworks, papers, and books, this talk tells the story of how Helen Hunt Jackson built a lasting literary home. While Jackson is best known for her beloved novel, Ramona (1884), study of the books that were donated to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum in 1961 and that had until recently remained unexamined, reveals that the author was also a discerning reader whose book collection attests to networks of literary friendships and the importance of family ties. The Jackson family house reflects the literary and advocacy communities in which Helen Hunt Jackson made her home. RSVP required|$5 suggested donation One shelf of Helen Hunt Jackson’s library, as seen in CSPM Black History Live: Maya Angelou Friday, February 22 10 - 11:30 am (Middle and High School Students only) 6 - 7:30 pm ($5) CSPM is tour stop for Colorado Humanities Black History Live Tour 2019: A Portrayal of Maya Angelou. This living history portrayal will give insight into how Maya Angelou wrote, and why, and reflect on her philosophy of life, which included a strong belief in the power of words. Story of Us Exhibit addition: S = Sankofa Friday, February 22 In July, 1992, five women of African and Caribbean heritage met to discuss the need to make a dynamic impact in the Colorado Springs community where their history, faces, voices, and lives as black women were visible. Later a sixth woman joined and the group combined their talents and passion to form “Sankofa.” MUSELETTER JAN 2019| PG 5
DID YOU KNOW? The exterior restoration project is complete The staff and board of CSPM are pleased to announce the completion of the exterior restoration project of the 1903 El Paso County Courthouse. The museum initiated nearly $1.5 million project in 2005 and completed the work. The preservation activities focused on addressing roof leaks, restoring badly deteriorated decorative stonework, cleaning, and rehabilitation of masonry elements, metal repairs, and painting and treatment of doors and windows. This project was the first major exterior rehabilitation work on the courthouse structure since the 1970s, and the work ensures This project was the first major exterior rehabilitation work on the courthouse structure since the 1970s that the building will remain beautiful and in good repair for generations to come. The work was guided by the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Properties. Over 70% of the project funding was the result of grants from the State Historical Fund – History Colorado. These grants required matching funds that were provided by a number of organizations including the Gates Foundation, Boettcher Foundation, Downtown Partnership, the Ralph Giddings Charitable Trust, City of Colorado Springs Capital Improvement Project funding, and many individual donors. Working on molding As the exterior improvement project came to an end, the museum team was already turning their attention to interior improvements. Early in 2019, construction will take place on the restrooms to ensure that they comply with the standards established by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, the CSPM Board approved funding to plan future phases of construction that will ultimately result in more exhibition space and improved storage and work areas. Intricate work to maintain historical integrity MUSELETTER JAN 2019| PG 6
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT! Greater heights for 2019 at CSPM! We are excited to announce that we reached our matching grant goal this past giving season! Thanks to so many of you, IndyGive2018! and the Helen McCaffery Charitable Trust, we raised more than $30,000 to go towards our dynamic programming and compelling exhibitions. This critical support will help CSPM reach greater heights in sharing our unique history with the Colorado Springs community in 2019. MUSELETTER JAN 2019 | PG 7
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT! Barbara Bryant-Volunteer of the Month Barbara Bryant has served as a front desk volunteer for more than six years. Her love of history and exploring her family’s origins in Colorado in the 1870s inspired her to get involved with the museum. In her time with the museum, she has grown to love the old courthouse, wonderful exhibits and “the joy they bring to the people who come to learn about Colorado Springs.” Front desk volunteers are critical to our daily operation and do a wonderful job at helping guests feel welcome and informed. Jim Wahl, the museum’s Visitor Services Specialist, shared, “Barb has been a valuable front desk volunteer for many years now. She always goes the extra mile even switching a day to cover a vacated shift during the week when needed! Knowledgeable and friendly, Barb is one of the key reasons our customer experience scores continue to remain high. The museum is very fortunate to have Barb as a volunteer at the front desk!” We asked Barb to share her favorite story from Colorado history. Barb talked about her great great grandfather, Thomas Tarsney, who was an Adjutant General of the state of Colorado when the miners struck in Cripple Creek in 1894, “The Governor called out the militia led by Tarsney, who ended the strike by forcing the mine owners to disband their private army. After the strike was over, Tarsney was staying at the Alamo Hotel (now MacKenzie’s Chop House) when he was called to the lobby. He was abducted, taken to Austin Bluffs where he was tarred and feathered. Although those people were never found it is believed they had been hired by the mine owners.” Barb Bryant CSPM Volunteer, with husband Charlie When not supporting the front desk Barb enjoys time with family. Her husband, Charlie, is an Academy grad and a retired AF Colonel. Their oldest son is an attorney in Colorado Springs and youngest son, is the director of the Vanderbilt University Entrepreneur Center in Nashville. She loves spending time babysitting her two grandchildren in town and visiting her two grandchildren in Nashville. She enjoys traveling with her husband and attending Air Force and Bronco football games. MUSELETTER JAN 2019| PG 8
Congratulations Stephanie! Congratulations to Stephanie Prochaska becoming CSPM’s Archivist! Stephanie Prochaska, successfully passed the Academy of Certified Archivists’ exam, becoming a Certified Archivist. The Academy of Certified Archivists is an independent, nonprofit certifying organization of professional archivists. Individual members qualify for certification by meeting a series of defined professional standards. The exam covers seven key areas of the archival field including acquisition, arrangement and description, ethics, management, outreach, preservation, and reference services. Certified Archivists demonstrate a professional commitment to the archive field. In addition to her education and work experience, the skills and knowledge Stephanie gained from preparing for the exam further the CSPM’s mission. “We were delighted but certainly not surprised that Stephanie successfully completed the application and testing process to become a Certified Archivist on her first attempt.” said Leah DavisWitherow, Curator of History. “She is now recognized amongst her peers in the profession as having attained a significant level of training and practice while demonstrating her knowledge and competency in the field’s best practices. With these new skills and knowledge, we were thrilled to offer her the promotion to CSPM’s Archivist. We are extremely proud of both her ACA certification and the excellent work she does on a daily basis to preserve and make available the archival collections of the CSPM. Congratulations Stephanie!” Stephanie Prochaska, CSPM archivist MUSEUM STORE It’s the New Year, so come in and see what’s new! Two new books: Colorado Springs; A Changing Landscape by Donald Kallaus makes for an excellent coffee-table book, $40.00 TESLA; Inventor of the Modern by Richard Munson, $26.95 Colorado Wassail Company Enjoy either book while sipping on Wassail made by the Colorado Wassail Company, also available in the store to warm your winter! MUSELETTER JAN 2019| PG 9
CSPM HAPPENINGS Division 1 Courtroom Floor Refinished New Exhibit Francis Drexel Smith: A Legacy on Canvas Follow CSPM on social media!
For the past nine months, CSPM has been proud to feature, the League of Wives: Vietnam’s POW/MIA Allies and Advocates exhibit. “As we pack up the artifacts from the exhibition, we are reminded of how this important national story is extremely relevant to a community like ours, with its long history of military service and sacrifice,” said Leah Davis Witherow, Curator of History at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. The traveling exhibit, from the University of Kansas, Dole Institute of Politics, now moves on to its next venue at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. POW/MIA bracelets of loved ones worn by family members being packed by staff member, Christian Palma Holiday Lights at CSPM! Our Newest Exhibit Opening Soon (Dis)Information: American Indians Through The Lens of Roland Reed Opening on March 30, 2019
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