Honoring: Dewey Dearing By: Matt Mayberry, CSPM Director The museum staff was sad to learn of the passing of Dewey Dearing on December 16, at age 92. Dewey played a major role in the history of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, and in particular in preserving the 1903 El Paso County Courthouse. Photo of Dewey Dearing In the late 1960s, a plan was approved to demolish the old courthouse once a new building was completed. A number of stalwart citizens worked tirelessly to save the elegant structure from the wrecking ball. In 1971, Dewey was part of a team of engineers and architects that provided pro bono services to analyze the feasibility of converting the building into the museum’s new home. This report concluded the courthouse and the museum were “ideally suited to each other; in fact they would enhance each other.” In October 1972, Dewey and his business partner Charles Byerly were hired with funding from the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission to create a plan for an orderly move of the museum collection, ascertain structural need, and develop a space utilization plan for the courthouse. With the help of this initial planning, the courthouse was saved from demolition in 1973. The building was deeded by El Paso County to the City of Colorado Springs for use as the museum’s new home. For nearly 30 years, Byerly and Dearing Architects guided the museum through numerous phases of renovation. In 2003, on the 100th anniversary of the completion of the building’s construction, the Museum staff and board presented Dewey with the CSPM’s Heritage Award. The award was for extraordinary service to the museum and the community. The award was a prized possession for Dewey, and one that he kept prominently displayed in his home studio. The preservation of the museum’s graceful architecture and gallery spaces is a testament to Dewey’s hard work and imagination. He was humble man and would be the first to say that many people were responsible for saving the courthouse. While that’s true, it’s appropriate to recall his unique role in the process. Because of him, generations of residents and visitor have and will continue to walk through our doors and learn about the history of the Pikes Peak region. Thank You, Dewey! pg. 5
6 Publizr Home