MUSEUM SPOTLIGHT LAUREL PRUD’HOMME – VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH Laurel has volunteered for the past 10 years in various roles from serving on the museum’s subcommittees to then joining the Board of Directors in August of 2017. When asked why she volunteers for the museum, Laurel stated, “I really believe in the mission of the museum, ‘to build a lasting connection to the Pikes Peak region by preserving and sharing our cultural history.’ It is an honor – and it’s fun – being part of an organization that does such a great job with programs, lectures, and exhibits that really bring our history to life, making our past relevant to our lives today.” “Laurel is a pleasure to work with. She brings a unique perspective to the Museum with her passion about history, her background in Marketing and her involvement with the Downtown community. I always appreciate the new ideas she brings to the Board and Marketing Committee. ” Diane Barber, Development Director. Laurel Prud’homme with service dog in training, Meeks Laurel shared a special memory of her time at the museum that happened long before she began volunteering, “As a high school student, I came with friends to see a jukebox exhibit – not exactly something you would expect from a local history museum – but it was FABULOUS. There were dozens of jukeboxes, lights glowing, and several in working order that you could play. Looking back, I realize it was probably the first time I ever went to a museum and was able to really interact and engage with an exhibit. To this day, I continue to be impressed by the innovative ways the museum displays and shares the unique stories of our past.” Laurel has always been interested in the role tuberculosis treatment played in the early days of our city, probably because that’s what brought her ancestors here in the late 1800s. Laurel’s great-aunt was born here in 1905, and she would tell her stories about being in school with, and then later teaching the children of some of the city’s founders. When her great-aunt was in her 90’s she could take her for a drive through the Old North End, where houses still have the sleeping porches designed for tuberculosis patients, and she’d point out which houses were boarding houses for single female teachers, which ones had prominent families, gossip of the day, and that sort of thing. It was always so exciting for Laurel to hear the first-hand account of what our city was like during that time period. Laurel’s career has always been in graphic design, marketing, and communications. She is currently the Vice President of Communications for Downtown Partnership, an organization that works to ensure the city’s center serves as the economic, civic and cultural heart of our region. Outside of work, she is a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence, an organization which provides highly trained dogs to recipients free of charge. She is currently raising Meeks, a yellow lab who accompanies her to museum meetings and events as part of his training to become a service dog. Laurel, we are truly grateful for all that you do for CSPM. Thank you! MUSELETTER MAR 2019| PG 8
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