Museletter IGNITE your curiosity. DISCOVER your story. APRIL 2019 Dr. Philip Loomis with his award winning Iris ca. 1920 from the CSPM collection
CELEBRATING VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH During the month of April, CSPM joins the nation in celebrating our volunteers. We want to recognize over 100 individuals’ ongoing support and talents that contribute to the museum each and every day. Here is just a snapshot of the areas our volunteers support: • Warmly greeting guests at the Front Desk • Selling fascinating books and postcards in the Museum Store • Leading groups of 3rd graders in our Hands on History school program • Working on committees to support program development, fundraising, marketing and more • Connecting toddlers to history during Children’s History Hour • Middle and high school Junior Docents interpreting to the public during the summer • Writing the most popular Gazette section, the Back Pages • Making fun crafts with families at Family Fun Days • Taking photos at the Silent Film Soiree • Restocking food at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration • Leading guests on engaging tours throughout the building • Inventorying new donations of artifacts • Strategizing long term goals in Board meetings • Judging History Day projects for the Sprague Scholarship • Processing and transcribing manuscript materials Each year the Independent Sector releases an hourly value of volunteer time. While we have no trouble seeing the worth of our volunteer’s time, it is almost breathtaking to see the dollar amount of their contributions. For 2018, our volunteers committed 8,086 hours to the museum. The Independent Sector values a volunteer hour at $24.69, making the 2018 contribution $199,643! This is the equivalent of nearly 4 full-time staff members. It goes without saying that volunteers are critical to our mission and daily operations. Photo credits (in order top to bottom): Experiencing Cultural Crossroads, Helping kids enjoy games, Sharing Hands On History, Reading at Children’s History Hour MUSELETTER APR 2019| PG 2
On Saturday, April 6 we took the opportunity to “Espresso Our Gratitude” at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. We gathered to reflect on the year, share stories, recognize anniversaries and hours contributed, and finally to honor our Volunteer of the Year, Fran Worthington. You can learn more about Fran’s involvement in the Museum Spotlight section of this Newsletter. We hope you will join us in saying “Thank you!” to all of the wonderful people that support our efforts. Sharing Story of Us exhibit “I have the good fortune to work with many of the volunteers, but spend the most time with our docents and school program team. I am always amazed and inspired by our volunteer educator’s dedication to learning and growing. We have a lot of fun working together and appreciate their openness, humor and flexibility in an environment where no two days are the same!” - Meg Poole, Program Coordinator “Collections volunteers have provided valuable assistance caring for the museum’s collections by cataloging and helping with storage projects, such as removing covers from shelves at the museum’s offsite facility.” – Caitlin Sharpe, Registrar “I am so fortunate to work with our Board Members and committee volunteers. Many of them are members of the community and experts in their fields. I really appreciate how they always bring their perspective and ideas to the table. But most of all, I am amazed by their enthusiasm and dedication to the Museum! It truly is infectious, and we are able to do so much more because of them!” -Diane Barber, Development Director Interested in volunteering? Learn more at: www.cspm.org We appreciate our volunteers! MUSELETTER APR 2019| PG 3
UPCOMING EVENTS CHILDREN’S HISTORY HOUR Children ages 3-6 and their favorite adult are invited to explore regional history through story time, a family-friendly tour, activity, and craft. Reservations required. $3 suggested donation The Day the Crayons Quit Wednesday, April 17 & Saturday, April 27 9:00 – 10:00 am We’ll read “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt, sing songs. play color games and make a colorful craft. Historic Preservation Wednesday, May 15 & Saturday, May 25 9:00 – 10:00 am PIKES PEAK REGIONAL LECTURE SERIES Panel Discussion: A Celebration of Biking in Colorado Springs from Past to Present Saturday, April 20 2:00 – 3:00 pm Gear up for a discussion and celebration of the history, current state and future of biking in the Pikes Peak region. The panel will include Allen Beauchamp, Bike COS Engagement Committee Chair; Eric Metzger, McAllister House Museum Executive Director; Jolie NeSmith, PikeRide Executive Director; and Chris Mike, Antique Bike Collector. Claire Swinford, Urban Engagement Manager from the Downtown Partnership will guide panelists through this discussion. Reservations Required. $5 Suggested Donation PikeRide is offering free rides! Register for a free 24hr PikeRide, use coupon code “CycleCOS” at PikeRide.org or with the BCycle app. Contact PikeRide at 719-235-5862 AC Van Cott on Bicycle with Dog Cropped (c. 1900), from the CSPM Collection 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 MUSELETTER APR 2019| PG 4
HISTORY HAPPY HOUR: Vintage Game Night Wednesday, April 24 5:30 – 7:30 pm (drop-in program) For the museum’s inaugural “History Happy Hour” guests are invited to an evening of vintage games. Bring your friends and enjoy a variety of board games related to different eras of Pikes Peak regional history. As a drop-in program guests welcome to come at any time between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets include after- hours museum and event admission, alcoholic beverages, and plenty of game snacks. $10 ticket (admission, 1 alcoholic drink, snacks, exhibits) $15 ticket (admission, 2 alcoholic drinks, snacks, exhibits) Ticket Link: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/HHHgames PIKES PEAK REGIONAL HISTORY LECTURE SERIES: Finders Keepers: Exploring the Underworld of Ancient Artifacts Presented by Craig Childs Saturday, May 11 2:00 – 3:00 pm When you see an artifact in a museum, do you know where it came from, if it was smuggled by illicit diggers, sold at auction, picked up by archaeologists? If you see an artifact on the ground and you take it in your hands, what do you do next? This presentation by popular author, Craig Childs will be a rough and tumble exploration of these questions, a journey through ancient objects and what we do with them. Reservations Required. $5 Suggested Donation. Book sale & signing to follow. YOUNG CHAUTAUQUA EXPERIENCE Saturday, May 11 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Throughout the lobby of CSPM interact with local students from the Academic Arts Academy at Eagleview Middle School and Manitou Middle School as they educate and entertain with an authentic, firstperson portrayal of their chosen character. Free and open to the public-no RSVP necessary! Visit our New Exhibit: [Dis]Information: American Indians Through the Lens of Roland Reed Now through March 28, 2020 (open during regular museum hours) MUSELETTER APR 2019| PG 5
DID YOU KNOW? At the beginning of April, the CSPM is up for reaccreditation! Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum staff welcomed the American Alliance of Museums’ Accreditation Team for a visit. For months, the staff has been preparing to show and tell the reviewers about the Museum and its many accomplishments. The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is a professional association that develops standards and best practices for our field. Since 1971, AAM offers highprofile, peer-based validation of operations and impact for institutions across the country. We are proud that the CSPM has been recognized as an accredited museum since 1992. Fewer than 3% of the nation’s museums are accredited. Reaccreditation reception at Garden of the Gods Visitor Center We look forward to hearing their evaluation in August! MUSEUM STORE Jewelry -Books - Artisans Unique local gifts for all history lovers. Shop local artisans, books, and gifts all inspired by the regional history! Springtime Reading & Gifts: • “The Best Colorado Springs Hikes” ($14.95) • “The Dust Within The Rock - A Novel”, by Frank Waters ($22.95) • “The People Shall Continue”, by Simon J. Ortiz ($10.95) • Hand-painted necklaces and keychains by local artist, Julie Malfitaro ($30.00) MUSELETTER APR 2019| PG 6
MEET THE CSPM FAMILY Individuals, corporations and foundations make up our Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (CSPM) family. They come together to provide vital support to building a lasting connection to the Pikes Peak Region by preserving and sharing our cultural history at CSPM. Meet a member of the CSPM family—Herman Tiemens II. Herman is a Senior Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo and his family formed the Tiemens Foundation. We asked him a few questions about his support of the Museum. What started the Tiemens Foundation? “I moved to the Colorado Springs area in 2006. As a new person in town, I was looking for ways to be a part of the community. I have a passion for the arts, and I decided to focus my community support on our Region’s cultural sector. As that focus sharpened over the years, my family eventually formed the Foundation to support local arts organizations. Why do you feel the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is important to support? “The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is the only organization solely focusing on the history of the region. I feel that the museum plays a very important and unique role in our community and I wanted to support their efforts.” Do you have a favorite past exhibit? “Yes, the League of Wives was one of my favorites. I know Helene Knapp well from my involvement with other arts organizations and I was lucky enough to get a personal tour of the exhibit while it was showing. I was not only fascinated by the story, but her personal connection to it as well.” Thank you Herman, Tiemens Foundation and Wells Fargo! We appreciate your support as a corporate sponsor and a member of the Clock Tower Society. We look forward to welcoming them as a sponsor again for our upcoming Gift of History Breakfast in August 2019! Be a part of our family Together, we can help people discover what our community has been, what it is today and what it can be in the future. “We invite you to join our efforts in keeping our community’s history alive. Join the CSPM family today! Learn more click here MUSELETTER APR 2019| PG 7
MUSEUM SPOTLIGHT FRAN WORTHINGTON – VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Each year the museum staff has the challenging and rewarding task of selecting a Volunteer of the Year. If you have attended our programs, been welcomed by a front desk volunteer, browsed the Museum Store, or interacted with the museum in any other way, you have felt the impact of our incredible volunteers. You can imagine how difficult it is to choose just one person! For 2018, we decided to focus on the contributions to our school and family programs. One individual in particular stood out for her ongoing dedication, priceless knowledge, problem solving skills, and her passion for connecting children to museums and history. Our 2018 Volunteer of the Year is Fran Worthington! Fran joined the museum as a volunteer in the fall of 2015. After retiring from Fountain Fort Carson District 8 with a dedicated career as a first grade teacher and Library Media Specialist, she missed children. Like many of our retired educators, she was looking for her “kid fix” – the opportunity to connect with and positively impact children with education. She also wanted an outlet to meet new people and contribute to her community. Fran quickly jumped in as a school program volunteer. She has mastered four of our Hands on History stations, and is always willing to help the museum education team think of new and exciting ways to engage visiting students. With her knowledge and comfort level with the content, Fran has been asked to help train other volunteers and new staff members. We’re also fortunate to have Fran as a regular fixture in our youth and family programs. She leads our Children’s History Hour program for toddlers each month. Through singing songs, reading children’s picture books, and making special crafts she’s helped our youngest visitors connect to the past. Fran is enthusiastic to help us plan crafts and find just the right book for a program! She has taken on extra responsibilities and is always willing to cover an opening in the schedule. We are so glad she chose us four years ago! In addition to her time with the museum, Fran is a long-time and active member of the Velvet Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines. She also enjoys traveling, walking and reading. She has been married to her husband Bill for over 34 years and has a daughter who is a military spouse currently living in Florida. Join us in congratulating Fran on this well-deserved honor. Thank you for everything, Fran! WELCOME TO CSPM! The museum is thrilled to welcome Makaela Worden as our new parttime Education Assistant. In her role, Makaela’s primary responsibility will be to support our Hands on History school program. This summer she will transition to the Junior Docent program where she will help manage a team of 30 middle and high school students as they interpret regional history throughout the museum. Makaela Worden, Education Assistant Please join us in welcoming Makaela! MUSELETTER APR 2019| PG 8
Do you know a middle or high school student that loves history and is looking for a summer activity? The CSPM Junior Docent Program seeks students entering grades 6 through 12 who have an interest in learning and sharing local history. Participants are trained to become educators and guides for visitors to the museum during the summer months. Young people have the opportunity to interact with the history of the Pikes Peak region while developing important interpersonal and communication skills. Visit to learn more and apply! Click here >> http://www.cspm.org/junior-docent-program Applications are due May 4 Questions? Contact Meg Poole at: (719) 385-5631 or mpoole@springsgov.com
CSPM HAPPENINGS Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast 2019 CSPM Junior Docents 10 & 15 Year Anniversary Evelyn Helm celebrated her 10 year anniversary with the museum and Shirley Kempke celebrated 15 years! Selah and Ann – Hours Sisters Selah and Ann Chipman were honored for providing over 180 hours of service in 2018 5 Year Anniversary Ann Chipman, Kathy Lindeman, and Judy Cross celebrated their 5 year anniversary of volunteering Silent Film Soiree - Miss Lulu Bett MUSELETTER MAR 2019| PG 10
CSPM HAPPENINGS [Dis]Information: American Indians Through the Lens of Roland Reed (Photography by 3 Peaks Photography) Leah Davis-Witherow speaking to students about museum careers. City of Colorado Springs Ticket to Success Program: Twenty 7th graders from around the city visited CSPM to learn about museum careers. [Dis]Information Panel Discussion Follow CSPM on social media! Diane Barber discussing museum careers with students MUSELETTER MAR 2019| PG 11
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