FEBRUARY 2018 Painting of Maxine Stores, Courtesy of Bill Duryea CELEBRATING National Women’s History Month at CSPM Sankofa Culture Day - March 10
THE STORY OF SANKOFA By: Leah Davis Witherow, CSPM Curator of History As part of CSPM’s March 2018 celebration of National Women’s History Month, we are thrilled to announce our latest Story of Us theme, S= Sankofa. The new digital exhibit will be unveiled on Saturday, March 10th during Sankofa Culture Day at the Museum. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. we will be celebrating the work of Sankofa by featuring music, dance, storytelling, traditional foods, crafts and more. In July 1992, five women of African and Caribbean heritage living in Colorado Springs; 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. They 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. Sankofa’s passion and commitment to sharing the richness and beauty of the African and Caribbean heritage with a positive spirit, pride, diversity, and unity was an immense success. CELEBRATING National Women’s History Month Sankofa Culture Day March 10th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Story of Us theme, S=SANKOFA Sponsored in part by: MUSELETTER FEBRUARY 2018| PG 2
The women’s initial mentor was Baba Adetunji Joda who traveled from Denver, Colorado for training and sharing of his Nigerian culture. By learning and embracing these traditions, the group soon attracted several other members to join the Sankofa movement, including Evelyn Taylor, Lydia Davidson, Jill Johnson, Terrell Yarborough and Malissa Billingsley. They also trained with legendary teachers such as Babatunde Olatunji (Nigeria), “Kwasi” (Ghana), Marie Basse Wiles (Senegal), and others from Zimbabwe, Trinidad and The Congo. They traveled to workshops in New York, NY, Washington, DC, Boulder, CO, Santa Rosa, CA, Miami, FL, Santa Fe, and Taos, NM. For two decades Sankofa performed throughout the Pikes Peak region through partnerships with Imagination Celebration and Performing Arts Youth Organization. Sankofa held African dance movement classes on the West side of Colorado Springs for several years and connected with drummers throughout the Colorado Springs community who shared the same passion for African dance, music, and drumming. The drummers who performed with the rhythms, style and Sankofa experience were Stephan Griffin, Fatu Lady Drummer Henderson, and Tony Panton of Denver; and Stuart Dinwoodie, William Dinwoodie, Crystal Bliss, Tenia Lucas, Ron Cousar, and Mitzi Pasternik of Colorado Springs, along with a host of others who would join in the performances or workshops. Sankofa has proven since 1992 that keeping cultural awareness alive, being open to learning, sharing, educating others, expanding knowledge of our history and serving as cultural ambassadors in our global communities are a part of what we contribute as a continuous legacy. CSPM is excited to be partnering with Sankofa to collect and share their stories, their artifacts and their history in the Pikes Peak region. We hope you will join us Saturday, March 10th for a wonderful day of music, dancing and culture not to be missed. MUSELETTER FEBRUARY 2018| PG 3
UPCOMING EVENTS SILENT FILM SOIREE: ROARING 20S COSTUME PARTY & KIDS NIGHT OUT Friday, February 16th (6:45 pm - 9:30 pm) Join CSPM for the second annual Silent Film Soiree featuring a screening of the rare 1920’s classic “The Cameraman,” accompanied live by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra playing the score. Guests will also enjoy exclusive access to the “Behind the Lens” exhibit, a Roaring 20s themed costume party, photobooth and more! Tickets include 2 alcoholic beverages (beer or wine), soft drinks and a dessert bar. While parents enjoy the festivities, children are invited to CSPM’s Kids Night Out featuring refreshments, crafts, activities, access to the children’s exhibit and a children’s movie screening. Reservations and Advanced Ticketing Required Silent Film Soiree (Adults Ages 21+): $35 (nonmembers), $25 (members) Kids Night Out (Children Ages 4-12): $15 (nonmembers), $10 (members) CHILDREN’S HISTORY HOUR: (AGES 3-6) WINTER OLYMPICS Wednesday, February 21st and Saturday, February 24th (10:30 am – 11:30 am) Families are invited to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum for a history adventure on the third Wednesday and last Saturday of each month! Children ages 3-6 will enjoy story time, a family-friendly exhibit tour, and crafts and activities. This program will explore a new theme each month. February’s theme is Winter Olympics! Reservations Encouraged. $3 Suggested Donation. SANKOFA CULTURE DAY Saturday, March 10 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is pleased to announce a new collection and documentation project focusing on the work of Sankofa, a group founded in 1992 to preserve and promote cultural awareness of the African diaspora in the Rocky Mountain Region. Since the group’s inception, the six founding women of African/Caribbean heritage combined their talents to carry out this mission through authentic African dance performances, arts & crafts workshops, storytelling and community involvement. The museum is hosting Sankofa Culture Day to celebrate the work of this organization. The event will feature music, dance, storytelling, traditional foods, crafts and more. Reservations Encouraged. Donations Welcome. MUSELETTER FEBRUARY 2018 | PG 4
EXHIBIT OPENING The League of Wives: Vietnam’s POW/MIA Allies and Advocates Saturday, March 24th “The League of Wives: Vietnam’s POW/MIA Allies & Advocates,” tells the story of the military wives who founded the organization that would later become the National League of POW/MIA Families. The exhibit will feature documents, artifacts, oral histories, multimedia, and regionally specific components. This important national story is extremely relevant to the Pikes Peak region, which has a long history of military service and sacrifice. Colorado Springs Vice-Mayor (and later Mayor) Larry Ochs worked closely with Helene Knapp, a local and national leader in the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, to advocate for and support the Vietnam-era POW/MIA families in Colorado Springs. Photo credit: Associated Press CSPM is honored to be able to bring this exhibit to the Pikes Peak region and excited to work with the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics to raise awareness of this significant era in American History. Please RSVP for these events: www.cspm.org/rsvp-for-an-event/ or call 719-385-5990 HISTORIC PRESERVATION ALLIANCE OF COLORADO SPRINGS WINTER LECTURE SERIES: THE BROADMOOR ART ACADEMY (for more information see details below) The Broadmoor Art Academy: The Art Speaker: Blake Wilson, Owner of The Art Bank Thursday, March 8th, 6:00 pm First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 1515 N Cascade Avenue The Broadmoor Art Academy: The Characters Speaker: Leah Davis Witherow, CSPM Curator of History Thursday, April 12th, 6:00 pm First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 1515 N Cascade Avenue The Broadmoor Art Academy: Evolution Speaker: Chuck Benson, Architectural Historian and Consultant Tuesday, May 8th, 6:00 pm Penrose House (Carriage House), 1661 Mesa Avenue Visit hpasprings.com or email Al Rohr at rohrhpa@comcast.net for more information MUSELETTER FEBRUARY 2018 | PG 5
By Stephanie Prochaska, Assistant Archivist Marceline Newlin was born in Colorado Springs on April 24, 1908 to Frank and Irene Newlin. They lived at 606 ½ East Cache La Poudre. Frank was a clerk at Wells Fargo & Co Express (118 East Pikes Peak Avenue). Shortly after her birth, the Newlin family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Marceline and her sister Alice changed their last names to “Day” when they began their acting careers. Marceline’s film debut was with her sister in the 1924 film Picking Peaches. Marceline performed with John Wayne, Buster Keaton, John Barrymore, and Lon Chaney Though Marceline’s acting career was short, she appeared in 64 films from 19241933. She performed alongside actors such as John Wayne, Buster Keaton, John Barrymore, and Lon Chaney. After she left acting, Marceline lived a quiet life in California. She died at age 91 in 2000. Marceline Day and Lon Chaney filming The Big City On February 16, the museum will be featuring Marceline Day’s silent film, The Cameraman, accompanied by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra! Unidentified men in front of Wells Fargo, 118 E Pikes Peak Avenue, ca 1915 MUSELETTER FEBRUARY 2018 | PG 6
Presents the 2nd Annual Silent F Roaring 20s Costume Party & Kids Night Out Featuring a Screening of the 1920’s Silent Classic “The Cameraman” Accompanied LIVE by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra Friday, February 16th Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum • 215 S Tejon Street Doors open at 6:45 PM • Film begins at 7:30 PM Film & Costume Party $35 Non Members • $25 Members 1920s Themed Costume Party Film & Live Performance “Behind the Lens” Exhibit 2 Drink Tickets (Beer & Wine) Soft Drinks & Dessert Bar Photobooth Kids Night Out $15 Non Members • $10 Members Child Supervision Beverages & Snacks Crafts Activities Children’s Exhibit Children’s Movie Space is Limited! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cspm.org or call 719.385.5990
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT! BOB CLEVELAND This month, CSPM recognizes the service of Bob Cleveland. Bob began volunteering in early 2016. Meg Poole, Program Coordinator, recalls meeting Bob for the first time, “Bob shared that he was retired military and that he didn’t have a lot of experience working with kids. It just so happened that our greatest need was for volunteers to support our school programs. I’ll never forget the look on Bob’s face! It was out of his comfort zone but he was up for the challenge. This has been his attitude from day one and we are fortunate to have him.” Bob explained that he enjoyed CSPM from his first visit. His interests in the 19th and 20th centuries, American Indians, homesteaders, soldiers and self-made business leaders are well aligned with the stories told in the exhibits at CSPM. “I have always loved history and hoped that I could pass on to someone else...the same feeling and ignite in them a passion,” Bob explained. Although Bob had initial reservations about working with school children, he has succeeded in connecting with the students. He recalled, “It was in Cultural Crossroads that I found that the children did listen closely and the craft activity was something that they loved to do.” Through stories and activities, Bob was able to teach students about how American Indians provided for their basic needs through natural resources and trade. Bob went on, “[The students’] enthusiasm was the reward for me. I have been a docent in two other museums in California, but I have not felt as much satisfaction as here.” Bob has worked in many areas in the museum, but his favorite story is that of Fannie Mae Duncan and the Cotton Club. He explained that her story “gives inspiration to me that the country will evolve to get closer to the ‘all men are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights’ standard cited by Thomas Jefferson. That this one woman created, in the time of segregation, a place where all people could come and enjoy music and convinced a law enforcement official to not stop her is a most hopeful sign to me.” When not volunteering at CSPM, Bob enjoys his time with his wife of 43 years. They are both retired and love giving back to their community, “Helping those who need our help is our only work.” Bob also has two sons, one who followed in his footsteps and serves in the Army, and one who is currently studying computers and cyber security. For fun, Bob loves to travel, shoot rifles and pistols, and fly-fish. He is also learning photography and loves to read about history. MUSELETTER FEBRUARY 2018| PG 8
MUSEUM STORE Gifts Artisans Jewelry Books For history buffs who have worn out their copy, “Money Mountain: The Story of Cripple Creek Gold” by Marshall Sprague has been reprinted and is available in the museum store! For photography lovers, the museum store is now carrying “For Purple Mountains; Colorado: A Journey of the Senses,” featuring the photography of Barbara Sparks. At $45.00, this photo book makes a great gift for anyone who appreciates the beauty of Colorado. Store Hours Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:45 pm CSPM members receive a 10% discount at the museum store! Partner Spotlight MUSELETTER FEBRUARY 2018| PG 9
CSPM HAPPENINGS Matt Mayberry, Museum Director, leads a discussion at Volunteer Training Stephanie Prochaska, Assistant Archivist, gave a lecture on John Coughlin’s Zoo Park Volunteer Jessica Green reads to kids at Children’s History Hour School group waiting outside the museum Receiving a collection of artifacts that will help tell the story of Sankofa MUSELETTER JANUARY 2018| PG 9 MUSELETTER FEBRUARY 2018| PG 10
1 Publizr