Museletter IGNITE your curiosity. DISCOVER your story. Motion Picture News, November 1921 FEBRUARY 2019 Archives
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATING WOMEN IN FILM This year, the museum will join the nation in celebrating Women’s History Month by exploring the legacy of women in film. Our history is rich with women who made a significant impact in the film industry, including some from the Pikes Peak Region. Marceline Day was one of the earliest woman actors from the Pikes Peak Region. Marceline Newlin was born in Colorado Springs on April 24, 1908 to Frank and Irene Newlin. When she began her filming career with her younger sister Alice in 1924, they changed their last name to Day. She performed alongside many notable actors including John Wayne, John Barrymore, and Lon Chaney. One of her most noteworthy films was her role in “The Cameraman”—a romantic comedy about a man hopelessly in love with a woman working at MGM studios. Fast-forward to one of Colorado Springs most iconic women in film, Cassandra Peterson who created the campy vampirelike creation Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Peterson was born in Manhattan, Kansas on September 17, 1951. When she was seven years old, the Peterson Family moved to Colorado Springs. After high school, Peterson became a showgirl in Las Vegas, then moved to Italy to sing in a pop-rock band. From these experiences, she created the character Elvira. E for Elvira display in the Story of Us exhibit When she moved back to L.A., she worked with a host of emerging talents including Adrienne Barbeau, Lorraine Newman, and Pee Wee Herman. Wondering when her time would come, Cassandra stated, “Finally the phone rang. I was working at the theater, doing auditions, starving- the usual stuff- when I got this call. They’d seen my work at the theater. They wanted a sexy comedienne to host a horror-movie-show in L.A.” – Cassandra’s 1983 Interview with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. The show was a huge hit and Peterson’s career took off as the popularity of her campy Elvira persona soared into America’s pop culture. Marceline Day & Lon Chaney MUSELETTER FEB 2019| PG 2
CSPM CELEBRATES WOMEN IN FILM SILENT FILM SOIREE ROARING 20’S THEME COSTUME PARTY|MARCH 22 Many women, like Marceline Day and Cassandra Peterson, made a significant impact in the filming industry. We are excited to highlight another influencer for this year’s Silent Film Soiree. Miss Lulu Bett is a 1921 comedy-drama based on the wildly successful novel and play by Zona Gale. This film is about a once-timid young woman who gains newfound confidence after a failed marriage. Gale was the first woman playwright to win the Pulitzer Prize for Miss Lulu Bett. Our history is rich with women who made a significant impact in the film industry, including some from the Pikes Peak Region. The Silent Film Soiree includes a silent film, VIP access to museum exhibits, light refreshments including 2 alcoholic beverages, a Roaring Twenties themed costume party and contest, photo booth and much more. LET’S CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY AT CSPM Early Bird Tickets Access (Before Feb. 22, tickets $25) For more information & tickets: >> Click here Includes: • VIP access to exhibits • Silent film Miss Lulu Bett, featuring the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra • Refreshments • Costume party contest, photo booth and more! Marceline Day in the Cameraman MUSELETTER FEB 2019| PG 3
UPCOMING EVENTS Black History Live: Maya Angelou Presented by: Becky Stone Friday, February 22 6:00 – 7:30 pm The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is a 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. $5 per person | Advanced Reservations Required About the Presenter: Becky Stone holds a B.A. in Drama from Vassar College and a M.A. from Villanova University in Elementary Educational Counseling. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Ms. Stone became a storyteller upon moving South 37 years ago. Her acting credits include Lime Kiln Arts Theater, VA, Warehouse Theatre, Greenville, SC, Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater, Asheville Community Theatre, Highland Repertory Theatre, Asheville Contemporary Dance Theater in Asheville and Merida, Mexico, and Asheville on Broadway. Ms. Stone has presented at North Carolina and Colorado Chautauqua festivals as Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks. School Programs: The daytime performance (10 – 11:30 am) is being scheduled for middle and high school groups only. Becky Stone presents Maya Angelou Contact Meg Poole, Program Coordinator, to reserve a spot for your students – 719-385-5631 or mpoole@springsgov.com (Free for students and teachers) Children’s History Hour – Charles Collins and the Horse Parade Wednesday, February 20 & Saturday, February 23 9:00 – 10:00 am In the late 1800s, Charles Collins, “The Riding Master” was known throughout the city of Colorado Springs for his superb horsemanship skills and his staged exhibitions to promote his riding school and stable. 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 Photo from the CS Pioneers Museum Collection Then, 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 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 FEB 2019| PG 4
UPCOMING EVENTS Bloomer Girl: Celebrating Women’s History Month Wednesday, March 20 & Saturday, March 30 9:00 – 10:00 am Children ages 3-6 and their favorite adult are invited to explore regional history through story time, a family-friendly tour, activity, and craft. 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. Silent Film Soiree: Roaring 20s Costume Party Friday, March 22 6:45 to 9:30 pm (Doors open at 6:45 pm, the film starts at 7:45 pm) Join CSPM for our third annual Silent Film Soiree! In honor of Women’s History Month featuring the 1921 comedy-drama Miss Lulu Bett, based on the wildly successful novel by author Zona Gale, the first woman Nuyplaywright to win the Pulitzer Prize. Enjoy the silent film and live accompaniment by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra in the beautiful 1903 El Paso County Courthouse. Included with admission is VIP access to museum exhibits, a Roaring Twenties themed costume party and contest, photo booth and more! The event is open to adults (21+). Tickets include 2 alcoholic beverages (beer or wine), soft drinks and a fruit, cheese, and dessert bar. Tickets: Pre-Sale - $25 (before Feb. 22), Advanced - $30, Door - $35 MUSEUM STORE The Museum Store has two new young adult books: 100 African-Americans Who Shaped American History by Chrisanne Beckner ($7.95) Bold & Brave; 10 Heroes who won Women the Right to Vote by Kirsten Gillibrand ($18.99) Handcrafted Poplar wood keepsake box $22.00 MUSELETTER FEB 2019| PG 5 Program at CSPM Buy online in advance & Save! Purchase Tickets: Click here SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT!
DID YOU KNOW? Visitor Experiences at CSPM As an institution, we strive for our visitors to create meaningful experiences here at CSPM. In 2018, we not only reached our highest visitation record in our long history, but many of our visitors shared how they enjoyed their time here. See what some of our visitors have to say about our dynamic programming and compelling exhibits: “We do this field trip every year and in my 10 years of coming to the museum, you improve the experience each year… thank you.” —Susan B. “This is the perfect place to learn about the colorful history of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak area.” – Harry C. “It is invaluable for students to have an actual experience which brings history to life right in front of them and not on a screen. To be able to put their hands on artifacts and see how/where people lived in the past gives them a better perspective of their history.” – Susan B. Leah Davis Witherow, Curator of History leading tour is Story of Us Exhibit “The Story of Us - so brilliant and eclectic. The displays were all interesting and informative. Honestly, I haven’t enjoyed a museum so thoroughly in as many years as I can remember.”—Hank A. “We’ve been in Colorado Springs for 5 years intending to visit the Pioneer Museum since we got here and we finally went. This museum shows you things you would never know about its founding, history, buildings, architecture, key people in its layout and development. The building is beautiful. Our tour guide added a lot with his knowledge of the area.” —Barbara M. Meg Poole, Program Coordinator leading school program tour MUSELETTER FEB 2019| PG 6
CSPM HAPPENINGS Volunteer Training Volunteer Training with Leah Witherow on Helen Hunt Jackson’s “A Home of One’s Own” Volunteer Training with Donald Tibbits on Violet Ray History Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Reception Museum Store updates Carpet removal & replacement Follow CSPM on social media! MUSELETTER FEB 2019 | PG 7
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