Museletter IGNITE your curiosity. DISCOVER your story. JUNE 2019 Pikes Peak Auto Highway/Ute Pass, ca. 1917
CSPM is bursting at the seams with summer programs and events full of learning opportunities! Even though the recent snow storms might lead us to believe differently, summer has finally arrived! The museum is pleased to announce a full summer of family friendly activities. With so much going on, we couldn’t imagine offering these programs without the support of our Junior Docents. Each May we select middle and high school students to act as interpreters of regional history for the museum. Thirty Junior Docents will support our Sensing History program, Family Weekend Workshops, Children’s History Hour and Colorado Grown Family Fun Day. We are excited to welcome our largest class of Junior Docents for 2019! Drop-in Tuesdays through Saturdays anytime between 10 am and 2 pm and explore our exhibits through a new perspective. Junior Docents will offer hands-on activities, show interesting artifacts and engage guests in conversations throughout the museum. Children’s groups are welcome to schedule a guided version of the program at least two weeks in advance. Are you interested in taking a deeper dive into local history? Sign-up the family (children 6+) for a Weekend Workshop. Five Saturdays throughout June and July the museum will offer two 45 minute workshops highlighting different local history topics (Session #1: 10:15 - 11:00 am & Session #2: 1:00 - 1:45 pm). We’ll learn basic quilting techniques, experiment with regional recipes, and experience an average day in the life of a tuberculosis patient in 1917. Junior Docents sharing the Story of Us MUSELETTER JUNE 2019| PG 2
Adults looking for a history outing will enjoy our “Story of Us” Downtown Walking Tours. Offered Saturday, July 13 at 10 am, these tours will explore the history of the area by connecting the landscape and geography with the cultural landmarks of our community. Space is limited and guests are encouraged to purchase their $5 tickets in advance online. We’ll end the summer with a celebration of Colorado’s 144th birthday at the Colorado Grown Family Fun Day! On Saturday, July 27 from 10 am to 2 pm guests are invited to discover local history and identity through tours, Hands on History stations, and local history exhibits. Be sure to head outside for a free concert by award-winning acoustic variety band, Wirewood Station. There will also be food truck options, a Colorado craft soda tasting station, and activity booths. Don’t miss the 12 pm “Happy Birthday” sing-along and be sure to grab a slice of cake! This is only a snapshot of our upcoming summer programs. Continue reading to see all of our offerings, including Vintage Game Night, Food Truck Tuesdays and much more! 2019 Junior Docent Program presented by D.A. Davidson McCarty Brown Eden Financial Advisor Group Thank you D.A. Davidson for inspiring the next generation of museum educators!
UPCOMING EVENTS Story of Us Walking Tour Saturday, July 13 10:00 – 11:15 am The Story of Us: The Pikes Peaks Region from A – Z helps us to explore the history of the area by connecting the landscape and geography with the cultural landmarks that help form our community. Enjoy a 75 minute walking tour that goes from the museum to Platte Avenue. While all ages are welcome, this tour is designed for an adult audience. (Pre-registration required) Family Weekend Workshops Saturdays, June 22, 29 and July 13 Session #1: 10:15 – 11:00 am & Session #2: 1:00 – 1:45 pm An interactive “Sensing History” experience for families! Enjoy a family- friendly exhibit program, a craft in the Makers Space, experiment, or fun activity highlighting regional history. Recommended for ages 6+. (Pre-registration required) June 22: City of Sunshine June 29: Order in the Court July 13: Mission Exploration Children’s History Hour Urban Nature Adventure Wednesday, June 19 & Saturday, June 29 10:00 – 11:00 am Let’s find nature in the city! We’ll read The Curious Garden by Peter Brown and go on a scavenger hunt adventure inside and outside the museum as we look for nature in our past and present! We’ll make our own mini egg carton gardens to take home. Children ages 3-6 (Reservations required) History Happy Hour: Vintage Game Night, 21+ only Thursday, June 20, 5:30 – 7:30 pm Reminisce by playing beloved games dating from the 1800s to the 1980s – Bring your friends for beer, board games and a blast to the past. Buy advance tickets and save! Food Truck Tuesdays Are Back! Every Tuesday through October 29, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm Join us for your lunch hour, and come by around 12 or 12:30 for a free, 10-min history tour! Click here and SAVE! >> TICKETS Please RSVP for events by: www.cspm.org/rsvp-for-an-event or 719-385-5990 Museum Hours: Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm MUSELETTER JUNE 2019| PG 4 $5 Tickets Click Here>>TICKETS
AUGUST 21 Become a Table Captain The Gift of History Breakfast We are excited to announce our annual Gift of History Breakfast will be on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 7:30 a.m.! The breakfast is the museum’s largest fundraising event of the year with a one-hour program to highlight CSPM’s impact on visitors and share our goals for the organization’s future. Last year, more than 550 people attended, and we want to introduce even more people to the Museum’s mission, exhibits and programs. To accomplish this ambitious goal, we depend on our enthusiastic table captains to make this event a success. Table captains are ambassadors and invite nine of their friends, neighbors and colleagues to join them at the free breakfast. Are you interested in being a table captain at the Gift of History Breakfast? Contact Diane Barber Stine, Development Director to learn more. Email: Diane.Stine@coloradosprings.gov Phone: 719-385-5633 MUSELETTER JUNE 2019| PG 5
DID YOU KNOW? A Salute to the Flag of the United States of America - Flag Day June 14 By: Chrys Fotenos, CSPM Board Member and Archives Volunteer I have had the pleasure of transcribing and learning about the many great works by the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. The organization was formed in 1881 for the purpose of supporting the Civil War Comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic in their needs and showing respect to these Veterans at their burials. The organization also prioritized the teaching of patriotism and respect to our Flag. I have included below a few samples of their work and their commitment to the United States of America and our Flag. DID YOU KNOW? “Though we are the youngest and greatest nation, our flag is the oldest. June 14, 1777, our flag was officially born! The British Union Jack started in 1801; the French tricolor in 1794. German, Italian and Spanish banners are all younger than the “Stars and Stripes.” From: The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic Atlantic City, New Jersey - 1910 On May 30, 1916 President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill to honor our Flag on June 14, every year. In 1918, the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic published a pamphlet that was distributed throughout the country to all citizens, especially to school children. This was a major focus of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic from 1916 until today. (An excerpt from an abbreviated version of this pamphlet are shown) In closing, as Flag Day nears, let us remember what it stands for and what it means to our great country... It is your Flag and my Flag, And, oh, how much it holds – Your land, and my land, Secure within in its folds, Your heart, and my heart Beat quicker at its sight, Sun kissed and wind tossed The Red, the Blue, the White, The One Flag – the Great Flag – the Flag for me and you Glorified – all else beside the Red, the WHITE, the BLUE. The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic Saint Paul Minnesota 1933 MUSELETTER JUNE 2019| PG 6
By: Leah Davis Witherow, Curator of History We need your input! The CSPM exhibits team is currently working on the design, research, and development of our newest exhibit which will open on Saturday, September 24, 2019. Titled, Evidence: Finding the Facts About General William Jackson Palmer & Family, the exhibit will encourage visitors to examine newly unearthed archeological evidence along with extensive archival materials to test assumptions, challenge myths and gain new insights into Palmer and his family. To that end, we need your assistance in gathering information and answering questions. •What do you most want to know about General Palmer? •What do you most want to know about Queen Palmer? •What do you most want to know about Elsie, Dorothy or Marjory Palmer? •If you could tell one story in the exhibit, what would it be? •What’s the worst or most outrageous story you’ve ever heard about the General or his family? •Do you have a favorite Palmer Family artifact from the CSPM collections? Why? •Anything else? Please send your answers to Leah via email: Leah.Witherow@ColoradoSprings.gov Thanks so much! MUSELETTER JUNE 2019| PG 7
MUSEUM SPOTLIGHT Bryan Wheeler June 2019 Volunteer of the Month The museum is excited to recognize Bryan Wheeler as the June Volunteer of the Month! Bryan started volunteering with the museum in May of 2018 as a University of Colorado Colorado Springs intern in the archives. Bryan came to us from the History Department and expressed his interest in the region’s tuberculosis history. Knowing his passion for regional history, his internship focused on inventorying the archival collection. After he completed his required hours, Bryan asked to stay on and to continue his work on the project. Bryan’s enthusiasm for history and passion for the museum was apparent to Stephanie Prochaska, Museum Archivist, and the project continued. “Bryan understands how the materials are used as well as the importance of getting them into our database to provide access,” Stephanie stated. Bryan came across all types of archival items, including photograph albums, ephemera, business correspondence and diaries to name a few. Reflecting on the materials he worked with, Bryan said: “I get so excited every time I get to read some one’s story.” In addition to working on archival inventory, Bryan joined the museum’s Acquisitions Committee. Bryan stated he feels lucky to be on the Committee because it “is a side of the museum [he] never thought of!” The museum partners with local institutions to provide real museum experience to students. We asked Bryan to reflect on his experience in the internship program and, now, as a volunteer: “Understanding the field of Museum work has been one of the greatest skills I have gained. I have worked with passionate and highly motived individuals that show me what good museum work looks like. I have very little exposure to the field prior to my internship, but over the past year, I have learned more than I could have ever thought- from preservation to exhibition, how a museum acquires the items and deaccessioning, and how a non-profit museum is able to run.” Bryan will be starting his Master’s Program in History this fall and would like to get his PhD in the future. His work in the Archives helped prepare the museum for the American Alliance of Museum’s Accreditation visit as well as provide better database records for access. Thank you Bryan for sharing your time and talents with the museum! MUSEUM STORE While you tour the wonderful exhibits at the Museum, make sure to take a turn through our Museum Store for a delightful array of books and unique regional gifts!
HAPPENINGS Junior Docents 2019 Training on June 1, 2019 Instagram followers were asked to find William Seymour’s sculpture during National Scavenger Hunt Day. Family enjoying First Saturday of Family Weekend Workshop Food Truck Tuesdays & Happy Diners Craig Childs Presentation Ready for Facebook Live Event Craig Childs-Finders Keepers Book Lecture on May 11, 2019
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