My favorite memory of the Pioneers Museum involves the first date with my first real girlfriend. I can remember those sharp pangs of emotion and the heart-racing excitement as we stole away into the quiet corners of the old courthouse. That relationship shifted gears, but I'm still in love with the Pioneers Museum.
It's etched deeply into my conception of Colorado Springs and is–without a doubt–the most visible cultural and historic treasure we have.
I remember first hearing Colorado College's incredible Bowed Piano Ensemble in a concert in the Pioneers Museum courtroom. It was incredible. I had never seen or heard music made that way, and the exquisite setting was just the perfect touch for that experience.
I also remember the rather recent exhibits from the Pike Bicentennial celebration. The exhibit featuring historic and contemporary depictions of Pikes Peak was breath-taking, and I especially loved the commissioned work by Tracy Felix. I also learned so much from the concurrent exhibit on the history of tourism in our region and how we have promoted our city as a natural and cultural gem through the decades.
Every time I go to the Pioneers Museum I learn so much about my community, and the staff and curators do an amazing job of making the history of this region relevant to me as a 21st century resident of the city. I just love taking visitors to this musuem!
Our family moved to CS in 1974 and we were anxious to find out the history of the area. We went to the CSPM which was then located on Kiowa and enjoyed the many displays. I signed a volunteer form and hope to get involved...did I ever! I was called within days and I have been volunteering in various ways at the Museum ever since! I have learned so much about our community and met so many wonderful people!
A particular fond memory was getting to know Wm. C. Henderson, former mayor of CS. He had stories about the Pikes Peak region that not only fascinated me but also our children. His stories encouraged them to do their History Day projects on local personalities and our daughter earned a two trips to the National Competition at the University of Maryland. Mr. Henderson was honored by having the CSPM History Day Competition named for him. This program is in its 26th year and it has honored many outstanding students that know what a "gem" the CSPM is to all of us.
The El Paso County Pioneers Association formed the beginnings of the Pioneers Museum in 1896. The city of Colorado Springs accepted the collection in 1941 and pledged to keep "our history" alive with a city museum. It started at the "old courthouse" and then moved to Kiowa. In 1976, a community campaign was started to save the courthouse and move the museum back to where it started. This successful campaign included all members of the community including the school children that raised funds with pennies...our family participated in this at Helen Keller Elementary. IT WAS A SUCCESS! Thanks to everyone's efforts we have a beautiful place to view what our region is all about!
In these difficult times, we need to make our city leaders aware of it committment to its citizens...we are only as good as our history...be it in the past, today or in the future! Let's not lose the right to share what a beautiful and unique place Colorado Springs was, is and can become!
I moved to Colorado Springs 6 years ago and knew nothing about the region's history. The first place I visited was the museum. Right there in the exhibit cases were magical names like Palmer, Van Briggle, Stratton and Penrose: pioneers who did their best to give this city a good and noble history.
Those pioneers speak to you and I today through a wonderful staff that works very hard to show you how they lived and what they endured to get us where we are. This gorgeous building houses a nationally known collection of historic items valued in the millions of dollars. These treasures do not take care of themselves. It takes an unbelievable amount of work to collect, house and interpret this history for the benefit of us all, including thousands of school children and out-of-town visitors every year. Talent and knowledge like that is irreplaceable.
The museum is a destination of choice for the military personnel that call our city home: for whom we are responsible and it is all free.
It has always been my belief that you cannot know where you are going in life unless you know and learn from where you have been. The museum teaches us where we have been. Thanks for an absolutely wonderful time, my friends. Your loss would create a huge void; a history that would never return. We can't lose you. Jan
I visited the Pioneers Museum for the first time by accident as a CC first-year student wandering around downtown. At the jaded age of 18, I was completely astonished to discover the wealth of surprising and delightful artifacts, paintings and other treasures inside.
Since then, it has become one of my favorite cultural institutions. My favorite memories include celebrating Mozart's 250th birthday at a grand party in the museum and hearing a fantastic concert in the courtroom (what phenomenal acoustics!), taking my sister and brother-in-law for a tour and cringing at the archaic dental instruments, and attending many meetings in the various community rooms. It's always such a distinct pleasure to step foot in the building.
I moved to Colorado Springs in 1997, to teach archaeology at UCCS. I fell in love with the Pioneers Museum the first time I went there, and can't get there often enough. Not only do I appreciate it in a very personal way - bringing family and friends there when they visit - but it is also important to me in a professional way. I have had many students - to many to name - who have accomplished internships there, or have been employed there, or both. The staff is professional and dedicated and the students get a wonderful education. I hope it stays around for another hundred years, at the very least!
For our city council to even have the thought of closing the museum and letting go of staff is disgusting. It is evident more and more that the powers that be in this community do not care about our history.
1. For my master's thesis on the early days of Memorial Hospital, I did research in the Pioneer Museum archives. This resource was key for my work, and I couldn't have completed the thesis without it.
2. When I was a Brownie, we took a field trip to the Museum at its old location. We had great fun looking through the displays an exhibits, especially anything that reminded us of Laura Ingalls.
3. When I bring my boys to the Museum, they like anything to do with guns or gold.
4. As a local writer, I can't imagine not having access to the Helen Hunt Jackson exhibit. For some reason, it's an anchor for me.
My favorite memory of the Pioneers Museum involves the first date with my first real girlfriend. I can remember those sharp pangs of emotion and the heart-racing excitement as we stole away into the quiet corners of the old courthouse. That relationship shifted gears, but I'm still in love with the Pioneers Museum.
ReplyDeleteIt's etched deeply into my conception of Colorado Springs and is–without a doubt–the most visible cultural and historic treasure we have.
I remember first hearing Colorado College's incredible Bowed Piano Ensemble in a concert in the Pioneers Museum courtroom. It was incredible. I had never seen or heard music made that way, and the exquisite setting was just the perfect touch for that experience.
ReplyDeleteI also remember the rather recent exhibits from the Pike Bicentennial celebration. The exhibit featuring historic and contemporary depictions of Pikes Peak was breath-taking, and I especially loved the commissioned work by Tracy Felix. I also learned so much from the concurrent exhibit on the history of tourism in our region and how we have promoted our city as a natural and cultural gem through the decades.
Every time I go to the Pioneers Museum I learn so much about my community, and the staff and curators do an amazing job of making the history of this region relevant to me as a 21st century resident of the city. I just love taking visitors to this musuem!
test
ReplyDeleteOur family moved to CS in 1974 and we were anxious to find out the history of the area. We went to the CSPM which was then located on Kiowa and enjoyed the many displays. I signed a volunteer form and hope to get involved...did I ever! I was called within days and I have been volunteering in various ways at the Museum ever since! I have learned so much about our community and met so many wonderful people!
ReplyDeleteA particular fond memory was getting to know Wm. C. Henderson, former mayor of CS. He had stories about the Pikes Peak region that not only fascinated me but also our children. His stories encouraged them to do their History Day projects on local personalities and our daughter earned a two trips to the National Competition at the University of Maryland. Mr. Henderson was honored by having the CSPM History Day Competition named for him. This program is in its 26th year and it has honored many outstanding students that know what a "gem" the CSPM is to all of us.
The El Paso County Pioneers Association formed the beginnings of the Pioneers Museum in 1896. The city of Colorado Springs accepted the collection in 1941 and pledged to keep "our history" alive with a city museum. It started at the "old courthouse" and then moved to Kiowa. In 1976, a community campaign was started to save the courthouse and move the museum back to where it started. This successful campaign included all members of the community including the school children that raised funds with pennies...our family participated in this at Helen Keller Elementary. IT WAS A SUCCESS! Thanks to everyone's efforts we have a beautiful place to view what our region is all about!
In these difficult times, we need to make our city leaders aware of it committment to its citizens...we are only as good as our history...be it in the past, today or in the future! Let's not lose the right to share what a beautiful and unique place Colorado Springs was, is and can become!
I moved to Colorado Springs 6 years ago and knew nothing about the region's history. The first place I visited was the museum. Right there in the exhibit cases were magical names like Palmer, Van Briggle, Stratton and Penrose: pioneers who did their best to give this city a good and noble history.
ReplyDeleteThose pioneers speak to you and I today through a wonderful staff that works very hard to show you how they lived and what they endured to get us where we are. This gorgeous building houses a nationally known collection of historic items valued in the millions of dollars. These treasures do not take care of themselves. It takes an unbelievable amount of work to collect, house and interpret this history for the benefit of us all, including thousands of school children and out-of-town visitors every year. Talent and knowledge like that is irreplaceable.
The museum is a destination of choice for the military personnel that call our city home: for whom we are responsible and it is all free.
It has always been my belief that you cannot know where you are going in life unless you know and learn from where you have been. The museum teaches us where we have been. Thanks for an absolutely wonderful time, my friends. Your loss would create a huge void; a history that would never return. We can't lose you.
Jan
I visited the Pioneers Museum for the first time by accident as a CC first-year student wandering around downtown. At the jaded age of 18, I was completely astonished to discover the wealth of surprising and delightful artifacts, paintings and other treasures inside.
ReplyDeleteSince then, it has become one of my favorite cultural institutions. My favorite memories include celebrating Mozart's 250th birthday at a grand party in the museum and hearing a fantastic concert in the courtroom (what phenomenal acoustics!), taking my sister and brother-in-law for a tour and cringing at the archaic dental instruments, and attending many meetings in the various community rooms. It's always such a distinct pleasure to step foot in the building.
I moved to Colorado Springs in 1997, to teach archaeology at UCCS. I fell in love with the Pioneers Museum the first time I went there, and can't get there often enough. Not only do I appreciate it in a very personal way - bringing family and friends there when they visit - but it is also important to me in a professional way. I have had many students - to many to name - who have accomplished internships there, or have been employed there, or both. The staff is professional and dedicated and the students get a wonderful education. I hope it stays around for another hundred years, at the very least!
ReplyDeleteFor our city council to even have the thought of closing the museum and letting go of staff is disgusting. It is evident more and more that the powers that be in this community do not care about our history.
ReplyDelete5 thoughts from a CS native
ReplyDelete1. For my master's thesis on the early days of Memorial Hospital, I did research in the Pioneer Museum archives. This resource was key for my work, and I couldn't have completed the thesis without it.
2. When I was a Brownie, we took a field trip to the Museum at its old location. We had great fun looking through the displays an exhibits, especially anything that reminded us of Laura Ingalls.
3. When I bring my boys to the Museum, they like anything to do with guns or gold.
4. As a local writer, I can't imagine not having access to the Helen Hunt Jackson exhibit. For some reason, it's an anchor for me.
5. Where else will I go for my quilt fix?