September MuseLetter

September 2011

It is hard to believe it's mid-September already.

August was a huge month for the Museum. When it was all said and done, over 5,000 people participated in programs sponsored by the CSPM.

Among our many activities for the month, we hosted a special, traveling exhibit from the National World War I Museum in Kansas City. The exhibition arrived by semi truck and trailer, and the trailer folded open into a marvelous display space. The one-day-only program was hard to miss, as it was parked on the SE corner of the Museum grounds. It attracted over 850 visitors during the 10 hours it was open to the public. With fascinating artifacts and audio-visual components, it reminded us all of ongoing relevance of the "War to End All Wars," and how that conflict set the stage for so many of the events of the 20th century. The echoes of that war reverberate to this day.

On a lighter note, we unveiled a new temporary exhibit called "Pedal Power: Cycling in Colorado Springs." Created in conjunction with the Pro Cycling Challenge that began in Colorado Springs, the new display features many bicycles and photos from our collections. Included is a high-wheel bicycle that we believe was the first bike owned by a resident of Colorado Springs. The exhibit is up until the end of the year. I hope to cruise by for a look.

Perhaps our most exciting activity of the month was our first annual "Gift of History" breakfast. This fundraising event drew over 350 guests to the Antlers Hotel on August 25. The one-hour program featured a number of guest speakers including Katherine Sturdevant, Lt. Commander Chris England, and students from the Colorado Springs Conservatory. The theme for the morning was the critical role the Museum plays in presenting the unique heritage of our community, and the ways in which the human stories preserved in our collection serve to inspire, educate and entertain our community. It was a delightful and moving event that reached a lot of people that hadn't previously been exposed to the Museum, and the message seems to have had an impact. We received gifts from 141 new donors, the overall average gift was of $238, and total funds raised amounted to $55,818. Thank you to all the attendees, our 28 generous table captains, our terrific event committee, and all the volunteers and staff that made it possible.

As I said in my comments at the breakfast, there is a palpable energy and excitement surrounding the Museum. I feel it every day as I walk through the halls, and I hope you can sense it in the programs outlined above. There is more to come in September and beyond. Don't miss out!

Matt Mayberry

Director, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

Crime and Punishment in the Pikes Peak Region

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Have you ever wondered what it is like to work in a museum? Curious about what it takes to put an exhibit together? What makes our Pikes Peak regional history unique? These questions are explored in the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum's program, the Museum Experience, which invites citizens to become community curators.

This innovative, hands-on program allows citizens to go behind closed doors and explore the Museum collection to participate in the start-to-finish process of creating a new exhibit. In a collaborative, small-group setting, community curators will work with Museum staff to select objects, do archival research, write labels, and create the exhibit layout in the community gallery.

The scintillating topic to be explored in the upcoming Museum Experience exhibit is Crime and Punishment in the Pikes Peak Region. Working with Museum staff and retired investigator Dwight Haverkorn, community curators will delve into the unsolved mysteries and not-to-be-believed true stories of crime in 1860s-1940s Colorado Springs. Participants will work with photographs, artifacts, historic newspapers and even police evidence to "present their case" to the public.

"The Museum Experience is a wonderful opportunity for citizens to become engaged in the true process of creating a museum exhibit," says Matt Mayberry, Director of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. "This program will give community curators an unprecedented opportunity to explore the collection and really understand the stories behind the artifacts they choose to display in our community gallery."

The deadline to register for the workshop, Crime and Punishment in the Pikes Peak Region, is October 1, 2011. Registration cost covers two full workshop days (October 8 and October 15 with an optional work day on October 22nd) and concludes with a celebratory exhibit opening reception at 5:30 pm on Saturday, October 29th. Cost is $125 for Museum Members and $150 for non-Members.

Intergeneration Week October 2-9

In honor of Intergeneration Week, The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is proud to present From One Generation to the Next: Sharing Stories through Artifacts and Photographs, an innovative new program, on Saturday, October 8 from 10:00am - 4:00pm.

In the spirit of connecting generations, community members are invited to delve deep into their family history to find a photograph and/or artifact (or two!) that are associated with treasured family memories. They can then to bring these items to the Museum, where Pikes Peak Community College Professor Katherine Sturdevant and her students will be on hand to help families preserve these stories through short interviews about the objects and their meaning. Participants will leave with their artifacts and a CD containing the interviews and digital images of the objects that they can share with children, grandchildren, or other family members. Those interested in participating in this special event should call the Museum at 719.385.5990 to reserve a space.

Don't miss out on this truly inter-generational experience.

Gift of History Breakfast Wrap-Up

Many, many thanks go out to the attendees at our inaugural Gift of History Breakfast on August 25th. 28 volunteer table captains helped recruit nearly 350 guests for a wonderful morning program. Over $55,000 was raised in gifts and sponsorships. Special thanks go to our sponsors: the Museum Board of Directors, the Friends Board of Directors, Ent, Memorial Hospital, and ERA Herman Real Estate (Carol Ruettinger) for underwriting our breakfast expenses. We are also happy to announce we have fulfilled our Challenge Grant of $2,500 from the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado. The funds raised

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from the event are critical to our ability to provide quality programming and engage new audiences. Thanks to everyone who participated in making a truly memorable event.

Join the Museum Today!
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Are you looking for a great way to support the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum? Become a Member! Membership levels start as low as $30 for Individuals, with discounts for military, seniors and students. It's a great way to support the CSPM, and receive "members-only" benefits at every level. For more information, call 385-5633.

You can also make a donation to the Museum right now by clicking on this link to the City's secure web site. Thank you for your support.

For more information about any of our programs or services, please call the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, (719) 385-5990 or go to our web site www.cspm.org.

In This Issue

From the Director's Chair

Museum Experience

Intergeneration Week Program

The Gift of History Breakfast

Become a CSPM Member

Coming Events

NEW! At the Museum Store

American Indian Gallery

Quick Links

Teachers! Click here for Educational Opportunities for your Students

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