I hope that you are enjoying our beautiful fall weather. I have exciting news about the next phase of restoration to the exterior of the Museum's 1903 El Paso County Courthouse. We have now raised 84% of the anticipated $330,000 needed for the second phase of restoration. This project will focus on beautification efforts on the building's high-profile west façade. It will result in repairs to masonry elements, especially the elegant but deteriorating decorative stonework. The bulk of the funds raised so far come from a grant of $240,450 from the State Historical Fund (SHF). The SHF is administered by History Colorado-formerly known as the Colorado Historical Society-using funds derived from gambling revenues produced by the state's three historic mining towns.

 

With this grant in place we now have to secure the $90,000 needed in matching funds. The Downtown Development Authority was one of the first organizations to step up and help with this important project by authorizing a grant of $20,000.  We've also carved out another $15,000 from the Museum's proposed 2012 general fund budget. We feel very optimistic about two additional grants that we hope to hear about in the coming weeks, which will close our funding gap a little more. Finally, we have also met with the El Paso County Bar Association and the Bar Association Foundation, and we will soon kick-off a capital campaign with the legal community. Since nearly every new lawyer and judge is sworn into office in our courtroom, they certainly recognize the importance to their profession-both past and present-of this building. We have received our first major gift of this campaign, a generous pledge of $1,000 from attorney Sandy Kraemer, who once practiced in our building.

 

The second phase of restoration won't begin until next spring, but when it does you can expect to see scaffolding and other equipment on our ground. The architects tell me that we may even have to open a different entrance to the building, so that work can continue while we also keep visitors safe.

 

There is still time for you to participate in the fundraising effort to preserve the "jewel of downtown." Remember that donations of $250 or more made through the El Paso County Enterprise Zone are eligible for 25% state income tax credit. If you are interested in making a donation or want more details about the project or the tax credit please contact Cari Karns or myself. Our contact information is located in the sidebar of this newsletter.

 

Thank you for your support of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum!

 

Matt Mayberry

Director, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

 

CSPM is excited to introduce our newest staff member, Museum Educator Megan Poole. After a two-month search process, Meg was hired and began working this week. She is a Colorado Springs native and attended Colorado College, where she graduated in 2010. Meg studied Anthropology with an emphasis in American Cultural Studies and Visual Studies.

Over the past 7 years Meg has spent time cultivating both her interests in history and education. She has participated in two archaeological excavations and has worked behind-the-scenes with museum collections management. As the education intern at the Colorado College I.D.E.A. Space she worked with local schools to provide programming relevant to the gallery's exhibits and the needs of the community. This past year she worked with an organization called Critical Exposure, which is a non-profit that teaches documentary photography and advocacy to at-risk youth throughout Washington, D.C. As a program coordinator Meg created curriculum and workshops catered to the organizational mission.

Meg says she is "thrilled to be a part of the CSPM team of wonderful staff and dedicated volunteers.  Iam eager to begin working to provide educational, fun, and intellectually challenging programs for the community."