From the Director's Chair
When most people think about November they think of Thanksgiving, but in my world, November means that the City's budget process is winding down. (Okay, I think of turkey and cranberries too, but you take my point.) In recent years this has been a nerve-wracking time for the staff and supporters of the Museum. I'm very pleased to say that this year it has been a relatively relaxed process. On Thursday, November 3, Colorado Springs City Council held its annual budget balancing session, which is the last step before final votes are taken on appropriation levels for the coming year. Assuming no major changes happen, it appears that the CSPM will have a stable budget for 2012 as compared to the current year.
This is a huge relief, because now we are able to finalize plans for exhibits, programs and other activities. We have a lot of exciting things in the works, and you will hear about them in the coming months. We are still fully committed to raising additional funds to help us continue to expand programming and public engagement activities. Our fundraising goal for next year is $250,000 in the form of individual donations, corporate sponsorships, grants and earned income. Best of all, we have a great team and an achievable plan in place to ensure success. Our sincere appreciation goes out to all of you that contribute to the Museum; every dollar makes a huge impact!
Speaking of Thanksgiving, the Museum has special hours and activities planned for the holiday week. We will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving and then closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In addition to the special Monday hours, we will also provide hourly guided tours of the Museum each of these three days. Since many schools are out that week, this is a fun, free and educational activity for children and out-of-town visitors.
If you visit over the holidays, you'll notice lots of activity in our American Indian gallery. Several weeks ago, the Museum staff dismantled the old exhibit that has been in that gallery for many years. The new exhibit will be titled Cultural Crossroads: Highlights from the Museum's Collection. It will feature a bright and beautiful new design and an amazing array of over 100 artifacts that illustrate the rich depth of American Indian history and culture in our region. Visitors will be encouraged to compare and contrast styles, traditions and the artistry of the over 25 distinct American Indian Nations represented and the diverse trade networks that brought seashells and cut glass beads to the plains of Colorado. This exciting new gallery will be the first in a series of new exhibits planned for the Museum's third floor. Cultural Crossroads opens on December 3 as part of our Children's Holiday Magic event.
Finally, I'm delighted to announce that the Museum is partnering with the El Paso County Bar Association and Foundation on a capital campaign to complete the fundraising necessary for phase II of the exterior restoration project. Last week over 1,000 letters were distributed to bar members around the region requesting donations for the project. The Bar Foundation has offered a generous $7,500 matching grant to encourage donations. The Museum has raised 85% of the funds necessary for the $330,000 project, which is scheduled to start next spring.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, and we look forward to seeing you at the Museum!
Matt Mayberry
Director, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
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November Lecture Saturday!
Serious, Scandalous, and Scholarly: the Marketing of Helen Hunt Jackson's Ramona
November 12, 2pm - Jessy Randall, Curator of Special Collections, Tutt Library, Colorado College will deliver an illustrated lecture as the November Pikes Peak Regional Lecture Series. From its release in 1884 until the present day, Ramona has never been out of print. Now more than ever, readers can choose from multiple Ramonas in various editions, languages, and formats. Randall will share the book history of the novel: the material form it has taken over time and the ways publishers have changed Ramona to fit their purposes, promoting the text to different potential audiences every few years.
*$5 suggested donation - FREE for members
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 Give! to the Museum
CSPM is participating in the CS Indy's Give! campaign for the first time this year, and the results have been exciting to watch! Nearly $3,000 in donations to the museum have come in the first 10 days of this yearend campaign, and if we finish in the top three arts-and-culture organizations, we will get some additional matching dollars! Dollars raised doesn't matter, it's the total number of all donors and donors under 40 that we're competing for, so if you have any inclination to give online at any level, please do it today by clicking the logo!
Also consider coming to next week's event, Into the Great Wide Open: a Legacy of Parks in the Pikes Peak Region on Wednesday, November 16th from 5:30-7:30pm. Please join us for this free event, in partnership with Friends of Garden of the Gods, Trails and Open Space Coalition, and Kids on Bikes, to celebrate our outdoor heritage. Nancy Lewis, former Director of Parks and Recreation will be speaking about her new book, The Parks of Colorado Springs, Building a Community, Preserving a Legacy. Many beautiful park photos from the CSPM collection were used in the publication. For a small donation, sample wine and chocolate, or partake of the free goodies provided by Whole Foods. |
Children's Holiday Magic 2011
We are very looking forward to another fun-filled Children's Holiday Magic! The Friends of CSPM invite you to participate in this a local tradition that families have enjoyed for decades. We are excited to welcome back many wonderful performers such as the the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale, the Springs City Ballet, Professor Higgins' Magic Show and countless others! You and your family can participate in a traditional weaving demonstration with the Pikes Peak Weavers Guild, and learn about the railroad with Slim Rails Model Trains. Have a balloon creation made or make your own holiday ornaments, all while enjoying our over 15 exhibits highlighting the fascinating history of the Pikes Peak Region. Stay tuned for the performance schedule!
After holiday Magic, and on your way to the city's Festival of Lights Parade, be sure to stop by the museum grounds for FREE hot chocolate and cookies!
*We have great volunteers every year that help make this event magic! Email kmast@springsgov.com if you are interested in volunteering. |
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Join the Museum Today!
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. |
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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.
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 MARK THESE IMPORTANT DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR Saturday 11/12 2pm Pikes Peak Regional History Lecture - Jessy Randall, Curator of Special Collections, Tutt Library, Colorado College will deliver an illustrated lecture entitled Serious, Scandolous, and Scholarly: The Marketing of Helen Hunt Jackson's Ramona. $5 suggested donation FREE for members
Wednesday 11/16 5:30-7:30pm
Into the Great Wide Open
Indy Give! Reception
Honoring the history of parks in the Pikes Peak Region
Featured Speaker: Nancy Lewis
FREE
Monday-Wednesday 11/21-23
Museum open 10am-4pm
Guided tours every hour
Saturday 12/3 10am-3pm
Children's Holiday Magic
Live performances, visit from Santa, ornament-making and much more!
FREE to public | | |
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MUSEUM STORE
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Holiday Gift-Giving Guide
How about Michael Hague's White Christmas or a look-and- find activity book for the children in your life?
We also have beautiful Christmas Angels, puzzles for all ages, and scenic Colorado prints by Jerry Morrow, Trina Rodholm, and Rob Miskowitch. | |
Members receive a 20% holiday discount; spend $50 and receive additional 5% off!. | |
STOP BY THE MUSEUM STORE TODAY! |
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Matt Mayberry
Director
385-5636
Leah Davis Witherow
Curator of History
385-5649
Dave Ryan
Registrar
385-5634
Cari Karns
Development Coordinator
385-5633
Kelly Murphy
Exhibit Designer
Megan Poole
Museum Educator
385-5631
mpoole@springsgov.com
John Craddock
Security Officer
385-5632
Carol Denning
Museum Store Manager
385-5643
Adam Schnoes Maintenance Tech 385-5642 Brooke Traylor Archives Assistant 385-5650 Kay C. Mast Volunteer Coordinator 385-5653 Haley Davis Events Coordinator 385-5653 | |
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Have you found us on
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Go the CSPM's Facebook wall to see the latest news on exhibits, programming, and more!
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