The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is located at 215 S. Tejon Street in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The granite building with a domed clock tower was the El Paso County Courthouse building from 1903 to 1973. The museum, which moved to this location in 1979, has fine arts, artifacts and archival collections that document[1][3] the Pikes Peak region.[4] The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and was the 2nd property to be listed in El Paso County, after Pikes Peak.[5]
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (El Paso County Courthouse 1903-1973) | |
Colorado State Register of Historic Properties No. 5EP.190 | |
 | |
   | |
| Location | 215 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°49′48″N 104°49′20″W / 38.83000°N 104.82222°W |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Archie Gillis & Angus, August J. Smith |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Second Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000272 |
| CSRHP No. | 5EP.190 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 1972[2] |
| Designated CSRHP | September 29, 1972[1] |
Located within Alamo Square Park the museum is also home to the Starsmore Center for Local History, a manuscript collection and research facility.[6][non-primary source needed]
Collection
editThe museum's mission is to "build a lasting connection to the Pikes Peak region by preserving and sharing our cultural history," which is accomplished through a wide variety of temporary and long-term exhibits, tours, programs, lectures and special events.[4]
The more than 60,000 objects in the museum's collection include cultural and historic artifacts. Artifacts from Arapaho, Cheyenne and Ute cultures are included in the Native American collection. Helen Hunt Jackson's house is partially represented in the museum with possessions that she owned. The collection includes items relating to the city's founding, mining industry, military installations and health resort industry. Van Briggle Pottery, regional art and a "nationally significant collection of quilts" are part of the collection.[4] The museum has won local and national awards for excellence and is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums.[4]
Eric Bransby created a mural that depicts the Pikes Peak region's history from early Native Americans to the United States Air Force Academy construction.[4]
There is a museum store.[7] Admission to the museum is free.[8] Its mission is to "collect, preserve, research, and interpret the history and culture of the Pikes Peak Region."[4]
Starsmore Center for Local History
editWithin the museum is the Starsmore Center for Local History which has a Pikes Peak Region research library and archives. The collection includes images, newspapers, manuscript collections and city directories. Personal papers of General William Jackson Palmer, the city's founder are also included in the center's collection.[4]
Alamo Park
editIt is situated within the Alamo Square Park which features several history-themed sculptures, flower beds and a gazebo.[3][4] There is also a preserved 1900 E. Howard & Co. street clock that was saved from destruction during urban renewal in the 1960s and relocated from its original home several blocks away.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b El Paso County - Colorado State Register of Historic Properties Archived 2013-12-24 at the Wayback Machine. History Colorado. June 1, 2013.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ a b "Neighborhood Parks". City of Colorado Springs. Archived from the original on August 14, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "About us". Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places listing of El Paso County, Colorado". American Dreams, Inc. Archived from the original on June 1, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ "Archives Research, Manuscript Collections". cspm.org. Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- ^ "Museum Store". Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ "Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum". City of Colorado Springs. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ Vogrin, Bill (April 30, 2014). "Solitary Street Clock a Touchstone to Colorado Springs History". blogs.gazette.com. The Gazette. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
External links
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