Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum facts for kids
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Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
(El Paso County Courthouse 1903-1973) |
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | 215 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Archie Gillis & Angus, August J. Smith |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Second Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000272 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | 1972 |
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is a cool place to learn about the history of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It's located in a beautiful old granite building with a tall clock tower. This building used to be the El Paso County Courthouse from 1903 to 1973.
The museum moved into this historic spot in 1979. It's filled with amazing art, old objects, and records that tell the story of the Pikes Peak area. This building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was actually the second place in El Paso County to get this special recognition, right after Pikes Peak itself! The museum is also home to the Starsmore Center for Local History, which is a special place for research.
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What You'll Find at the Museum
The museum's main goal is to help people connect with the history of the Pikes Peak region. They do this by keeping and sharing important cultural stories. You can explore many different exhibits, some that change often and some that are always there. They also offer tours, fun programs, and special events.
Amazing Collections to Explore
The museum has more than 60,000 items in its collection! These include many cultural and historical objects. You can see artifacts from the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute Native American cultures.
Part of the museum even shows items that belonged to the famous writer Helen Hunt Jackson. The collection also includes things related to how Colorado Springs was founded. You can learn about the mining industry, military bases, and how the city became a health resort.
The museum also has beautiful Van Briggle Pottery and local art. Plus, it has a very important collection of quilts from all over the country. The museum has won many awards for being excellent. It is also officially recognized by the American Alliance of Museums.
Art That Tells a Story
Artist Eric Bransby created a large mural inside the museum. This mural shows the history of the Pikes Peak region. It starts with early Native Americans and goes all the way to the building of the United States Air Force Academy.
Visit the Museum Store
After exploring, you can visit the museum store. The best part is that admission to the museum is completely free! The museum's main job is to collect, keep, research, and share the history and culture of the Pikes Peak Region.
Starsmore Center for Local History
Inside the museum, you'll find the Starsmore Center for Local History. This center has a special library and archives for researching the Pikes Peak Region. You can look at old pictures, newspapers, and city directories. It even has personal papers from General William Jackson Palmer, who founded Colorado Springs!
Alamo Square Park
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is located right inside Alamo Square Park. This park is a lovely place to visit. It has several sculptures that tell stories about history. You'll also see beautiful flower beds and a charming gazebo.
There's even a preserved street clock from the 1900s by E. Howard & Co.. This clock was saved from being destroyed in the 1960s and moved to the park.
See also
