Pioneers Museum one step closer to reopening
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — According to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (CSPM), the HVAC Renovation and Exhibition Expansion project is getting closer to completion, and reopening of the museum is in sight.
CSPM reported on Wednesday, April 17, that the HVAC installation is near completion and they will soon be testing and commissioning it to ensure functionality.
Renovation work to create a new exhibition gallery and publicly viewable work space began in April. Visitors will have access to these spaces that were previously inaccessible once the historic 1903 El Paso County Courthouse reopens.
Division III Courtroom currently being rehabilitated into an exhibition gallery space. Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum Division III Courtroom prior to construction work, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Visitor reading stories featured in the Story of Us Pikes Peak Regional History A – Z in the CSPM Annex, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Visitor participating in the interactive Ute Knowledge Colorado’s Original STEM exhibit, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Father and child exploring the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Black Wings American Dreams of Flight, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum.
On Wednesday, May 1, CSPM will close its temporary annex space to prepare the historic courthouse for its grand reopening. This project was so extensive that it impacted every part of the building, including the collection storage areas, exhibits, and staff offices.
Museum staff will start to move collections to their permanent locations, reinstall exhibits, and return to staff areas, while simultaneously creating and unveiling new galleries for visitors.
“We wanted to continue engaging our community with the region’s history. The CSPM Annex allowed the Museum to focus on this mission while our main facility was under construction,” said Matt Mayberry, CSPM Director. “We are excited to reach this point in the project where we concentrate on creating new visitor experiences and reopening the historic 1903 El Paso County Courthouse for all residents and visitors by mid-summer.”
The public can continue to visit the CSPM Annex, which is located at the Plaza of the Rockies, at 121 South Tejon Street, Suite 100, between now and May 1. The Annex operates on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free to visit three exhibits: Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight, Ute Knowledge: Colorado’s Original STEM, and Story of Us: Pikes Peak Regional History.
After the closure of the CSPM Annex, special programs will still take place at various locations throughout the community during the months of May and June, including;
A History of the Sikh Community in Colorado
Presented by Naureen Singh
Saturday, May 11 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Peel House at First Lutheran
Lunch & Learn: John M. Chivington and the Sand Creek Massacre, A Lesson in Poor Leadership
Presented by Dr. Courtney A. Short
Wednesday, May 15 from 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
CSPM Annex
Little Learners: Shaping History
Thursday, May 16 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
CSPM Annex
Food Truck Tuesdays Season Kick Off
Tuesday, June 4 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
CSPM grounds along Vermijo Street
For more information about the historic project and upcoming events, visit https://www.cspm.org/a-historic-project.
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