When Emma Rowe first moved to Colorado Springs she was eager to find ways to make friends and engage with her new community. As a former history major in college, she was also curious to learn more about Colorado Springs’ past. When she began volunteering in July of 2024, after the museum reopened from our HVAC project, she found the CSPM to be “a perfect fit.”
Emma was part of the first class of Gallery Attendants trained to welcome guests and provide information and activities in the 50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity exhibit. She shared, “I love getting to connect with people in the gallery. It’s amazing to see the light in women and girls’ eyes when they hear that all the art in the gallery was created by women. But it’s also extremely meaningful to see men slowly take in the entire exhibit and have them express their appreciation for the concept.” In this role, Emma has learned about the different works of art and helps guests connect through discussions and hands-on activities, like our “touch canvases.”
In spring of 2025, Emma began working with Caitlin Sharpe, CSPM Registrar, as an artifact collections volunteer. During this time, she has cataloged collections ranging from Van Briggle Pottery to clothing owned by Sophia Tutt.
"Emma excels at research as a cataloger and has been quick to learn the database used to manage the museum’s collections as well as the skills needed to document collections. Emma always asks good questions and has been a joy to work with."
Emma’s time working with objects has truly sparked her curiosity, “With each new object I catalog, I find another story to delve into and fall in love with. Right now, I’m working on a collection from the Tutt family that includes a bodice and dress from Charles Tutt, Sr.’s daughter, Sophia, who passed at only 16. While there’s not much to be found outside of newspaper archives, she was dearly beloved. My favorite story is that in the three weeks before her death when her condition worsened, all boat whistles in Catalina Bay, California (where she was staying in hopes of recovery) were stilled in fear of disturbing her.”
In addition to her volunteer work, Emma is an administrator for an ABA therapy company. In her free time, she enjoys reading and loves going to local markets, “especially farmers markets when they’re in season.” She has a dog named Bear, who she calls her “everything.”
Thank you, Emma, and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition as the Volunteer of the Month!