The CSPM received several new artifacts for the CSPM collection commemorating the Sesquicentennial of the City of Colorado Springs Sesquicentennial, 1871-2021. Created by local residents over the past year, these artifacts reflect a long tradition of commemorating important anniversaries in our city’s history. Examples of similar artifacts from previous anniversaries include quilts made for America’s Bicentennial in 1976, medals from the Colorado Centennial as well as pins, ceramic plates, and “Century Force” wooden coins from the city’s centennial celebration in 1972.
Colorado Springs Sesquicentennial Quilt
This beautiful quilt was created by the Quaint Quilters from May to November 2021, in honor of the City of Colorado Springs’ 150th Anniversary. The group was inspired after a presentation by Museum Registrar Caitlin Sharpe highlighting the history of the CSPM’s extensive quilt collection. Members of the group include: Sandy Perry, Holly Gronseth, Jan McKenzie, Nancy Jackson, Marilyn Morgan, Carol Wood, LaVera Fonton, and Judy Manley. Additionally, Dani Ryan machine quilted it.
The Quaint Quilters selected the Winter Solstice pattern and the color palette to represent the mountain views they enjoy while living in Colorado Springs. The quilt incorporates 12 different blue and green batik fabrics. The CSPM staff and board are extremely grateful to the Quaint Quilters for creating such a lovely commemoration of our community’s sesquicentennial anniversary.Â
Sesquicentennial Bench
City Forester Dennis Will is passionate about his job—and about leaving a legacy. To commemorate the City of Colorado Springs Sesquicentennial in 2021, Will created and then donated this stunning bench. This gift is appropriate considering the importance of forestry in our community’s history. From a dry, treeless plain in 1871 to the longest-running Tree City USA Community in Colorado, generations of foresters and residents have contributed to our present-day canopy of nearly a quarter-million of trees.
The large labs and legs of the bench are examples of a process known as biomass utilization, which takes trees that would otherwise be turned into mulch and repurposes them. The slabs were cut from and American Elm tree planted ca. 1935 near the Eni R. Jaspersen Beach House at Prospect Lake, Memorial Park. The legs are made from a Honey Locust tree that grew in the 2400 block of Lafayette Drive. Both trees were cut down in October 2020 after which they were treated and eventually transformed into this elaborate bench.
Colorado Springs Police Department Badge
Though not currently on exhibit, the museum also received a commemorative police badge issued by the Colorado Springs Police Department in honor of the Sesquicentennial. Former CSPD Chief Vince Niski donated his badge to the CSPM’s collection, “In honor of all of the officers who proudly served this community over the last 150 years.” To help inspire the badge’s design, the museum provided images of historic police badges in the collection to the CSPD. During the past year, Sworn Officers wore the special 150th badge while on duty in place of their normal CSPD badge.
Stop by the CSPM to view the Sesquicentennial quilt and bench currently on exhibit near the COS@150 exhibit.
Caitlin Sharpe, CSPM Registrar, manages the CSPM’s object collection which comprises over 70,000 artifacts ranging from artwork to paleontological specimens. The collection is at the core of the institution’s mission. Interested in learning more? Visit www.cspm.org/collections.
719.385.5654 | caitlin.sharpe@coloradosprings.gov