It was a long time coming but on July 12, we finally were able to welcome the public back to the historic 1903 El Paso County Courthouse after a year-long construction project. How wonderful it has been to see the public back in our climate-controlled galleries! It really is “cool in here.” Our community responded with record-setting attendance of 10,840 visitors in the first two weeks. We are hearing lots of positive feedback from visitors that are spending a lot of time in the new and improved exhibits.
The project was extraordinarily complex and required extensive coordination between the museum and the contractors. Here are a few notable numbers that may help give a sense of all that took place:
- 100% of the museums exhibits and programming spaces saw impact from the construction.
- Staff moved 7,450 three-dimensional artifacts and 93-cubic-feet of archival materials in order to protect them and make way for construction workers.
- There were fifty project partners including Saunders Norwood Construction, CSNA Architects, Plant Engineering, PLS Mechanical, Dynalectric Colorado, Trinidad Construction Company, TECC Painting, and others.
- Contractors removed 16 tons of gravel from the roof to make way for new roofing materials.
- 52,000 pounds of new ductwork was installed throughout the building.
- A crane weighing 250,000 pounds with a mast reaching 190 feet was deployed multiple times.
- Three new exhibits have opened and numerous improvements were made to existing galleries.
- Over 843 artifacts have been added to displays.
- The result is a complete HVAC system for the first time in the museum’s history, 4,000 sq-ft of new exhibit and public programming space, new gallery lighting in two exhibit spaces, new ADA accessible front desk, and a new ADA restroom on the building’s first floor.
"The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum does a great job-- I love every tour or interaction we've had with the museum."
Photo Gallery of the Capital Project and Grand Reopening
The enormity of the project means we have many people to thank. We were successful in raising $2.5 million in private philanthropy and non-city funding to support both the HVAC and Building Restoration project. Our deep appreciation goes out to the following supporters.
- City of Colorado Springs Capital Improvement Program
- Conservation Trust Fund
- Lyda Hill Philanthropies
- El Pomar Foundation
- LART Committee
- The Downtown Development Authority of the Downtown Partnership
- History Colorado State Historical Fund
- ANN Family Foundation
- Gates Family Foundation
- In Honor of Ralph Collins
- Thomas and Alberta Meagher Legacy Giving Fund
- The Clock Tower Society
This project was a capstone to our ambitious ten-year strategic plan, Vision 2023, with the goal to improve the visitor experience, engage new audiences, ensure the CSPM’s financial sustainability, and tell stories in new ways. Through Vision 2023 and this capital project, we made a commitment to make the CSPM more relevant. We have fulfilled those promises.
Plan Your Visit
Featured Image: CSPM Grounds during our Grand Reopening Family Fun Day Celebration on July 13th 2024. Visitors are sitting in the park and enjoying music, food truck and craft activities.
Matt Mayberry, Museum Director
Do you know that all of this success was made possible by individual donors like you! Click here to Give the Gift of History during this exciting time for the CSPM.