Donor Spotlight: Bill and Frankie Tutt - CSPM
Costume party at the Tutt Family home at 1205 North Cascade Avenue, ca. 1905.

Donor Spotlight: Bill and Frankie Tutt

Hillary Mannion, Archivist

The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum’s archival collections are full of stories from individuals, families, organizations, and businesses of the Pikes Peak Region. The museum staff is always cognizant of the fact that we are stewards of the community’s collection. Each new donation connects us with individuals, and helps us to learn more about the history and culture of the Pikes Peak region.  Such was the case with a recent donation from Bill and Frankie Tutt of Colorado Springs.

The Tutt family has left its mark on the Pikes Peak region since the day Charles Leaming Tutt arrived in Colorado Springs from Philadelphia in 1884—from investments in Colorado Springs real estate and mining endeavors in Cripple Creek, to the operation of the Broadmoor Hotel and El Pomar Foundation, and involvement in many community organizations and events.  

Vinyl record from Frankie Tutt’s music box research.
Vinyl record from Frankie Tutt’s music box research.
Program for the National Sports Festival at Colorado Springs, organized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and chaired by Bill Tutt, 1983.
Program for the National Sports Festival at Colorado Springs, organized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and chaired by Bill Tutt, 1983.

A rich collection of nineteenth-century photographs helps us to visualize the Tutt family tree and imagine Charles L.  and Josephine Thayer Tutt’s  renowned holiday-themed parties at the family home at 1205 North Cascade Avenue. The donation also includes Tutt family heirlooms from Philadelphia, reinforcing the common practice of families and individuals bringing with them cherished objects from home when moving West.  

Additionally, ephemera, correspondence, and papers related to Bill Tutt’s involvement with the United States Olympic Committee, the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, the Broadmoor Hotel, Citizens Goals, and the Colorado Thirty Club, share the impact these organizations and events have had on our community. Interestingly, the collection also includes Frankie Tutt’s extensive research on music boxes, including those in the CSPM collection.

We are grateful to Bill and Frankie Tutt for sharing their invaluable treasures with us, and adding to the rich history of the Pikes Peak Region preserved and shared at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Thank you Bill and Frankie! 

Featured Image: Costume party at the Tutt Family home at 1205 North Cascade Avenue, ca. 1905.

Lady with shoulder length blonde hair and brown eyes wearing a black top, and is standing in front of an old fashioned photo and frame James W. Starsmore. Her name is Hillary Mannion, CSPM Archivist

Hillary Mannion, Archivist

If you are interested in learning more about the CSPM’s collections, please visit www.cspm.org/collections. 

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