Like many of our volunteers, Pat’s first encounter with the Museum was on a visit, “My family brought me to Colorado Springs in April 2018 from my home in Houston. I found CSPM by signing up for a building tour of downtown Colorado Springs sponsored by the Museum. After the tour, I went back to the Museum and asked if they needed any volunteers.” Pat expressed that volunteering allows her to connect and settle into a new location. She very quickly was invited to support the front desk and also began leading school programs within a few short months. Since 2018, her repertoire has grown to six different school program stations!
Meg Poole, Program Coordinator shared, “What I most appreciate about Pat is her constant curiosity. She looks at a challenge and is driven by her quest for knowledge. She always has the best interests of the Museum in mind offering to step up wherever she is needed most.” That was certainly the case for our adult tours. Prior to the stay-at-home order, Pat had begun training for and leading our Journey to Pikes Peak tours. She even stepped into (costume and all!) the living history character of Elvira at our fall festival last October. Pat finds joy in new experiences and is able to use her talents to creatively help the Museum meet its mission.
Volunteering fills my need to learn, to engage with other people and hopefully get them excited about their visit. CSPM has taught me a new way to appreciate where I am living. I had no idea that I like history! Plus, I am in love with the Courthouse itself. The building speaks to me.
Pat Lewis
Beyond exploring her new home in the Pikes Peak region Pat’s desire to volunteer is driven by her appreciation for museums, “I’ve always loved museums, no matter where I have lived or visited. After I retired and was an active docent for 10 years at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Volunteering fills my need to learn, to engage with other people and hopefully get them excited about their visit.” Coming from a natural science museum she was surprised to find out how much she loves the past, “I had no idea that I like history! Plus, I am in love with the Courthouse itself. The building speaks to me.”
In reflecting on her two years volunteering Pat shared that she’s enjoyed her time working with the staff, “The staff is very professional, knowledgeable, encouraging, and welcoming. They make me feel appreciated, every single time I volunteer.” She has also valued the training opportunities that have been “on-going and that the volunteers have standards to meet.” Volunteers, in their time here, quickly find their favorite exhibits and local history stories. Pat has found a kindred spirit in Julia Archibald Holmes, “As a woman, she speaks to my independent spirit. I am so impressed by what she did. I can just imagine her climbing Pikes Peak, ‘wearing pants’.”
When not volunteering Pat enjoys time with her daughter and three grandsons. She also loves knitting, spending time outdoors, and is eager to begin traveling again to visit her other daughter and her husband.
Thank you Pat for your generous service and congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
Meg Poole, CSPM Programs Coordinator
Interested in being a volunteer at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum? Learn more.
719.385.5631 | Meg.Poole@coloradosprings.gov