Want to learn more about Black History in the Pikes Peak Region? The CSPM Archives has great resources to explore this rich and complex history.
Bass Family Papers (1904-1925): The Bass Family; W.H., Lucy (Parks) and their daughters, Dorothea and Agnes, were members of the Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Colorado Springs. This collection includes a marriage certificate for W.H and Lucy, and school certificates for Dorothea and Agnes; 8th grade promotion certificates and penmanship and typing certificates from the Liller School in Colorado Springs. Also included are a framed and signed photograph portrait of Dorothea Bass. Extent: 1/8 cubic foot
Buffalo Soldier Community Memorial Collection (2014-2024): The Buffalo Soldiers Community Memorial Committee was established in 2014. To preserve and share the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and to advocate for a community memorial in Colorado Springs. This collection includes materials documenting activities of the committee, such as of a 2016 proclamation to the Colorado Springs City Council detailing the efforts of the Buffalo Soldiers, an informational brochure discussing the significance of the Buffalo Soldiers, and a letter from General Colin Powell regarding the dedication of the monument. Extent: 1/3 cubic foot
Fannie Mae Duncan Collection (1928-2007): Fannie Mae (Bragg) Duncan was an entrepreneur and philanthropist in Colorado Springs. She is most well known as the owner of Duncan’s Cotton Club, a jazz club located on Colorado Avenue in downtown Colorado Springs (1948-1975). This collection includes papers, ephemera, newspapers and clippings, photographs, and correspondence related to Fannie Mae Duncan’s life and career. This includes business materials, photographs of the Bragg Family and the Cotton Club, personal legal documents, membership letters, programs for the Duncan’s philanthropic endeavors, also included are photocopies of a scrapbook of Cotton Club events and performance compiled by Fannie Mae Duncan. Extent: 1 1/3 cubic feet.
NHACS Collection (1873-1997): In 1981, NHACS (The Negro Historical Society of Colorado Springs*) was founded with the mission to preserve and spread awareness of Black history in the Pikes Peak Region. In 1990, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum became the official repository for NHACS and the collection was added to in 2000 and again in 2018 This collection includes historic photographs of the Black community including individuals such as Roy Porter, Maude Macon, Ed and Fannie Mae Duncan, and Reverend Doctor Milton E. Proby, along with organizatios such as the 400 Club and the Treble Cleff Club, and Black Churches such as Payne Chapel, AME Church and St. John’s Baptist Church. Also included are NHACS yearbooks, event programs and newsletters.
* Founding members and donors of NHACS specifically chose the title of the Association. To honor the intent of the donors, we have maintained the original name of this collection.
Charlotte Collins Collection (1898-2007): Charlotte Banks Collins, a founding member of NHACS, was also a civil rights activist and active member in the community. Collin’s father was Charles Banks, a Spanish-American War veteran and prominent political activist in Colorado Springs. As president of the Colorado Springs Branch of the NAACP during the 1930s and 40s, Banks lead peaceful protests and discrimination lawsuits against local businesses and employers. This collection includes correspondence between Charles Banks and local, state and federal official regarding civil right issues, along with news clippings and publications that reflect Charlotte Collin’s interest and involvement in local and national civil rights, and the Black community of the Pikes Peak Region. Extent: 2 cubic feet
Areba Jackson and Gretchen McRae Collection (1915-1974): Gretchen McRae grew up in Colorado Springs. She worked in Washington D.C. as a clerk and stenographer in the Department of Interior and also attended art classes at Howard Univerisity. Gretchen left the Department in 1928 to attend the Cooper Union Women’s Art School for a year before moving to Colorado Springs where she would begin publishing her own journal, “A Free Republic.” Areba Jackson was a member of the Colorado State Federation of Colored Women’s Club and NHACS. This collection includes correspondence, papers, news clippings and photographs related to McRae’s and Jackson’s personal and professional lives, and their civil rights and community activities. Artwork by Gretchen McRae are also in the CSPM Archives.
Delia Armstrong Busby Collection (1950-2000): Delia Armstrong Busby worked for school district 11 including Doherty High School, and Mitchell High School, for over 30 years. In 1985, Busby became the first Black woman principal of Mitchell High School. During her time there, she took a proactive approach to address the needs of students. In 1990, she was recognized as one of 6 outstanding Colorado Educators.
This collection includes newspaper clippings, awards, photographs and correspondence related to Busby’s career with District 11 and her election to the Colorado Springs School Board. Also included are photographs of Busby with her mother and siblings as a child. Extent: 1/8 cubic foot
Stroud Family Collection (1910-2000): In 1910, Reverend Kimball Dolphus Stroud and wife Lulu Magee Stroud and their four children migrated to Colorado Springs from the Oklahoma Territory. The family lived at 810 North Walnut Street. This collection includes photographs and materials representing all eleven Stroud children—Kimbal, Albert, Dolphus, Effie, Tandy, Jack, James, Lulu, Nina, Rosa Mae and Bobby– and their extended families. This includes letters, news clippings, ephemera, genealogical research, and papers related to their personal and professional lives and accomplishments–such as Kelly Dolphus qualifying for the 1936 US Olympic Trials, Effie receiving the first Sachs Scholarship, Jack’s career in aeronautics, Kimbal’s civil rights advocacy, and Nina’s career in education. Extent: 4 cubic feet
Vera Gang Scott Papers (1910-2001) In 1956 Vera Gang Scott was hired at West Junior High School as the second African American school teacher in Colorado Springs. She would later be hired as the first Black social worker, and at Garfield Elementary School as the first Black principal. After working for School District 11 for 20 years, Vera Gang Scott retired and began volunteering with troubled youth, among other community activities. This collection includes ephemera, photographs, scrapbooks, letters, and yearbooks related to Vera Gang Scotts personal life, including her involvement with the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and career- from her childhood through retirement. Extent: 4 cubic feet
Leroy Palmer Collection (1922-1957) : Leroy A. Palmer relocated to Colorado Springs in the 1920s with his mother and four siblings. He and his wife, Agnes, lived at 327 E. Costilla Ave. His family were members of Paynce Chapel AME Church and the Pueblos Avenue community. Palmer was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks (BPOE) Lodge #309, and a local hunting group. This collection includes a prayer book, photograph album and scrapbook compiled by Palmer, with news clippings, ephemera, and photographs of the Paynce Chapel, friends and family, and the Pueblo Avenue neighborhood. Extent: 1 cubic foot.
Sankofa Collection (1992-1995): In July 1992, five women of African and Caribbean heritage Anabela Crooks (Panama), Maxine Stores (Yonkers, New York), Senga Fittz (Chicago), Rochelle Taylor (Colorado Springs) and Dr. Sheila Christy-Martin (Brooklyn, New York) established Sankofa. Since its inception, Sankofa has preserved the cultural awareness of the African diaspora in the Rocky Mountain region through authentic dance and drum performances, workshops, arts & crafts workshops, storytelling and community involvement. This collection includes fliers, planning documents, photographs, and news clippings related to activities and performances of Sankofa– including their involvement with the 1994 Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration. Extent: 1/8 cubic foot
Contact our CSPM Archivist, Hillary Mannion to make an appointment: hillary.mannion@coloradosprings.gov, or 719-385-5650