March is National Women’s History Month, and the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (CSPM) is proud to join organizations across the country in commemorations that examine the vital role of women in American history. The CSPM tells stories of local women throughout its galleries:
Women have always been creative. Women have always been artistic. Women have always been artists. Yet, their work has remained largely unrecognized. 50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity invites visitors to explore how throughout time women have always told their stories through art and creativity.
COS@150: Exploring Colorado Springs’ Story Through Objects shares the stories of dozens of local women including Maude McFerran Price, Lulu Stroud Pollard, Julie Penrose, Fannie Mae Duncan, Judy Noyes, Bee Vradenburg, “Mama” Susie Perkins, and the women of the Colorado Springs Civic League.
Una Familia Grande: The Conejos Neighborhood Project, a community-based exhibit, uses artifacts, photographs, and stories to put this once vibrant neighborhood back on the map. Former residents Ruth Melena, Josie Ontiveros, and Josie Ornelas share their unique perspectives of living in this historic neighborhood southwest of downtown.
Any Place That is North and West: African Americans in Colorado Springs tells the story of life in Colorado Springs for generations of Black residents following the Great Migration. The exhibit details the supportive community they created and their role in shaping the city, including the personal stories of Gretchen McRae, the Stroud Family, Vera Gang Scott, and Joyce Gilmer, among others.
A Home of One’s Own: The Life of Helen Hunt Jackson examines the famous nineteenth-century American author’s life, work, friendships, literary and personal influences, family, and home in Colorado Springs through photographs, artifacts, documents, three original rooms of the Jackson House and an interactive touchscreen.
The Story of Us: The Pikes Peak Region A - Z encourages visitors to connect stories through their physical location in the permanent gallery digital interface and mobile device. Story of Us features stories of women including Julia Archibald Holmes, the talented women of Sankofa, the Vallejo Family, and Elvira among others.
For Women’s History Month 2025, the public is invited to engage with these community stories through our exhibit galleries, public programs, and social media posts. Visit the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum website to learn more.
Events
Deconstructed Panel: Women in the Arts
Featuring Artists from 50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity exhibit
Saturday, March 8
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Registration Required at www.cspm.org/lectureseries
Book Talk: The Story of Art Without Men
Saturday, March 15
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Facilitated by Sophia Rose, 50% Artist
Limited Space! Registration Required at https://give.cspm.org/50Story
Jazz Happy Hour: Celebrating Women’s History Month
Thursday, March 20
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Free Admission at https://give.cspm.org/WHMJazz;
Drink Tickets (21+) available for purchase.
Story of Us Mobile: Women Suffrage Tour
Explore the stories of women who fought for the 19th Amendment
Visit mobile.cspmstoryofus.com/Tours