Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum | Colorado Springs

The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (CSPM) is the preeminent historical museum of Colorado Springs and the greater Pikes Peak region. Located in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, it resides in the beautifully restored 1903 El Paso County Courthouse, a landmark building that is both a centerpiece of the city’s architectural heritage and a repository for its collective memory. The museum offers a multi-layered, immersive experience of the region’s history through thoughtfully curated exhibits, educational programs, and a vast collection of cultural artifacts.

1. The Building: El Paso County Courthouse

The museum’s home is an architectural masterpiece built in 1903, designed in the Second Renaissance Revival style. It features:

A striking clock tower, ornate ironwork, and grand staircases.

Lavish interior woodwork made of oak, cherry, and walnut.

A restored courtroom (Division I), which is now used for lectures and events.

The building itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it reflects the ambition and civic pride of early 20th-century Colorado Springs.

The surrounding Alamo Square Park complements the museum setting with manicured gardens, historic sculptures, a large gazebo, and even an original E. Howard & Co. street clock from 1900-relocated here as a surviving piece of urban heritage.

2. Mission and History of the Museum

Founded in 1896, the Pioneers Museum’s mission is to preserve and promote the cultural history of the Pikes Peak region. In 1979, it moved into the current courthouse after the courts vacated the building. Managed by the city, the museum maintains a vast and expanding collection of over 60,000 artifacts, documents, and works of art that tell the story of the area’s diverse peoples and developments.

3. Permanent Exhibits and Collections

The museum’s core exhibits cover a broad range of historical themes:

• Cultural History and Founding of Colorado Springs

Focus on General William Jackson Palmer, founder of Colorado Springs, including his personal effects, photos, and planning documents.

Exploration of the city’s founding principles: a health resort, dry community, and a planned vision for an ideal society.

• Native American Heritage

Collections from the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples.

Includes beadwork, tools, ceremonial clothing, pottery, and interpretive panels detailing displacement, trade, and survival.

• Van Briggle Pottery

Showcases the legacy of Artus Van Briggle, a nationally renowned ceramic artist who helped define Colorado Springs’ early art scene.

Exhibits display fine examples of his Art Nouveau–style pottery, along with information on his studio and artistic influences.

• Early Settlement and Daily Life

Household objects, clothing, personal letters, and business materials from early settlers.

Depicts the domestic and commercial life of the late 1800s and early 1900s, including rooms staged with period furniture.

• Quilts and Textiles

Historic quilts reflecting regional craftsmanship and personal stories. Several are of national significance, connecting fabric artistry to broader social themes like women's roles and cultural preservation.

• Western Art and Landscape Paintings

Paintings and photographs depicting the Rocky Mountain landscapes, pioneer towns, and everyday life, showcasing both realism and romanticism in frontier art.

• Eric Bransby Mural

A massive wall mural painted by famed Colorado muralist Eric Bransby, tracing the history of the Pikes Peak region from indigenous cultures through the development of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

4. Rotating and Thematic Exhibits

CSPM rotates several galleries to highlight overlooked or evolving stories:

• “The Story of Us: The Pikes Peak Region A–Z”

An interactive digital exhibit allowing visitors to explore local history through themes from A to Z.

Features personal stories, historic maps, and user-submitted content.

• “Una Familia Grande”

Celebrates the contributions of the Conejos neighborhood’s Mexican-American community, once displaced by urban development.

Includes a recreated family grocery store, family portraits, and bilingual narratives.

• “Any Place That Is North and West”

Documents African American migration to Colorado Springs during the Great Migration.

Personal histories, photos, and archival materials bring light to the struggles and achievements of Black residents in the 20th century.

• “A Home of One’s Own”

A focused exhibit on author Helen Hunt Jackson, including period furniture, letters, and early feminist perspectives.

• Women’s Creative Contributions

Features artwork, crafts, and inventions by women of the region, often neglected in traditional historical accounts.

• “Camping in the Rockies”

A children-friendly exhibit simulating a 1920s-style campsite.

Offers hands-on discovery for young visitors including faux tents, trail gear, and nature sounds.

5. Starsmore Center for Local History

This is the museum’s archival research facility, offering:

Access to historic newspapers, maps, personal papers, photographs, and city directories.

A vital resource for historians, students, and genealogists researching local family histories or neighborhood development.

It operates by appointment and supports in-depth study of the museum’s extensive holdings.

6. Programs, Tours, and Public Events

CSPM provides free admission and develops a broad calendar of public engagement:

• Guided Tours

Drop-in tours offered weekly.

Group tours and field trips are available by reservation, with age-specific educational programs.

• Lecture Series

Presentations by historians, authors, and local experts on topics like civil rights, mountain ecology, and regional folklore.

• Family Fun Days

Seasonal events that include interactive exhibits, crafts, games, food trucks, music, and more.

Ideal for families with children of all ages.

• Walking Tours

“Journey to Pikes Peak”–themed walks explore historic streets and neighborhoods around the museum, led by staff or docents.

7. Events and Rentals

The museum’s restored spaces are available for private events:

The historic courtroom serves as an elegant venue for lectures, weddings, or corporate functions.

Indoor event spaces can accommodate up to 150 seated or 450 standing guests.

Full A/V capabilities and event coordination available upon request.

8. Visitor Information

Location: 215 South Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Admission: Free (donations encouraged)

Hours:

Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Closed Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays

Accessibility: Fully ADA-compliant, with elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms.

Parking: Limited metered parking nearby; public garages within walking distance.

Summary

The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is a meticulously curated destination that captures the deep, multifaceted history of the Pikes Peak region. It provides a meaningful, inclusive lens through which visitors can explore not just the tales of pioneer settlers, but also the rich cultures and contributions of Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, artists, and women whose stories define the region. With interactive exhibits, archival resources, and a stunning historic building, CSPM stands as both a tribute and a living chronicle of southern Colorado’s evolving identity.