Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum Receives National Recognition

From City of Colorado Springs:

Fri, 07/26/2019 - 10:14am

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO July 17, 2019 – The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (CSPM) has once again received one of the highest recognition available to any museum in the United States, accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Initially accredited in 1992, the CSPM must undergo an extensive evaluation every ten years in order to maintain that status.

Accreditation is a mark of distinction signifying that the CSPM meets national standards and best practices for U.S. museums. As such, it remains a member of a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence. Through a rigorous process of self-assessment and review by its peers, the CSPM has shown itself to be a good steward of its resources held in public trust and committed to a philosophy of continual institutional growth.

In its decision letter dated July 10, 2019, the AAM Accreditation Commission noted:

“We are impressed by the way the museum is seeking and responding to input from the community and incorporating that information into its exhibitions and program offerings—this is a great example of embodying the principles of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.”

The AAM documentation also included praise for the level of engagement in school programs, the commitment to the institution’s strategic vision, and for how the CSPM explores local history in a way that transcends local boundaries.

Matt Mayberry, CSPM Director, said, "We are extremely proud of our status as an accredited institution. It is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the CSPM staff, board members, and volunteers as they strive to preserve and share the history of the Pikes Peak region. The accreditation process helps to keep us focused on the most important aspects of our operation, and it also ensures stakeholders and the public that the CSPM is deserving of their trust.”

A study conducted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services indicates that there are approximately 33,000 museums in the country. There are currently 1,072 U.S. museums that have earned AAM accreditation. The CSPM is one of only 24 museums in Colorado to achieve that status.

The CSPM currently has a number of major projects underway. Included among these are plans to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Colorado Springs in 1871. Over the next two years, the museum will unveil three significant exhibits that will result in upgrades to over 25% of its gallery space. The first of these exhibits, Evidence: Finding the Facts about General William Jackson Palmer, opens to the public on September 14, 2019, and it will feature objects uncovered during a recent archaeologic excavation in Garden of the Gods Park.

About the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum: Ignite Your Curiosity. Discover Your Story. Located in the beautifully restored 1903 El Paso County Courthouse in downtown Colorado Springs at 215 S. Tejon, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum’s mission is to build a connection to the Pikes Peak Region by preserving and sharing our cultural history. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission to the Museum is FREE! For more information, visit www.cspm.org (link is external), connect with CSPM on Facebook and Twitter, or call 719-385-5990.

This press release was produced by the City of Colorado Springs. The views expressed here are the author’s own.