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IGNITE your curiosity.
DISCOVER your story.
AUGUST 2018
Discovering Elsie Palmer
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DISCOVERING ELSIE PALMER
John Singer Sargent’s spellbinding portrait of Elsie Palmer recently returned home to Colorado Springs
from Ightham Mote, a medieval manor house near Sevenoaks, in Kent, England. The painting has
been on loan to Ightham Mote, which now belongs to the National Trust of Britain, but was once
the residence of Queen Palmer and her daughters in the 1880s. In honor of Elsie’s return, CSPM is
participating in an exhibit titled, P.S. I Love You: A Portrait of Miss Elsie
Palmer at the Fine Arts Center to highlight the history of the painting and
of the Palmer family. Several dozen artifacts from CSPM’s collections
were loaned to the FAC for the exhibition including diaries, photographs,
historic clothing and the Palmer family’s Steinway piano.
John Singer Sargent’s striking painting of Elsie Palmer known simply as A
Portrait or more contemporarily Portrait of Miss Elsie Palmer has perplexed
audiences from the time it first appeared at the New Gallery, London in
1891. Owned by the family for decades, the painting was later acquired
by the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center in 1969. The Palmer family met
John Singer Sargent through a wide circle of artistic & literary luminaries
they befriended in England when Queen and her daughters moved
abroad in the mid-1880s.
Sargent, an artist renowned for
his skill and speed in creating
provocative likenesses of his sitters,
struggled with capturing seventeen
year old Elsie Palmer. He met with
Elsie at the family’s home, Ightham
Mote on October 31, 1889 to begin
her portrait. It took the painter more
than a year to capture the essence
of a teenager in metamorphosis.
Working alternately at his Tite Street
studio in Chelsea, and visits to the
Mote, the painter and sitter formed
an unlikely friendship. In the end
he remained unsatisfied with his
work. Writing to Elsie, “…I want to
do something more to your portrait,
so won’t you wait … to have it
photographed?” Sargent never
defined the term “something more”
and his work on the painting ceased soon thereafter.
Photos from the collections of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Elsie Palmer, Oak Cottage 1895
ON THE COVER:
John Singer Sargent
American (1856-1925)
Portrait of Miss Elsie Palmer (A Lady in White)
1889-1890
Oil on canvas
Collection of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado
College
Funds acquired through public subscription and Debutante Ball
Purchase Funds, FA1969.3
MUSELETTER AUGUST 2018| PG 2
To learn more about the story behind the portrait
join CSPM and FAC for the Discovering Elsie Palmer
Program Series on September 14 & 15. Details can
be found under Upcoming Events.
Dorothy Palmer
Marjorie Palmer
׉	 7cassandra://i69lQZuOSYK3lUrZynI1Hsz4TzA8F9wUXCzqrzpAnQgN` [w1ޗgہ׉EGift of History Breakfast
Thursday, August 23
UPCOMING EVENTS
August & September 2018
7:30 am – 8:30 am (Doors open at 7 am)
Antlers Hotel
RSVP – 719- 385-5990 or email LJames@springsgov.com
Children’s History Hour - Hooray for Colorado!
Saturday, August 25
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Families are invited to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum for a history
adventure, normally on the third Wednesday and last Saturday of each
month! Children ages 3-6 will enjoy story time, a family-friendly exhibit tour,
and crafts and activities. We explore a new theme each month!
Reservations Required – 719- 385-5990 or visit www.cspm.org
$3 Suggested Donation per Child, Free for Members
Discovering Elsie Palmer Program Series - Presented by CSPM and FAC
Art & Book Talk with Donna Lucey
At the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W Dale St
Friday, September 14
5:30-6:30pm
Join Donna M. Lucey, author of Sargent’s Women, in a conversation about
Elsie Palmer and other subjects of portraits by John Singer Sargent. Drinks and
appetizers will be served starting at 5 p.m.
Reservations Required – Visit: www.csfineartscenter.org
Free and Open to the Public
Donna Lucey
Discovering Elsie Palmer Panel Discussion
At the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S Tejon St
Saturday, September 15
2:00-3:00pm
Join author Donna Lucey and local panelists for a fascinating discussion exploring the life and times
of Elsie Palmer.
Reservations Required – 719-385-5990 or visit: www.cspm.org
$5 Suggested Donation, Free for Members
Prior reading of Donna Lucey’s book, Sargent’s Women: Four Lives Behind the Canvas is recommended but not
required; the book is available for sale in the FAC Museum Shop and CSPM Museum Store.
MUSEUM STORE
“Everybody Welcome” by Kathleen Esmiol and Fannie May Duncan is back in print, and the store is restocked!
While you are checking out the store, pick up a bag of mouthwatering Honey caramels from Queen Bee
Gardens. Honey just makes one smile!
MUSELETTER AUGUST 2018| PG 3
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[w1ޗg۔׉EMUSEUM SPOTLIGHT!
Welcome to CSPM
Judy Zezula, Marketing Coordinator
A native of Colorado Springs, Judy’s 25+ year marketing
career served independent banking in the Colorado Springs
region where she managed marketing planning, advertising,
communications, and community events for a local independent
banking organization. She firmly believes in the value of investing
in her community and supporting local non-profit organizations.
It is that type of investment that is a large part of Judy’s passion,
so when she had the opportunity to become part of CSPM to
utilize her marketing skills to help promote CSPM and build these
connections, she was thrilled.
Judy attended the University of Colorado where she studied
business management and marketing and is a graduate of
the American Banking Association’s School of Bank Marketing. She serves as a member
of Partners In Housing’s event planning committee and supports several community
organizations through her volunteer efforts.
Ralph Collins, Facilities Technician II
Ralph’s experience working in facilities maintenance,
management, and planning for more than 18 years enables him to
work hands-on in maintaining and making repairs to the museum.
Additional responsibilities include day to day operations, as well as
project management.
Originally from New Jersey, Ralph spent the past nine years in
Colorado, followed by 18 years in Florida, before returning to
Colorado in 2018.
Ralph attended Burlington County Community College in New
Jersey, and in his spare time for the community, Ralph supports
Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care and the Humane Society of
the Pikes Peak region.
Partner Spotlight
MUSELETTER AUGUST 2018 | PG 4
׉	 7cassandra://8NaZV-kvkhxO64aaQ7wfRrLDqNsoHon7xKEqC2kGZHUT` [w1ޗgۃ׉Ed2018 marks eight years for CSPM’s
Junior Docent program! Each
May, local students entering
grades 6-12 go through an
application process that includes
a letter of recommendation and
an interview with our museum
staff. This summer 24 outstanding
students were selected
representing 19 different schools
and six school districts. The 2018
class welcomed 14 returning
students and 10 new additions.
15 groups from local day camps,
daycares and playgroups visited
the museum to participate in
CSPM’s programs. In the Sensing
History program, the Junior
Docents mastered five stations – relating to the five senses and craft activities as the children
rotated around the museum using their senses to explore regional history. The museum’s
weekly programs, for Weekend Warm-Up and the Children’s History Hour, were also
supported. When not guiding groups or leading activities for
families, the Junior Docents interpreted at exhibit stations
for walk-in guests where they were trained not only to share
information but also to use historical artifacts to help the
visitors connect with the local history.
Thank you Junior Docents-2018 Program!
The Junior Docents program helps build confidence,
develop public speaking skills, and teaches them how to
share regional history engagingly. Linnea, an 11th grader,
reflected on her summer, “Being a Junior Docent you
have a chance to supply the general public with historical
information and maintain our city
and state’s history. We are all a part
of our Colorado Springs’ culture, so
for the museum to be a relatable
space for everyone is key. The
Junior Docent program has helped
Aspen & Jessica lending
help with a project
me personally. I’m more confident in my speech, and I am able to
appreciate the experience of working with all kinds of individuals.”
Linnea, Junior Docent
We are extremely grateful for the Junior Docents. The program’s
success attributes to their volunteering to serve. This summer, they
clocked-in more than 930 hours! Please join us in thanking these
incredible young people and wish them well as they start a new
school year!
MUSELETTER AUGUST 2018 | PG 5
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[w1	ޗgۖ׉EMore than 1,600 visitors came to the museum on a beautiful summer day to enjoy CSPM’s 6th
Annual Colorado Grown Festival celebrating our history & heritage! It was complete with food
trucks, live music, Colorado’s 142nd Birthday celebration, local history exhibits, and many familyfriendly
activities both inside and out. Thank you to everyone who made the day such a success!
Interactive Farm Animal Experience by Wishing Star Farms
Free Concert by Wirewood Station
Family-Friendly Soda Garden by
Field House Brewing Company, Peaks n Pines and Cerberus Brewing Company
Local Food Trucks - Bison Brothers Food Truck, High Grade Foods, and the Springs Cupcake Truck
Colorado’s 142nd Birthday Cake Celebration
Free Photo Booth
Historic Games
C.S. Fire Department Fire Truck
PikeRide Bike Share
Kids’ Craft Station
Face Painting
Piecing Partners Quilt Guild
Colorado Vintage Baseball Association
Money Museum
Public Archaeology
MUSELETTER AUGUST 2018 | PG 6
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Colorado Grown Family Fun Day July 28, 2018
MUSELETTER AUGUST 2018 | PG 7
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