July 2024 – We hope you enjoy the summer and take some time to attend the Arts Council Chautauqua from July 29 through August 4. Our Lucretia Vaile Museum will be open on Wednesday and Saturday during this fun community event. We hope you relax and read a good book. May we suggest our newest publication by Dan Edwards which tells the history of the Monument Nursery. It is available at our museum, upcoming events and at the Covered Treasures Bookstore. Perfect reading for a lazy summer day.

Thursday, August 15  “All Aboard”  Pikes Peak Trolley Museum Member’s Field Trip 

2333 Steel Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

We hope you can join us for this special field trip designed especially for YOU our valued member. Fun for all ages… 

Thursday, August 15  from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. FREE for Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) members and their guests. Step back in time…

John Haney, co-founder, will lead a museum tour with many interesting collections including vintage photographs, model train displays…then onto the workshops where trolley cars are lovingly restored by volunteers. See the “Polar Express” exhibit donated by past member, Gary Coleman.  It will be a fun and relaxing morning.

RSVP by e-mailing our Vice President, Diane at Kokesdm@yahoo.com, or by calling the museum  719-559-0837 (leave message).

We’ll meet at: The Pikes Peak Trolley Museum

2333 Steel Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Please pack a light lunch and we’ll gather after the tour in the museum for socializing and light refreshments. Sure to be a fun time together.

Directions: I-25 South take exit 145. East on Fillmore to 2^nd right onto Steel.  Drive several miles (past landscaping company), if you cross the RR tracks you’ve gone too far.  The Trolley Museum is on the right.

Past Event: Covered Treasures Bookstore, 105 Second Street, Monument, CO 719-481-2665 hosted Daniel Edwards for an illustrated talk on his book The U.S. Forest Service Monument Nursery, 1907-1965 on Saturday, June 22 from 11:00-12:30.    Books will be on sale. Covered Treasures is located on the corner in downtown historic Monument, CO. The book is published by the Palmer Lake Historical Society.  

Past Event: The tradition continued…FATHER’S DAY ICE CREAM SOCIAL – was Sunday, June 16, 2024 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Ice Cream, Pie, Music. Bring your lawn chair to enjoy the Village Green next to the Palmer Lake Town Hall. FREE and open to the public. (Rain or Shine). Museum was open for tours from 2:00-4:00 and is next to the Village Green. Great for all ages.

Past Event: Thursday, JUNE 6: Book Launch 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm- (Doors open at 6:30 pm)

Introducing our newest publication: The U.S. Forest Service Monument Nursery, 1907-1965 by author Dan Edwards – published by the Palmer Lake Historical Society.

Did you know that at Monument, Colorado the U.S. Forest Service raised millions of trees for planting in the Rocky Mountain West?

We thank Dan for his hard work researching and writing this interesting book which tells about the work conducted in Monument for almost sixty years by dedicated federal employees of the U.S. Forest Service.

Please join the Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) and enjoy a presentation by author Dan Edwards, who will give an illustrative talk about the history of the Monument Nursery and share the story about why the book was written.  Open to the public. Stay afterwards for light refreshments and socializing.

The Palmer Lake Historical Society, publisher, is an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the Palmer Divide area since 1956.

Books will be available for sale through the Lucretia Vaile Museum,  Covered Treasures bookstore in Monument and at these “Book Launch” programs and events.

Past Event:  Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Gail Beaton as “Colorado’s Rosie The Riveter” – Chautauqua Style

We had a special evening with humanities award winning author Gail Beaton portraying “Colorado’s Rosie the Riveter”. After her performance, in Chautauqua tradition, Gail took questions as the character, then answered questions as the scholar/actor. It was an enjoyable time. Gail has earned two master’s degrees — one in United States History and one in Public History — from University of Colorado Denver.

Gail Beaton portrays “Colorado’s Rosie the Riveter” from 7:00 – 8:30 at the Palmer Lake Town Hall. Doors open at 6:30. Please stay afterwards for light refreshments and socializing. Bring a friend or two! FREE and open to the public.

Past Event: Thursday, April 18, 2024 “History of the Pikes Peak Trolley Museum”

John Haney spoke about the history of the Pikes Peak Trolley Museum and Restoration shop. We learned about the “Polar Express” and the history of trolleys in the Pikes Peak area. It was an enjoyable evening and was fun for all.

Past Event: March 21, 2024 “The History of Monument Cemetery Since 1886” 

Join the Palmer Lake Historical Society to learn about the Monument Cemetery.  WHEN: Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 7:00 PM—8:30 PM (doors open at 6:30) WHERE: Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent Street, Palmer Lake , CO. The Program is FREE and open to the public. Bring a friend or two.

Among those buried there are a victim of a saloon shootout and some who died under very unusual circumstances. John Howe and Michael Weinfeld will talk about what they found in their years of research.  Come join us and learn about the Monument Cemetery founded in 1886, FREE and open to the public. Please stay afterwards for some light refreshments and socializing.

In case of inclement weather we follow the school district for closures, we want everyone to be safe.

Past FEBRUARY Event – Thursday, February 15, 2024 “UNION PRINTERS HOME” Past, Present, Future.                               

Palmer Lake Historical Society presented Ellie Hinkle, Director of History and Archives for the Union Printers Home.

For more than 130 years, the Union Printers Home has been an  iconic landmark for the Colorado Springs area. Many postcards celebrate this magnificent retirement home for members in the printing and typographic union. Come learn about this impressive building with an amazing history.

In 2021, the property was purchased by a group of local investors who plan to redevelop it into something new while preserving its historical integrity. Bring a friend or two for this special program.

Doors open at 6:30 PM, program starts at 7:00 PM.  Please stay afterwards for light refreshments and socializing.

In case of inclement weather, we follow District 38 weather alerts. We want everyone to be safe.

About the Palmer Lake Historical Society

Mission: The mission of the Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) is to preserve, protect, promote, and provide access to historical data, artifacts and other items of significance relating to the Palmer Divide area and make resources available to the public primarily through the Lucretia Vaile Museum and annual programming.

Goals: The primary goals and objectives of the Palmer Lake Historical Society are to assemble, preserve, display (as feasible), and interpret historical objects and printed material pertaining to the Palmer Divide area that includes Palmer Lake, Monument, School District 38, the U. S. Air Force Academy, and as far east as Table Rock.

Please consider joining the Palmer Lake Historical Society. Various levels of participation available including family and senior memberships. All ages welcome. Newcomers to the area are welcome!

The Background of the Palmer Lake Historical Society

In 1956, a group of residents recommended that a manuscript detailing the founding of Monument, Palmer Lake and the surrounding Palmer Divide region be published. To accomplish this, they also recommended that a historical society be formed to continue the preservation of the area’s history. 

At the Lucretia Vaile Museum in Palmer Lake, CO you will find exhibits showcasing the Palmer Divide history. The Palmer Lake Historical Society is a 501 C3 educational non-profit organization. All staff and board members are volunteers serving the community, sharing history and stories of the past.

Our JANUARY Event – Thursday, January 18, 2024                                                                                         HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL POTLUCK SUPPER & MEMBERSHIP MEETING

    Come join the Palmer Lake Historical Society as we celebrate the new year with our Annual Potluck & Membership Meeting. (Doors open at 5:30 PM) Potluck starts at 6:30 PM.

The Tradition Continues…

Join us for our Annual Potluck Supper and Membership Meeting. We’ll provide the ham, rolls, coffee and tea. You bring something to share (salad, dessert or side dish). We’ll have a short retrospective of our 2023 activities and, a preview of upcoming programs. We will also have members of our board present various topics such as membership, special projects, bridge project and benefits of volunteering.

Followed by a short business meeting including the nomination and election of 2024 officers. Doug Lang, treasurer, Patricia Atkins, secretary and Diane Kokes, vice president will be continuing their service for another year. We are still looking for a dedicated president to bring us into the future. If you are interested in volunteering as president, please let us know. Nominations and election will be held by members.

It will be a delightful evening!

In case of inclement weather, we follow District 38 weather alerts. We want everyone to be safe.

COME AND ENJOY A HISTORICAL TRADITION

2023 Yule Log Community Potluck – Potluck is Wednesday, December 13, 2023. 6:00 – 8:30. Please bring a dish to share and come prepared to make Yule Log souvenir lapel pins. Bring pocket knives to whittle and scissors to cut the greenery and ribbon.  FREE and open to the public. A holiday experience that takes you back in time with laughter and stories to hear.

2023 Yule Log Hunt – Sunday, December 17, 2023. 1:00 – 3:00. Meet your neighbors and share in the holiday spirit. FREE and open to the public. Come see the celebration in its 90th year. The finder of the log gets the first cup of wassail. This tradition has been going on since 1933. The longest running Yule Log Ceremony in the country.

OUR PAST NOVEMBER EVENT – Thursday, November 16, 2023

   Join the Palmer Lake Historical Society for a special evening with Jim Sawatzki, Telly award winning and Emmy nominated producer and director. 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at the Palmer Lake Town Hall located at 42 Valley Crescent Street, Palmer Lake, CO. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Please stay afterwards for light refreshments and socializing. FREE and open to the public.

  In honor of Veteran’s Day, enjoy a 60-minute film documenting the founder of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad and Colorado Springs, CO. A Civil War hero, railroad builder, and benefactor. His Quaker roots influenced his desire to make a better world for others in the new American West. By all outward appearances, he was wealthy and accomplished, but his private life would prove to be most bittersweet.

In case of inclement weather, we follow District 38 weather alerts. We want everyone to be safe.

OUR PAST OCTOBER EVENT – Thursday, October 19, 2023 – Thank you Amy!

Come join the Palmer Lake Historical Society as we meet Amy Burch, Palmer Lake resident and co-author of The Glen Eyrie Story. Amy will speak on the history of the Glen Eyrie and Palmer Lake’s namesake General William Jackson Palmer.

Venture beyond the gates of Glen Eyrie to explore the history of a castle and magnificent landscape nestled in the foothills of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Experience more than one hundred and fifty years of romance, adversity, adventure, ingenuity, and faith in The Glen Eyrie Story.

From 1871 to 1909, Glen Eyrie was home General William Jackson Palmer, railroad magnate and founder of Colorado Springs. Today, Glen Eyrie serves as the conference and retreat ministry of The Navigators, continuing Palmer’s legacy of service and hospitality. Amy’s book features more than 130 photographs, drawings, blueprints and archival manuscripts, The Glen Eyrie Story is an exploration of the past and a look at the present of this beautiful estate nestled in the mountains of Colorado.

Doors open at 6:30 PM, program starts at 7:00 PM. Light refreshments will be served after the program. FREE & open to the public. Books will be on sale.

In case of inclement weather, we follow District 38 weather alerts. We want everyone to be safe.

OUR PAST SEPTEMBER EVENT WAS – Thursday, September 21, 2023 “Trip to Antarctica” – Thank you John!

Come see John Spidell present his “Trip to the Antarctica” with the National Geographic expeditions. FREE and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 and program starts at 7:00. Stay for refreshments after program for socializing. Will be presented at the Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent Street, Palmer Lake, CO. Bring a friend or two and enjoy a wonderful evening learning about Antarctica. John has sponsored our “Father’s Day Ice Cream Social” for several years now. We value John’s interest in history and his support over the years.

Palmer Lake a Historical Narrative by Marion S. Sabin

This edition is truly the Best Book About the Remarkable History of the Town of Palmer Lake.

This 148 page book tells the story of the Town of Palmer Lake, Colorado, from before its beginning until about 1989 which was the centennial of the incorporation of the Town. Sabin did extensive research, and her work is well documented with cross-references. The history of Palmer Lake closely parallels the early development of the Denver & Rio Grande and Santa Fe Railroads. The rise and fall of railroad passenger service and the new automobile changed the town in many ways.

The book is extensively illustrated with over seventy-five new or re-scanned photographs and illustrations. The person index now covers all chapters in the book. Where known, facts that were in error have been researched and corrected.

Pine Crest: From Columbine Park to a Methodist Camp, 1897-1973

The Palmer Lake Historical Society presents Occasional Paper No. 5 Pine Crest: From Columbine Park to a Methodist Camp, 1897-1973, written by Daniel W. Edwards and published August 2020. 

This 52-page, spiral-bound publication is illustrated throughout with black and white photographs and draws extensively on the historical materials held in the archives of the Iliff School of  Theology in Denver. The essay traces the history of the park from its development in 1897 as a small recreational site, through its development and later sale to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and ends with the Methodist church’s sale of the property in 1973.