The Palmer Lake Historical Society
Become a Member Today!                   Â
We are a 501 (C)(3) educational nonprofit and the only organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Palmer Divide area since 1956.
Click on our “Join Today” link to learn more and to obtain a membership form.
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.
GoalsÂ
The primary goals and objectives of the Palmer Lake Historical Society are to assemble, preserve, display, 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 (now Black Forest).
The secondary goal and purpose—no less important—is to sponsor, maintain, ensure the continuance of, and be responsible for the activities and commitments of the Lucretia Vaile Museum. The Society hosts monthly historical talks and field trips. See our upcoming events within our Current Events section.
The Society serves our greater community by publishing books, pamphlets, the commissioning/sponsoring of historical DVDs, and by placing historical markers throughout Monument and Palmer Lake.
Two significant public-art history sculptures have been placed with “Come Dizzy” the German Shepherd in the Palmer Lake Village Green and the “Monument 1879” bas-relief panel located in the Town Hall of Monument. Both were a gift from the Society to the people of the two towns.
Please help us in our effort to preserve the irreplaceable historical heritage of our area. The Society and Museum need your donations of time and money to operate. We can’t survive without your support! Click here to make a donation.
More About Us
2024 Officers and Board of DirectorsÂ
Our NEW 2024 President is Jeannine Engel. Jeannine is a long-time resident and very deserving of being our president. Jeannine has been a director at Large this past year and is an active docent for the Lucretia Vaile Museum. We welcome Jeannine and are so glad for her experience and leadership. Thank you, Jeannine, for volunteering with us in 2024. We look forward to working with you and accomplishing many great things.
We are currently looking for an additional Director at Large. If you are interested in meeting new people and sharing in and utilizing the talents you have nurtured over the years, please consider joining us.
Thank you to Diane Kokes for filling in this year as Acting President, you did a great job!
Welcome to our newest Director at Large, Kathie Lombardy Kaufer, a long time Palmer Lake resident will bring much enthusiasm to our board. We welcome Kathie and look forward to her many contributions. Kathie enjoys meeting new people and is looking forward to being a part of our Board. Kathie’s previous volunteering includes the Ronald McDonald House and the Mining Museum.
All our Officers and Board of Directors are volunteers. Without their many hours and dedication to community service, the many fine projects and accomplishments of the PLHS would not have been possible.
Please join us. We have many opportunities to help plan programs and events, provide hospitality and help preserve the mission of the Palmer Lake Historical Society.
Projects include: The Annual Potluck Supper and Membership Meeting in January, monthly programs throughout the year including our Father’s Day Ice Cream Social in June, Historical Chautauqua, our annual Tri-Lakes calendar and more…
Jeannine Engel, President
Diane Kokes, Vice President
Patricia Atkins, Secretary
Doug Lang, Treasurer
Roger Davis, Museum Director and Curator
Barbara Morehead, Director at Large
Heather Kruger, Director at Large
Wayne Russert, Director at Large
Kathie Lombardy Kaufer, Director at Large
Newsletter Archives
Volume 16 Issue 3, November 2022
Volume 16 Issue 2, August 2022
Volume 15 Issue 3, December 2021
Volume 15 Issue 2, August 2021
Volume 15, Issue 1, April 2021
Volume 14, Issue 3, December 2020
Volume 14 Issue 2, August 2020
Volume 13 Issue 3, January 2020
Volume 13 Issue 2, August 2019
Volume 12 Issue 3, December 2018
Volume 12 Issue 2, August 2018
Volume 11 Issue 3, December 2017
Volume 11 Issue 2, August 2017
Volume 10 Issue 3, December 2016
Volume 8 Issue 3, December 2014
Volume 8 Issue 2, September 2014
Volume 6 Issue 3, December 2012
Volume 6 Issue 1, January 2012
Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2011
Volume 3 Issue 4, December 2009
Volume 3 Issue 3, September 2009
Volume 2 Issue 3, November 2008
Volume 2 Issue 1, January 2008
Accomplishments
In 1956, a group of citizens recommended that a manuscript written by Marion Savage Sabin detailing the founding of Palmer Lake, Monument, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes region, entitled “Palmer Lake, A Historical Narrative,” be published. To accomplish this, they also recommended that a Historical Society be formed to continue the preservation of the area’s history.
The Palmer Lake Historical Society was subsequently founded by Marian McIntyre-McDonough and was incorporated with a full slate of officers and directors.
The Society established a museum, which later became the Lucretia Vaile Museum, and expanded its scope to collecting the history and artifacts from the Palmer Divide area.
The Society publishes histories of Monument, Palmer Lake, and the area surrounding these towns with additional research and historical publications planned.
1964
The Society opened a museum housed in the present Palmer Lake Police Department offices (originally the AT&SF Section Foreman house).
1981
The Society helped fund construction and moved to the new Lucretia Vaile Library and Museum.
1998
The Society provided a lake fountain to replicate a fountain that existed at the turn of the century.
2001
The Society and the Town of Palmer Lake completed a memorial honoring William (Bill) J. Crawford who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for action during WWII.
2006
The Society commissioned a bronze statue of “Dizzy” a German Shepherd as a gift to the people of Palmer Lake. The statue commemorated the Society's 50th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of the Palmer Lake Star. Dizzy helped build “The Star.”
2008
The Society presented the first Return of the Rocky Mountain Chautauqua Assembly to Palmer Lake.
2009
The Society commissioned a bas-relief panel to commemorate significant historical events and people of the Town of Monument. The panel, along with additional historical artworks, on display in the new Monument Town Hall represent a gift of the Society to the people of Monument and the Palmer Divide area.
The Society began the Annual Colorado Springs Native American Powwow.
2013
Partnered with One Nation Walking Together, a Colorado Springs Native charity, the Society moves the powwow indoors to the Freedom Financial Services EXPO Center (now Mortgage Solutions Financial EXPO Center) in Colorado Springs, ensuring its sustainability.
2015
The society began annual summer field trips to unique historic sites in the Palmer Divide region such as the Estemere historic home tour, Three Eagles Ranch, and the Monument Tree Farm.
2016
The Society turned 60 on October 18 (founded in 1956), a mighty feat for an all-volunteer organization!
2017
Lucretia Vaile Museum began assessment and evaluation, preservation, storage, and accessioning of the clothing collection (over 300 items catalogued electronically by 2019).
Published children’s coloring book of local sites and figures.
2018
The Society participated in the IndyGive! non-profit fundraising campaign bringing in $4,234.
2019
PLHS reprinted its flagship publication, Palmer Lake: A Historical Narrative by Marion S. Sabin. The 5th edition includes 75 photographs and illustrations as well as new information including a People Index for all names mentioned in the book.
Lucretia Vaile Museum hosted a Trick or Treat for local youth.
Palmer Lake Town Hall was accepted to Colorado State Register of Historic Properties due to the diligent work of members of the Society and the community.
2020
Development of the Society's updated website which was released in January 2021
Future
Vaile Museum building and exhibit expansions and new publications are projects under consideration.