WISHING YOU CONTINUED HEALTH AND SAFETY!
A Note from the Museum Board
Celebrating its 69th year, Salida museum continues to be a vital repository of our cultural heritage. Thanks for being a friend of the museum. Your support means everything. Your willingness to volunteer, we welcome with open arms!
COVID is still with us, but the fear-factor wanes as we learn more about it. Visitors came back this summer in substantial numbers.
Please read on in this newsletter about changes, new developments and other museum activities. In memoriam, we observe the passing of Forrest Whitman, 1942-2023, a dear friend of the museum and the community at large.
Thank you for your continued support. Special thanks goes to the volunteer docents who keep the museum open for visitors.
by Mike Rosso
Forrest Whitman, rail buff, historian and friend of the Salida Museum passed away on September 28 at the age of 80 after a long bout with Parkinson’s Disease.
He was a former Gilpin County commissioner and played Governor Gilpin at historical events throughout Colorado. He was a regular columnist for the Gilpin County Weekly Register-Call as well as Colorado Central Magazine and hosted a regular radio program on KHEN radio called “On the Rails.” Forrest was a member of the Colorado Rail Passenger Association and had worked on the four different railroads that branched from his hometown, Chicago.
He received his his doctorate in ministry from the University of Chicago and Meadville Lombard Theological School and moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 1972. He later moved to Rollinsville, Colorado, where he lived in a converted caboose, and eventually settled in Salida. His position as a minister led him to marry many couples throughout the state and his knowledge of Colorado history was extensive.
A memorial was held for him on October 8 in Salida.
The following poem was contributed by Linda Erickson in Forrest’s memory.
Going Home
by Willa Cather
(Burlington Route)
How smoothly the trains run beyond the Missouri;
Even in my sleep I know when I have crossed
the river.
The wheels turn as if they were glad to go;
The sharp curves and windings left behind,
The roadway wide open,
(The crooked straight
And the rough places plain.)
They run smoothly, they run softly, too.
There is not noise enough to trouble the lightest
sleeper.
Nor jolting to wake the weary-hearted.
I open my window and let the air blow in,
The air of morning,
That smells of grass and earth—
Earth, the grain-giver.
How smoothly the trains run beyond the Missouri;
Even in my sleep I know when I have crossed
the river.
The wheels turn as if they were glad to go;
They run like running water,
Like Youth, running away . . .
They spin bright along the bright rails,
Singing and humming,
Singing and humming.
They run remembering,
They run rejoicing,
As if they, too, were going home.
Salida History: Repeating Itself?
by Arlene Shovald, Ph.D.
One of the earliest women’s organizations in Salida was the Ladies Whist Club, founded in 1899. The Whist Club eventually evolved into Bridge. Now, more than a century later, a Salida Bridge Club is being formed. So it seems that old saying, “what goes around, comes around” has some truth to it.
Newcomers to Salida, Sue and Randy Bauer, have taught and played Bridge and still do at their former home in suburban Colorado. Anyone interested in learning the game is invited to join the Salida Bridge Club from 11 am. to 3 p.m. every Thursday at the Hampton Inn on U.S. Highway 50 for a light lunch, a lesson and game of duplicate bridge. More information or a reservation can be made by calling 303-641-3534.
The game of Whist originated in England, dating back to the 16th century. Whist underwent many changes over the years, ultimately becoming was is known today as Bridge. Whist was a popular card game in the 1800s, and the Salida group based its rules and etiquette on those adopted by the Fourth American Whist Congress of Philadelphia in 1894. Information on the Ladies Whist Club of Salida came from the late Lois Rush in a 1980 interview. Mrs. Rush said the Ladies Whist Club was the earliest ladies organization in the community that she knew of.
Rules of the Ladies Whist Club were very strict, and it was a honor to belong since membership was by invitation only. Members were wives of business and professional men in Salida. The first president was Mrs. William W. Roller in 1899. (You may notice, women never had first names in those days. They only used their husband’s names. ) Other officers were Mrs. Ralph F. Davis, vice president and Mrs. Benjamin Disman, secretary and treasurer.
According to the rules of 1899, any loud talking, laughing or argument disturbing other players would be considered a misdemeanor liable to a fine of two chips or tricks. Members finishing first were not allowed to talk or in any way disturb the quiet of the game on penalty of suspension. Membership was limited to 16.
The Ladies Whist Club was strictly business, at least until after all the games were played. Meetings were held in members’ homes but no refreshments were permitted. Only after all games were finished was “small talk” allowed.
Originally the Ladies Whist Club played with four tables of players, but a notation in the minutes from 1904 states “As three ladies dropped out (Mrs. Catlin, Mrs. Green and Mrs. Gravert) it was decided we should play with three tables and that Mrs. McGovern would be the official substitute.”
The club disbanded sometime after 1963 as charter members died off and others moved out of the area to be closer to adult children. Members as of 1963 were Mrs. Rush, Dougherty, Stanley, Hightower, Hutchinson, King, Roney and F. Smith.
The Ladies Whist Club of Salida eventually changed its name to the Monday Bridge Club. What became of that club remains unknown, but the formation of the new Salida Bridge Club is seeing history repeat itself – only with a much more relaxed format than in the original rigid rules of Whist.
Summer Roundup
by Earle Kittleman
Great News! Visitors are coming back after the COVID drought. We averaged about a dozen per day through the summer, open Wednesday through Sunday.
In May, the museum added to its collection a vintage 1930 Brunswick radio in a beautiful wood cabinet. Greg Peak of Salida buys old cabinet items to fix up and refinish, but this piece was in such good condition that he did not want to touch it. After he fixed the electronics and got the radio working again, he decided the museum should have it. The radio apparently belonged to someone in the Poncha Springs area.
The collection of FIBArk buttons is now complete. The famous whitewater festival started in 1949 and they started printing buttons in 1954 and every year thereafter. Thanks to Alan and Linda Becker who made a framed display with room for future additions. It now hangs in the FIBArk exhibit at the museum.
In June, Donna Rhoads came to the museum to sign copies of her new book: THE STORY OF FIBARK FIRST IN BOATING ON THE ARKANSAS. She sold more than 50 copies and visited with quite a few old-time Salidans including former commodores Jim Dickson and Kirby Perschbacher. The book is now on sale at the museum.
The book bears the red FIBArk 75th anniversary seal on the front cover and is filled with color photos, contestant records and historical narration 1949-2023. FIBArk historian Donna Rhoads served on the board for nine years and served as Commodore of the 1997 festival.
In August, some 20 members of the Read and Vaughn families visited the museum during a family reunion in Salida.
Board member Arlene Shovald arranged the group for a picture under the umbrella, which advertises Geo. V. Vaughn merchandise. The reunion was organized by Lynette Graff (standing, second row, left). She is the great granddaughter of Salida merchant George Washington Vaughn, who opened his Feed, Hardware and Implement store on G Street in 1902. Vaughn’s son Lester Leroy Vaughn came with him from Kansas and helped run the store. Vaughn’s second marriage in Salida produced six children. The family resided at 616 West 1st St.
Also in August, the museum received a Civil War era rifle that belonged to the late Douglas Brown, nephew of John Lawrence Crook. Crook, who went by Lawrence, owned a ranch near Hwys 285 and 291 and donated some of the arrowheads in the museum collection. Michael Youngberg of Tuttle, Oklahoma donated the “trapdoor” type rifle and explained its significance in military history.
Saturday, Sept. 23, Michael Espinosa attracted a full house to present his new book about the Espinosa Outlaws as first told by Michael’s grandfather Humberto Espinosa, then transcribed by his father L. Andres Espinosa and finally edited in book form by Michael. “It has taken three generations of Espinosas to bring this book to light,” Michael said. The reign of terror staged by the Espinosas was the violent reaction to murders and assaults committed by invading Americanos after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War 1846-1848. We thought the book was compelling and felt it was important to hear this story from the Hispanic point of view. It was also a way to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). “Trail of the Espinosa Outlaws: Reign of Terror 1857 to 1863” by L. Andrés Espinosa, Michaell A. Espinosa, Ed., 346 pages, May 2023, $28, can be ordered at www.VanishingHorizons.com or call 719-561-0993 for more information.
In September, Art Hutchinson of Salida donated an oil painting, 3 x 2 ½-foot framed, portrait of Chief Ouray and Chipeta signed Rod Farney, Jr. ’75. Art said his father purchased the painting in 1975 from Farney who was the art teacher at Salida High School. It hung over the fireplace in his father Wendel’s house on the Hutchinson Ranch.
Museum Exhibits
by Bonnie Konopka
Some fun Salida Museum finds:
Knights of Pythias-Friendship-Charity-Benevolence
Salida Museum houses some fantastic costumes and other paraphernalia from local Knights of Pythias Lodge #19.
The lodge had their first meeting on May 22, 1882. The members met at the Old Fellows Hall initially and then in the 1890’s the moved into their own building “The Knights of Pythias” at 201 F St.
After gaining the full support of Abraham Lincoln it was the first fraternal order chartered by Congress. It offered insurance to the average working man by 1887. Members also helped each other in need. Rituals involved costumes, headdresses, swords, and other regalia.
Come over to the museum to learn more about the organization and see who Salida’s prominent members included.
Library Corner
by Joy Jackson
Salida Regional Library Archivist
In June 1998, the theatrical production ‘Arkansas Valley Voices’ was performed at the Salida Steamplant. Two years earlier, Jeanne Rasmussen conceived the idea of a historical recreation with songs, dancing, images, and a chorus of voices who recited news samples from the past. The sold-out production ran for five days.
According to the press release, “Arkansas Valley Voices tells the story of the history of Chaffee County from 1870 until the end of World War II. In researching this tale some common themes emerged: concerns over disobedient adolescents, complaints of over-watered lawns, and predictions of the demise of the family, themes that are still in vogue according to the local press.”
Production researchers met at the Salida Library and pored over old newspapers from the 1880s to the 1940s in preparation. Local families were interviewed and actors and dancers recruited.
The images used in the production were not labeled but came from Chaffee County families and individuals who donated their use. Archival images were provided by Bob Rush, Wendell Hutchinson, Verneal Cross, Richard Dixon, Donna Nevens, the Salida Historical Society, Buena Vista Heritage Museum, and the following valley families: Baumdicker, Flowers, Forman, Gentry, Herrly, Larkin, Love, Morrison, Scanga, Roman, and Turner.
You can see the entire production at the library’s site here:
https://digital.salidalibrary.org/arkansas-valley-voices-at-the-salida-steamplant/
Joy Jackson works at the front desk and in the Archives at the Salida Library. See more images and history at digital.salidalibrary.org
2024 Museum Calendar
The 2024 museum calendar is still available, and has been so popular that we had to order more copies. The calendar features hand-colored postcard photos of the Salida area, most of them from the early 1900’s, and are available for purchase at several Salida businesses as well as at the museum. Salida businesses selling the calendar include Hodge Podge, Old Log Cabin Antiques, FatTees, The Salida Five and Dime, Mixing Bowl, and the Salida Chamber of Commerce.
Museum Board of Directors
The current museum board of directors is comprised of the following:
President, Bob Campbell
Secretary, Earle Kittleman, 719-221-3685
Treasurer, Larry Kovacic, 505-280-4831
Board Member, Judith Kinzie, 719-539-9439
Board Member, Arlene Shovald, 719-539-3139
Board Member, Bonnie Konopka, 505-270-6523
Board Member, Terry Pintane, 719,221,4177
We wish to thank Margaret Dean, who volunteers as a board representative from Maysville. The members of the South Arkansas Landowners Association (SALA), comprising residents in the Maysville area, do a lot of work taking care of the historic Maysville School, which is owned by the museum. We appreciate their efforts to maintain the school as a historic landmark and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.
Museum Docents
Giff Kriebel
Terry Pintane
Dennis Kapela
Earle Kittleman
Bonnie Konopka
Larry Kovacic
Many thanks go to our docents; they are the reason the Salida Museum can be open to visitors.
If you are interested in becoming a board member and coming to one meeting a month (minimal commitment, few summer meetings), let us know. We would be very happy to talk to you about joining our team. Our board meetings are open to the public, so if you want to attend one and find out if you’re interested, the meetings are the third Wednesday of the month, 11:00am, at the museum.
Support the Salida Museum
The Salida Museum Association is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that relies on donations, memberships, admissions and limited fundraising to remain operational. You can help support the museum by making a donation or becoming a member.
Donation – any amount appreciated
Annual Membership – $15, includes 5 free visits
Lifetime Membership – $100, includes unlimited free visits
Memberships and donations are tax deductible. Send your payment to the address listed below, use our website to remit with PayPal, or join when you come in to see the museum. You will receive an acknowledgement letter for tax purposes. (make sure we have your address)
Salida Museum Association
406 1/2 W. Hwy 50, Salida, Colorado 81201
salidamuseum@gmail.com
719-539-7483
For more museum information, see our website or Facebook page.
| Note: You’ve been included on the list because you are a member, left your email in our visitor log book or asked to added. We promise we won’t overstuff your inbox, but if you decide you want to unsubscribe you can do so below. |