MPHC News

Fort Carson breaks ground on new museum

Monday, May 03, 2010

FORT CARSON, COLO. -- Fort Carson officials broke ground on a new museum Thursday.

The groundbreaking marks Phase I of a three-phase project intended to bring history to the Mountain Post.

The idea for the historical center began in 1999 when members of the community organized the Mountain Post Historical Association.

Phase I of the project began with a groundbreaking of a temporary artifact display facility. Phase II is a much larger and a permanent historical facility and Phase III is a community effort to enhance that facility.

"Today is a significant day. It's a milestone in our efforts to make this a reality," said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ed Soriano, who is the president and chairman of the Mountain Post Historical Association.

And with a scoop of dirt, a long-standing dream is coming true.

"A facility that we want to build on behalf of the community and build for Fort Carson. A historical center that will talk about the 68-year history of Fort Carson and its relationship with the community, and to recognize the thousands of soldiers who have come and gone in this installation serving our country and our nation," said Soriano.

The museum will be filled with artifacts ranging from the World War I time period to present day.

"In fact, we have a few of the items that were captured with Saddam when he was captured during Operation Red Dawn. The 4th I.D. First Brigade was involved with that. So we have several items including the money box that was with him," said Steve Ruhnke, curator for the Fort Carson 4th I.D. Museum.

The Mountain Post Historical Association says the museum is a way to honor the men and women who serve our country every day.

"It truly is a way to recognize the contributions and the sacrifices that the great men and women have made to our nation," said Soriano.

And for Purple Heart recipient, Latoya Lucas, it means a lot.

"Not only would this project tell my story and what service members, especially soldiers from this post been through, but it will promote patriotism in our youth,” said Lucas.

Terry Sullivan, president and CEO of Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, says the museum would also serve as a tourist attraction and estimates that it would receive 75,000 visitors each year.

"Ultimately it will become the icon of the Mountain Post and I would hope that it would be used by all of the soldiers stationed here and people who visit the Mountain Post,” said Sullivan.

But the real purpose of the museum is to ensure that we never forget.

"There is probably no thing that worries a soldier more than people not recognizing what they've done and forgetting the sacrifice they've made," said Denny Cripps, campaign director for the Mountain Post Historical Center.

But the Mountain Post Historical Center does need help.

“We certainly need support. In any way possible whether it’s financial, volunteer, you name it. Whatever support we can generate to make this a reality. We’re well on our way to making it a reality but certainly support from the community is needed,” said Soriano.

If all goes according to plan the project will be completed in 2013.

Phase Renderings

  • Rendering Phase I
  • Rendering Phase II
  • Rendering Phase III

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    Mountain Post Historical Association, Inc., Artifact Exhibit at Colorado Springs Airport

    Monday, May 03, 2010

    The Mountain Post Historical Association, Inc (MPHA) is a community based 501©(3) established to raise funds to build the Mountain Post Historical Center (MPHC).

    The MPHA is committed to bringing a unique landmark to Fort Carson and surrounding communities. The Mountain Post Historical Center (MPHC) will be located just outside Fort Carson’s main gate on Colorado Highway 115 across the street from the Cheyenne Mountain State Park. It will preserve the history from 1942 – when the Mountain Post was founded in response to World War II – to the present day and beyond. The MPHC will be an educational venue for newly assigned Soldiers, family members, other veteran and civilian visitors, a focal point for reunions, a location to promote educational programs, and a gathering place for the Post, veterans’ organization, youth and civic groups. It will be a place of Honor and the legacy for all those who have and will serve.

    Airport Exhibit Photos

    The funding for this project, which is currently underway, will be a combination of federal, state, private, corporate donations and sponsorships. The project is in Phase 1 of a 3-phase project.

    The artifacts on display are provided courtesy of the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson.

    Click here to learn more about how you can help/become involved or call 719-633-2867

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    Construction of Mountain Post Historical Center to start during 2011

    Tuesday, January 19, 2010

    How we can make amends
    by Lon Matejczyk

    The Army plans to start construction on its museum during 2011.

    I have a way the politicos in Denver can make amends for Gov. Bill Ritter’s signing of House Bill 1317, which prohibits state agencies from selling or leasing land for the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site expansion, an act that sends the message that Colorado does not support the Army.

    They can show support for the Mountain Post Historical Museum.

    The governor and all the state’s senators and representatives need to band together and issue an enthusiastic, pro-museum proclamation with all the trumpeting and posturing they can muster.

    Fort Carson is the only division headquarters in the United States without a museum.

    Groundbreaking on a 5,000-square-foot, $750,000 home for Fort Carson memorabilia will be during the first quarter 2010.

    All elected officials from Denver should come to Colorado Springs with flags flying in support of the Army, the state’s second largest employer.

    It would be a good message to send to the Pentagon.

    The idea for the museum has been bubbling for a decade and is the brainchild of retired Army Lt. Gen. Ed Soriano, the chairman and president of the Mountain Post Historical Association.

    Soriano’s connections at the Pentagon and throughout the Army have gotten the project $9.2 million from the Army’s 2011 budget. The rest of the estimated $18 million cost will come from local fundraising.

    Soriano envisions a museum with a community education component that will tell the story of the Army, and particularly the history of Fort Carson, to the area’s schoolchildren.

    Ah, I can see the long line of yellow school buses lining up now.

    Others, too, have visions.

    Terry Sullivan, CEO of Experience Pikes Peak at Colorado Springs, sees a long line of tourists lining up.

    He also foresees the addition of 40 local jobs, a tourism boost of an estimated 167,000 annual visitors with 75 percent from out of town and an increase in military reunions.

    “Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will start holding reunions and the opening ceremonies for the reunions can be held at the Museum,” Sullivan said.

    Sullivan also sees a tourism program called the triangle of honor: Sightseers start at the museum, travel to Canon City to see vintage military memorabilia, then go to Pueblo to see the exhibit on the four Medal of Honor winners. The completion of the triangle is the trip back to the Springs to put heads on pillows.

    Let’s send a message to the Army. Let’s have residents lead a state effort in raising the money necessary for the project, let’s get a full slate of politicians and other leaders behind this effort, let’s make the Mountain Post Historical Museum the kind of attraction that not only benefits the business community, but also shows that local people have the spirit state big shots too often lack.

    Lon Matejczyk is publisher of the Colorado Springs Business Journal. He can be reached at Lon.Matejczyk@csbj.com or 329-5202.

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    Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado $25,000 Challenge

    Monday, January 04, 2010

    Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado $25,000 challenge grant matches funds raised through February 24, 2010

    The challenge grant awarded to the Mountain Post Historical Center Association by the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado will help to build the Mountain Post Historical Center (MPHC).

    Money raised will help operations, stimulate donor base

    The $25,000 challenge grant will be used to raise operating support funds. It will also act as a catalyst by adding to the Mountain Post Historical Center’s base of contributors so vitally needed to build the state of the art facility.

    About the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado

    The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado was founded in 1996 as a project of the Gill Foundation with a goal of supporting nonprofit organizations that enhance quality of life throughout the state and promoting equality for all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender expression.

    The MPCHA Executive Team said in a joint statement: “This is a great opportunity to enhance our fundraising efforts, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado has an admirable track record of supporting our Soldiers”.

    Dollar for Dollar match goes away next February

    The MPHCA has until February 24, 2010 to match the grant. Two options qualify your donation for the dollar for dollar match:

    • Gifts from first-time donors
      Donors who increase their gifts to the MPHC

    Whether you are thinking of donating for the very first time to help make the MPHC a reality, or considering an additional donation, this is a perfect time to do it as your dollars will go twice as far.

    For more information about participating in this matching grant opportunity, contact Becky Bayer- Hughes, Executive Director at (719) 633-2867 or go to www.MountainPostHistoricalCenter.org

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    The Mountain Post Historical Center will be a tribute to the commitment and sacrifices of Soldiers who have served at or deployed from Colorado... It underscores American values and the strength of our nation. It will be a symbol of Colorado’s support to our men and women in uniform.

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