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.

• Ground Breaking Ceremony 
• Click here to view the Ground Breaking Video

Phase Renderings

Rendering Phase I

Rendering Phase II

Rendering Phase III

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