As a part of the Western Museum of Mining and Industry’s monthly lecture series, Leah Davis Witherow — curator of history at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum — will be presenting “Evidence: Finding the Facts About General William Jackson Palmer.”

Witherow’s presentation will delve into the life and impact of General William Jackson Palmer’s upon the Pikes peak region. As a Quaker, Union Army general, civil engineer and philanthropist, Palmer’s story provides a unique lens to view American history.

Witherow will be sharing her in-depth research on Palmer’s progressive education in Philadelphia, Palmer’s idealism and capitalist ideology, his environmentalist and conservationist efforts and his Civil War experience.

“You can glean a lot of American history by studying the life of William Jackson Palmer,” Witherow said. “There are so many different topics that you can focus on related to General Palmer, just by studying his life.”

Witherow began researching Palmer’s life at the University of Colorado Springs for her master’s thesis on why Palmer joined the war as a Quaker.

“He entered Civil War service and in fact encouraged other Quakers and other young Pennsylvania men to enter Civil War service to fight for the Union, to eradicate slavery,” Witherow said.

In 2014 Witherow was selected as the UCCS College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Outstanding Lecturer of the Year, and in 2018 was selected as a “Woman of Influence” by the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

The WMMI then asked Witherow to share her knowledge and research with the public as a part of their lecture series.

“It’s a tremendous privilege and honor to be able to help tell a community story, so I do not take this role lightly. I think it’s really important to get it right, to study the facts, to approach these stories unbiased.”

Palmer was renowned for perpetuating his Quaker faith into the Union, advocating for the eradication of slavery. After the war, Palmer moved West and became a civil engineer and philanthropist, which played an integral part in Colorado’s development.

As the founder and owner of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, Palmer helped stimulate economic growth as well as the expansion of transportation in the American West during the late nineteenth century, according to the Colorado Encyclopedia.

“He was born in 1836 as the Industrial Revolution was underway. He served in the Civil War, so we can learn about the Civil War. He came West after the Civil War, so we can talk about that period of American history as well.”

Palmer is also well known for his philanthropy, which included the founding of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and other institutions for the public benefit.

“In the latter part of his life, he really becomes a philanthropist. He was enamored with Colorado scenery, he loved the outdoors and believed that everyone needs access to parks for their mental, physical, and spiritual health,” Witherow said.

“He donated over 2,000 acres of parkland during his lifetime alone to found our foundational parks in Colorado Springs, and brought in park designers to make these parks beautiful and accessible.”

The presentation will also address common myths about Palmer, such as the belief that he came from a wealthy background or that he banned alcohol in Colorado Springs for moral reasons. Witherow emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the myths and examining the evidence to gain a deeper understanding of Palmer’s motivations and contributions.

“We tell the truth, we strive to tell complicated stories. This is important today, in the 21st century, we are contextualizers,” Witherow said. “We use history to help people understand the present. How do we get to where we are today? Why do things look the way they do? How do these systems get built?”

Witherow’s presentation is part of her ongoing efforts to share the history of the Pikes Peak region with the community. She has been researching and writing about Palmer for over 30 years and has a deep understanding of his life and legacy.

“Evidence: Finding the Facts About General William Jackson Palmer” will be on March 12 at 4 p.m. The lecture is open to the public and will be at WMMI’s lecture hall.

Admission to the WMMI is free to museum members and $5 per person for the general public. More information about the monthly lecture series and reservations can be found at https://wmmi.org/education/lecture-series.html, or by calling 719-488-0880.

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum curator Leah Davis Witherow addresses a crowd in this Tribune file photo. Witherow will be presenting “Evidence: Finding the Facts About General William Jackson Palmer” on March 12 at 4 p.m. at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry.

Christian Murdock, The tribune

The Western Museum of Mining and Industry has loads of interesting machines and exhibits representing the history of mining. That includes the 1895 Corliss Steam Engine shown here.

Courtesy of Western Museum of Mining and Industry.

A portrait of Gen. William Jackson Palmer. The Western Museum of Mining and Industry will be hosting a lecture about Palmer on March 12.

Courtesy of Special Collections,

Tutt Library, Colorado College