Hunting in Colorado Springs

Where:

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
215 S Tejon St
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
USA

Cost:

$5 Suggested Donation

“If I can do one hundredth part for the Indian that Mrs. Stowe did for the Negro, I will be thankful.” Thus Helen Hunt Jackson expressed social ambition for her novel, Ramona, comparing its desired effects to those of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Over the years, we have critiqued Ramona’s and Jackson’s achievements, partly from later discomfort with romantic stereotypes that Ramona and Uncle Tom had in common. Now, in social-historical context, Jackson’s sincerity, Ramona’s appeal, and the contributions of both can inspire again.

Katherine Scott Sturdevant, Professor of History at Pikes Peak Community College, teaches about Helen Hunt Jackson in U.S., American Indian, Colorado, women’s, West, and Southwest history. She works frequently with the Pioneers Museum and Pikes Peak Library District as a speaker, consultant, writer, and editor. As a native Californian and Colorado historian, her understanding of Helen Hunt Jackson runs deep. She was a 3X Helen Hunt Jackson Fellow from Colorado College Southwest Studies; honored Jackson with a 2007 presentation and 2009 article for the PPLD symposium/book Extraordinary Women of the Rocky Mountain West; and, in 2013, represented Colorado as a guest lecturer at the 90th anniversary of the Ramona Pageant in Hemet, California.