Museums
The Great Basin National Heritage Area has some wonderful museums, especially the Topaz Museum with displays depicting the WWII Japanese Internment Camp located outside Delta, Utah. The Territorial Statehouse in Fillmore, Utah – the site of the original capital of Utah Territory – also has a museum with displays, photographs, and historical artifacts.
In 1865 Mormon settlers built Fort Deseret for protection during the Blackhawk Indian War. Unable to provide protection due to the Civil War, the US Government urged the settlers to relocate or build a fort; they chose to do the latter. The fort was constructed in 18 days by 98 men and is made of adobe mud and straw. In order to speed construction up, the men turned it into a competition. The winning team would get supper and a dance, while the losing team would provide the meal and entertainment. In the end, they called it a tie, and everyone celebrated. The fort was used to protect the settler’s livestock, and when Blackhawk and his warriors arrived the settlers were able to negotiate peace. Today, there is a historic marker in front of the old fort. It is the only adobe fort remaining of the many that were built by Mormon pioneers in Utah.
Cherry Creek, once the largest town in White Pine county with a population of 6,000, has been the site of gold mining since the 1850s. Built in 1872, the Cherry Creek Schoolhouse is one of the two oldest standing schoolhouses in Nevada. It enrolled 56 students at its peak, and nearly burned down in 1901 when a gas-fueled lantern exploded nearby. In 1941 it was converted into a post office, and in 1994 Walter Campbell turned it into the Cherry Creek Museum. Open by appointment.
Ely started as a boom town in the late 1800s. Throughout most of the 1900s it was subject to boom and bust phenomena, with jobs coming and going as mining activity started and stopped. In 1999, a group of individuals who wanted to celebrate more than just the mines formed the Ely Renaissance Society. Part of their initial activity was to commission public murals and sculptures that now can be seen throughout the town. Take the “Art Walk” through town to see 20 separate pieces of public art, all united by the theme “Where the World Met and Became One.”
From 1851 to 1856, Fillmore was the capital of Utah Territory. The Territorial Statehouse was constructed during that period. It is only the south wing of what was meant to be a much larger building. In December of 1855, the Territorial Legislature met in the only full session ever held in the Statehouse. By 1858, the capital was moved to Salt Lake City, and the Statehouse was not used again. Today, the Territorial Statehouse exists as a museum, showcasing Utah Territory’s history. In addition to the museum, there are pioneer cabins and a stone schoolhouse that have been restored. There is a $2.00 day-use fee.
Learn more about the Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum.
Ely started as a boom town in the late 1800s. Throughout most of the 1900s it was subject to boom and bust phenomena, with jobs coming and going as mining activity started and stopped. In 1999, a group of individuals who wanted to celebrate more than just the mines formed the Ely Renaissance Society. Part of their initial activity was to commission public murals and sculptures that now can be seen throughout the town. Take the “Art Walk” through town to see 20 separate pieces of public art, all united by the theme “Where the World Met and Became One.”
Originally settled by Native Americans, Ely became a boom town in the 1800s due to mining activity. To celebrate this history, as well as to showcase the natural history of the area, a group of Ely residents created the White Pine County Public Museum in 1959. The museum features a wide variety of exhibits, from Native American culture, to natural history, to geology, art, and mining history. Seasonal hours; call ahead or check the website before you go.
The Great Basin Museum in Delta, UT, is home to a wide range of exhibits telling the story of the Great Basin. From some of the oldest mineral specimens on earth, to fossils, to Fremont Indian and early settler artifacts, all the way to more recent pieces of history from the 1900s, this museum is a walk through time. Open Mon-Sat in the summer with more limited hours in the winter. Special tours are available with reservations; no admission charge.
