Past comes to life at Heritage Center
Put on a worn apron or a pair of overalls and step through the door of history to a place where it has been preserved for countless years, right here in Cache Valley.
This place is the American West Heritage Center located on Highway 89-91 in Wellsville.
David Sidwell, program director at American West Heritage Center, said the farm began in the 1960s with only one building located on the farm. Later it became the Jensen Historical Living farm.
Eventually in the 1990s, Sidwell said the famous Festival of the American West, that originally was featured at Utah State, moved to this site.
The farm is a nonprofit organization composed of numerous sites and attractions for visitors to see. Some of these attractions include the pioneer site, where visitors can make candles, card wool, play old-fashioned pioneer games, pull a handcart and sample authentic food.
Another attraction to visit is the farm site where there are rustic barns, vintage farm machinery, a blacksmith shop, livestock and an outdoor kitchen where visitors can experience washing clothes on a washboard.
Other seasonal events include Baby Animal Day, a corn maze, Haunted Hollow, Victorian Christmas Feast, Fiber Arts Week, summer camps and the Pioneer Olympics. Sidwell said the goal of the center is to bring the history of Cache Valley to life.
“Our goal and our mission is to celebrate and preserve the heritage of our area, and so we do it through these various activities,” he said.
USU has many students and interns that participate in the farm. Sidwell said a few of the areas they help with are working on history and research, making exhibits and said many volunteer their time throughout the summer as well.
Nelda Ault, the farm’s education coordinator, said the center loves those who volunteer and intern.
“Send us interns, and we can always use volunteers. It’s a good place to visit,” Ault said.
In addition to the great experience these students have, she said they also in some cases can receive credit toward their major.
–delayne.locke@aggiemail.usu.edu