Earmark to fund museum exhibits

More News Pocatello lawyer appointed to Caribou county seat Offering young video gamers a place to play 4 swimmers dead, 3 missing in N.Y. Mercury found in Boise neighborhood Bombings in western Indian city kill 29 McCain vows to back changes to disabilities law Obama defends tour Gay bias alleged in shooting death Bermuda leader's son faces sex charges Porter murder case affidavit Jazz saxophonist Johnny Griffin dies Beijing makes its own scenery for Olympics Report: Iran now has 6,000 centrifuges New fish hatchery to open Aug. 4 Earmark to fund museum exhibits Commission candidate answers 20 Questions Sports Johnson wins trouble-filled Indy race Carter heads home a national champ Don't blame Drecksel for leaving

WELLSVILLE, Utah (AP) -- A Congressional earmark of nearly $200,000 will fund indoor exhibits explaining the history of Cache Valley at the American West Heritage Center.

The center will install a series of exhibits that will be open to the public throughout the year.

The Cultural History Museum Project is scheduled to open in fall 2009.

The new exhibits will feature life in the valley from the 1820s to the 1920s.

Executive Director Steven DeLong said the funds will allow the center to augment much of the facility's hands-on opportunities.

"It (the building) really has not been fully utilized in my opinion," DeLong said. "We're hoping this will give people an overall historical background of the area."

DeLong said the organization is also seeking input on which valley residents from that century could be highlighted.

Of the $190,000 that comes through the Institute of Museum and Library Services, about 60 percent will go toward the new exhibits.

The remainder of the $190,000 that will go toward continuing other programming at the facility, including education outreach programs, summer camps and internships. The center has requested the money for four years, DeLong said.

Although the entire indoor museum exhibit will cost about $290,000, the Congressional earmark, which came sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-UTah, and other donations now account for nearly $200,000 of that. The center is still seeking private donations to make up for the difference.

The funding will also pay for "driving tours" of the valley, allowing visitors to buy a CD or MP3 file to listen to as they drive through the area.

DeLong said those audio files will better explain historical locations that don't currently have informational markers.

"Without some background, some content, they're not as meaningful," he said

DeLong said he's hopeful the exhibits will help attract visitors during the winter when fewer tourists visit.

"We want people to have the opportunity -- even when we're not manning our outdoor sites -- to have something to do, and to be able to tell our area's story," he said.

The museum will be free, but donations will be accepted.

Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

Reader Comments

Submit a Comment

Commenting Rules

Report a Comment