Friday, December 5, 2008
Artwalk Comes Early
This months Artwalk will be this Saturday from 6-9pm. This is one week earlier than the usual Artwalk time. However it will be a night of fun for everyone as it also lines up with our winter holiday festival here in Moab.
The Museum will be featuring the Artwork from the Plein Aire Competition held by Natural Bridges national park. There are 27 great paintings of both Natural Bridges and other parks in Southeastern Utah.
The Moab Artwalk will not start up again until March of Next year.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Museum prepares for renovation
First the Museum will be updating it's history room by removing some displays and fleshing out a time line from the 1950's to the present era.
Secondly the museum is rehousing and storing many of it's artifacts to increase the efficiency of it's storage units will looking to expand it's external storage.
Finally the museum is moving ahead on its photo digitization initiative by scanning photos from the Fran Barnes collection into our computer database.
Overall the next few months at the Museum look pretty busy for everyone.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Hand Carved Map
Monday, September 22, 2008
Jim Tharp named to Western Museum Association Board
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Museum Exhibit Features Matheson Preserve
The Museum's Fall Artwalk focuses on the wildlife and the growth of the Matheson Preserve. Watercolor images and photographs highlight the beautiful and diverse animal life that inhabit the ever fluctuating wetland along the Colorado River. A short film called Birds of the Preserve is also showing during the exhibit as well
Allen Memorial Hostpital Long Term Care Resident Visit the Museum
The Long Term Care Residents of Allen Memorial Hospital visited the museum on Thursday September 4th. They enjoyed viewing the museums exhibits and were treated special musical performance by Director Travis Schenck. A few of the residents told stories about when they were young and the pictures of people they remembered.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Institute of Museum and Library Services Awards Museum grant
The Institute of Musem and Library Services has awarded the Museum with a grant for a collection of books, DVDs, charts, online resources, and other materials as part of the Conneting to Collections Bookshelf. These materials will help improve the museums collection management as well as providing resources that can be shared with other groups in the Moab area.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Pioneer Day Ice Cream Social
July 24th
The Museum held it's annual Pioneer Day Ice Cream Social. Visitors enjoyed vanilla and chocolate ice cream, and rainbow sherbet. Ashley and Andrew Aedo of Provo demonstrated wool spinning and sandal making respectively. Guests also enjoyed music provided by a pickup band of musicians from the farmers market.
Approximately one hundred people participated in the social this year consuming five gallons of ice cream and sherbet.
The Band Playing
Weaving Sandals
Spinning Wool
Monday, July 21, 2008
Utah Arts Council Exhibits
February Exhibit
Navajo Children: Weaving the Future
Hand made rugs and blankets have always been an important part of Native American culture and economy. Weaving techniques and patterns have traditionally been passed down from mothers and grandmothers to daughters.
Modern lifestyles have threatened this art form. Tourism, and economic development from Adopt an Elder Program have given this art form renewed interest. Adopt an Elder Program sponsors rug sales directly from the weavers who get one hundred percent of the profits. Young and talented Navajo children living in the Navajo Nation did all the rugs and blankets in this exhibit. The collection is on loan from Adopt an Elder Program. For further information or to get involved in the program or rug sales contact Lynda Meyer, director, (435)-649-0535.
March Exhibit
World of the Wild
The World of the Wild, sponsored by Utah's Hogle Zoo, is the annual art show featuring artworks of animals and the wild. The goal of this exhibition is to bring together the works of serious artists who are interested in displaying their view of wild animals, plants and places with which we share our world.
The art of depicting animals is an ancient one. Prehistoric men depicted animals on cave walls in an attempt to gain power over their hunt. These paintings can still be seen in Lascaux, France; Altamira, Spain; Africa and Australia. Fremont and Anasazi Indians of Utah also drew animal images as a form of spiritual empowerment. The ancient Egyptians drew and modeled animals with great care based upon the observation of nature. Today, art classes are often seen at the Zoo painting and drawing from life.
Wildlife artists such as James Audubon have been instrumental in raising public awareness of endangered species. It is hoped that by focusing more attention on the wilder side of nature that the public will gain a greater awareness and appreciation for wildlife.
Museum Recieves State Funding
Monday, June 30, 2008
Up and Running
Monday, June 16, 2008
Museum Hosts 4H History Club
This Summer the Museum of Moab will be hosting a 4H history club. Through a series of actives and crafts the children attending will learn about Moab's history in context with the rest of the world.
This club is part of the museum's efforts to reach out to the community and provide a place for people to learn and appreciate their history and heritage.
The History Club Meets Wednesdays from 5-6 in the museum.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
June Art Walk
Monday, June 9, 2008
Museum applies for Accreditation
The Program will analyze the Museums programs and practices to see if they compare to a Accreditable Museum. In 2006 the Museum went through the AAM's Museum Assessment Program(MAP) where they received the recommendation to pursue accreditation.
Accreditation will allow the museum to work with other institutions to provide better programs and exhibits. Additionally accredited institutions may apply to become holding facilities for artifacts and memorabilia found on federal land.
With Accreditation the Museum hopes to improve across the board allowing it to better connect with the People of Moab.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Today we honor them
Today is Memorial day a day to honor those who have served our country. Moab has had many who have served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, and the Marines.
This memorial day the Museum of Moab honors the Sons and Daughter of Moab who have served in the Armed forces. Their legacy is remembered for their duty to this country. We are grateful for their sacrifices.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Photo Archives
Soon the Museum Photographic Archive will be readily searchable via internet or using the museums guest research station. Currently there are nearly 1000 images available for search. As other collections are digitized and categorized they will become available for researching.
This will allow quick and easy research via the internet for both professionals and common researchers.
Monday, May 12, 2008
American Association of Museums: Denver Annual Meeting
Director Travis Schenck and Board Member Jim Tharp attended this year’s annual meeting of the American Association of Museums held in Denver, Colorado, April 27th through May 1st. The five day conference covered numerous topics about museums. From classes on quantifying fun to lectures on improving museum attendance the conference ran the gamut of topics.
Travis and Jim visited several Denver museums. Including the Denver Museum of Natural History, the Denver Children’s Museum, the Four Mile Historic Park, and the Museo de Las Americas. Many of these visits involved technical workshops on how these museums have developed new programs to reach out to their communities.
This is the first year that a member of the museum staff has been able to attend the conference. Denver, being nearby provided an excellent opportunity for the museum to attend.
The American Association of Museums (AAM) is a national organization that seeks to improve museums by providing both a voice for the museum community in politics and resources to improve museums. Their annual conferences seek to put various museum professional in touch to exchange ideas and resources.
Travis really enjoyed the conference and is looking forward to adapting and implementing some of the ideas he picked up.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Post Cards 1900-1950
Charlie Steen
Monday, May 5, 2008
Museum Gets Ready for Quilt Show
May through June you'll be able to view the work of the Delicate Stitchers Quilt show. Their theme this year is "Post Cards of Home." Each quilt is based on a post card of Moab.
Quilts have been produced in Moab for over 100 years. They provided both a warm necessity for cold desert nights and a outlet for Artistic Expression.
The Exhibit will be on display
May 10th through the end of June.
Monday, April 28, 2008
The Dewey Bridge
The Dewey Bridge
Built in 1916 the Dewey Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in Utah. Located approximately 30 miles northwest of Moab the 500 foot span at the time of it's construction was the second longest span west of the Mississippi river.
The bridge served as the only crossing of the Colorado River for route 128 until 1988 when a new bridge was built. In 2000 the Dewey Bridge was refurbished by the Grand County Historical Preservation Commission and became part of the Kokopelli bike trail. The bridge was designated a historic structure by the National Register of Historic Places in 1984
April 6th 2008 a brush fire ignited the aging timbers of the quickly burning the whitewashed deck. Within hours all that was left of the historical structure were the support towers and cables.
The construction on the Dewey Bridge was begun in November 1915 when two Grand County Commissioners, Birten Allred and G.A. Harris Spearheaded the effort to have a bridge built to serve the upper sector of the county. The Ferry which was being used at the time, was dangerous, unreliable and prone to vanish down river during periods of high water.
The contract for the bridge was awarded to the Midland Bridge Company of Kansas City, Missouri, and was completed in five months. The official dedication ceremony took place on April 15th, 1916.
The narrow wooden structure was supported by steel towers which held in place the titanium alloy cables that attached to the deck. The structure had a tendency to sway lightly in the river winds. The deck was a little higher in the middle so a car driving across would have to be careful as drivers from the other side could not see oncoming traffic. Many drivers found themselves partway across the bridge only to have to reverse back down the bridge to let another driver across.
The eight foot wide bridge continued to serve citizens for 72 years until it was closed to traffic. With no money to demolish the structure and so it remained abandoned until 1997. County administrator Earl Sires that year applied to the State trails and Parks for a $25,000 grant. The grant required the county raise matching funds bringing the total to $50,000. The county though did not have the funds in it's budget to match the grant. It was the kindness of James L. Stoltzfus that provide over twelve thousand dollars towards the county match. He challenged the Grand County Historical Preservation Commission to raise the remaining funds. By 1999 the funds had been raised an repairs on the bridge began.
By 2000 the refurbishment was done the bridge stood clean and white against the red rocks and the blue sky.
The tragedy that had its roots some seventy years earlier with the introduction of the tamarisk plant. An ornamental imported to the United States from the Mediterranean the tamarisk spread up the rivers cloaking the banks of the Colorado and other western rivers. An aggressive plant the tamarisk quickly overtook native species and became a dominate force on the river.
Around the Dewey Bridge tamarisk grew quite thickly. Periodically Boy Scout troups, church youth Groups, and other civic clubs would clear the brush away from the bridge. However for several years this had not been done.
Recent activities to tame the tamarisk population had resulted in numerous dead plants throughout the river area. Systematic removal had began along the river but the plants surrounding the Dewey Bridge had not been removed. When a fire at a near by campsite got out of control the river winds carried the flames up river towards the bridge. The dead foliage ignited quickly and drew the flame onto the bridge where the creosote covered wood ignited.
By the time crews arrived to fight the blaze the bridge was beyond saving. All that remained were the few charred boards and the metal support structure.
The tragedy of the Dewey Bridge's destruction deeply grieves the people of Moab and Grand County. The ghostly skeleton reminds us of how fragile the past can be and why we must endeavor to protect and preserve our history.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The Museum that Moab Made.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Charlie Glass an African American Cowboy
Third from the left in this picture is Charlie Glass. Charlie was a long time resident of Moab. A ranch owner and a business man Charlie was a rarety in the west and especially Utah.
Often Utah is viewed as a very homogenous state being mostly of European descent but during the early part of the 20th century Moab had a sizable population of African Americans. Many of them came to work in the mines hauling ore out for further refining. Others like Charlie came to escape a savage life and memories from farther east.
Charlie's father had been considered an outlaw in Oaklahoma and eventually was caught. In a time when transporting prisoners was a difficult process the bounty hunters opted to kill Charlie's father and bring his head into to trial in northern Oaklahoma.
Charlie later related that his drinking habit was inspired by these events.
In a time when America was segregated Charlie stratled the line between white and black social groups. He had many friends among the white citizens of the Moab area. Yet he also loved to visit his own people who worked hard in the mines. The picture above is a rare picture of Charlie without his hat on.
Charlie was wounded in a violent skirmish with a group of Basque shephards in response to his shooting of one of their countrymen. Though Charlie survied the fight he passed away in transit to the hospital.
Charlie Glass represents a facsinating part of Moabs history. For more information on Charlie visit the museum an check out the Canyon Legacy.