A Local Treasure

Washington County is rich in pioneer history. The pioneers who settled here are a unique group called to the Cotton Mission. Fortunately, Washington County is also rich in the preservation of their history. There is a local treasure that many overlook, the Pioneer Museum, owned and run by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

This museum was built in 1938 through the generous donation of Hortense McQuarrie Odlum. It became apparent that the treasures left behind by the Pioneers were being thrown away and discarded because descendants did not know what to do with them. The museum was built to save these treasures and preserve the history of the area. The museum houses artifacts and pictures of the pioneers who settled here.

Each artifact in the museum has a story behind it, and there are hundreds of pieces on display. There are laminated cards that you can take with you as you tour the museum to learn the history behind the highlighted artifact. Some of the relics include handmade linens with delicate embroidery, clothing made from silk that was grown from silkworms and spun into silk thread or made from the cotton grown here and beautiful china from all over the world brought by the pioneers. A personal favorite is a mustache cup used by men who had mustaches to keep them clean. Artifacts are from the pioneers’ everyday lives. Irons, ice cream makers, butter churns, shoes, clothes, dentists drill, and even pictures made from hair the pioneers collected from their loved ones are just some of the don’t miss relics.

The pictures of the local settlers adorn the walls. You may even find pictures of your own family. Histories are also available to read after which you can locate the picture of the person you just read about on the wall. These activities help make the pioneers more personal to you. There is also scavenger hunts available especially for children (or adults) to locate certain artifacts listed.

The Pioneer Museum is a wonderful place to take your children and grandchildren to appreciate the rich history of this area. The museum is free to the public, but donations are appreciated. The museum, located at 145 North 100 East in St. George, is open every day, except Wednesday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The museum has a great website dupstgeorge.org with more information.