Uintah County (Uintah County Western Heritage Museum)

Purpose: Sustaining Cultural Heritage The Uintah County Western Heritage Museum began in 1989 as a small, local heritage museum whose purpose was to collect and display Freemont and Ute Indian artifacts, along with local "family-oriented" historical items. But considering all the excitement and romance of the real Wild West that took place in the Uinta Basin, the museum needs to tell a larger, more comprehensive historical story. The museum has undertaken the relocation and expansion of its physical facility, as well as the creation of innovative, interactive, historically based exhibits to tell the story of an area rich in history, from the prehistoric native peoples to Butch Cassidy, Father Escalante, Wesley Powell, Chief Ouray, and others. The board and staff envision an improved museum that provides an engaging, dynamic visitor experience to encourage increased use by both local residents and tourists. This grant will help fund the schematic design phase for the recreated museum. The consultant hired by the museum will select and work with an architect to develop the basic building concept, develop an outline for the exhibit story, create media budgets, and design exhibit floor plans. The new museum will attract a greater audience through its state-of-the-art technology and the inclusiveness and excitement of the story it tells.