Just SCAHS Blog!

One Woman's View

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 23:05:46 GMT

“Whatever happened to The American Dream?”

Hearing so much about economic worries on news programs and from friends, my heart aches for those who must suffer, some having to choose whether to buy food or get their medicines. Also, I worry about the young people who trained for careers and are now unable to find jobs. I worry for those who are unemployed, having to ask parents, “Can I (or we if they have a family) move back home?” I worry for parents who may feel they have to say yes, then having to adjust to an enlarged household. I worry for those who have no family willing or able to take them in. We all wonder, “Whatever happened to the American Dream?”

One of the oral history projects my RHS high school students did was centered on The Great Depression. It was funded by a grant proposal I submitted. The Richfield Reaper published a twelve-page special edition newspaper on March 25, 1998, titled Sevier County Remembers the Great Depression. The paper was created by RHS students, a tribute to the abilities and dedication of my sixteen-year-old pupils, as I guided them through the process.

They learned so much from doing interviews with those who had lived the Great Depression. Transcribing their interviews gave the students time to reflect on what they had learned. The interviewees were glad to have their recollections made permanent and pleased to share how to survive hard times with the young people who interviewed them.

When times of plenty shape human lives, it is often hard to think what times of want might mean. And perhaps the more difficult personal questions are what would I do and how could I survive; and perhaps the most difficult query is “Could I remain honest and noble and kind through economic difficulty?”

Hopefully, the stories of people who lived through the Great Depression, which began in 1929 with the momentous stock market crash, will give guidance. I share excerpts from a few of the twenty-three interviews done as part of this oral history project. In a previous column, I discussed experiences of Verla Breinholt, Luzon Peterson, Tom Abbot, and Angie Wight.

Here, we share some of their reflections and experiences

and preserve their stories for future generations.

Click on the icon to read or listen.

Some stories to pique your curiosity

Jay Spencer survived the depression by his ability to hustle and invent things to make extra money. One activity was going to Koosharem Reservoir in the winter to cut ice and load the blocks on a horse-drawn wagon. What ice they didn’t need for their family, he would sell to others. With sawdust around the ice blocks in a lean-to next to their granary, the ice lasted till summer. Jay also made a grain grinding machine and put it on the back of an old Star 4-cylinder car, running a belt down through the floorboards and around the drive shaft and making other connections. He and his helpers would drive around and grind farmers’ grains. Jay also built a motorized wood saw on a Model T Ford. He and his helpers charged $6 dollars a cord to saw their large logs. Jay commented, ”Six dollars was big pay!”

Joe Gentry was 12 years old in 1929. He said, “Up until 1935, it was pretty tough growing up.” He qualifies that comment with, “Like someone said, we were broke but we weren’t poor.” After graduating high school in 1935, he went to Brigham Young University (tuition for the whole year was $86.50) and lived on a tight budget. Joe was still riding his bicycle in his nineties, and I believe that he lived to about one hundred so he was really a survivor.

Clara Jensen

remembers her friends’ parents who had no employment whatsoever. One family moved to California thinking it would be better out there, but they soon returned to Utah as at least they had a home and a garden there.

Revo Young said her family lived on a farm and initially the depression didn’t affect them too badly, but then in 1933, a drought came in Utah. Revo became the sole support of the large family as her mother was a widow. Revo had a teaching job. She didn’t marry during this time because her contract stated that if she married and had a husband, she would lose her job.

A closing thought:

Don’t spend your days feeling sorry for yourself in these tough economic times,

Be inspired and innovate like these interviewees did.

Judy Busk taught English at Richfield High School. This oral history collection was developed from a student project that she and Elaine Street assigned to their English and Honors students as part of their coursework. She is also the author of this article.

Judy Busk

These are just a few of the experiences recorded. Learn more by visiting SCAHS.

If you would like access to the oral recording of an interview and its transcription to learn more, here’s how.

Go to https://www.seviercountyhistoryhub.org/
Tap on 'Explore the Archive'
Then Browse 'Collections'
Click on the ' Judy Busk and Elaine Street Oral History Collection '

Listen, read, and view the stories.

This article was published in the Richfield Reaper, November 4, 2026.

You can also browse by person's name, topics like the Great Depression . We hope you enjoy exploring the archive!

Visit Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services in person in the basement of the Sevier County Administration Building, Room B40, Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm, or schedule an appointment . New items are added weekly; digitizing is a work in progress, so check back often or submit a request! Volunteers welcome.

Your local Richfield Library has transcriptions of these interviews housed in binders, alphabetized by last name. You can sit at a comfortable table and read memories of a person or persons of your choice. Through reading, you will be transported back to the years of the Great Depression through vivid recollections that reveal not only events but emotions.

2026, A Year of Gathering, Preserving, and Sharing Sevier County History!

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:10:07 GMT

What a Year it's been at the Sevier County History Hub

Every photograph, newspaper, scrapbook, and historical document has a story to tell. This year, we’ve continued gathering, organizing, digitizing, and preserving records while making more collections available for public discovery.

2026 Preservation Highlights:

735 historical records acquired

605 records processed and organized

255 records digitized

532 records published online

15 new collections were added online

Preserving History, One Record at a Time

What a yea r it’s been at the Sevier County History Hub! From preserving historical photographs and documents to recording community stories and connecting people with local history, 2026 has been a year of growth, collaboration, and discovery.

Thanks to our dedicated staff, historians, volunteers, and community partners, Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services (SCAHS) continues to build a lasting historical resource for current and future generations. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished together!

Collections Spotlight

Mary Thurman Collection
Among this year’s exciting acquisitions is a collection of memorabilia featuring Mary Thurman, a silent film actress who lived in Richfield and is buried in the Richfield Cemetery. The collection includes glass plate negatives, photographs, early 1900s magazines and newspapers, video, and research provided by a descendant.

Kimberly, Utah Collection

Another remarkable addition is a collection documenting the Kimberly Mine and the historic community of Kimberly, Utah, donated by Doreen Anderson of Enumclaw, Washington, daughter of Dean Herring. Born and raised in Elsinore, Dean Herring authored From Lode to Dust: The Birth and Death of Kimberly, Utah. This research collection includes historical maps, photographs, mining records, and early Kimberly School photographs and documents, offering a fascinating glimpse into this once-thriving mining community now a ghost town.

These collections are just a few examples of the historical treasures entrusted to SCAHS. As we preserve, process, and share these materials online, we continue making Sevier County’s history accessible to families, researchers, and history enthusiasts everywhere.

The collections take some time to process; we look forward to sharing them online. Join our Newsletter email list or follow our Facebook page to stay informed.

Stronger Together: Community Partnerships

History preservation takes teamwork! SCAHS works with local historians, museums, libraries, schools, businesses, and heritage organizations to strengthen preservation efforts throughout the county. From archival guidance and digitization assistance to helping organizations share and promote their collections, we’re connecting local history with the people who value it.

Community Impact:

15 historians engaged

8 museums and heritage organizations supported

9 community partnerships

12 organizations receiving preservation assistance or training

Partnership Spotlight

Paisley worked with us to create a website contest entry portal, presented information at all the middle schools in the county and encouraged local business to offer prizes including free bowling game at Jorgensen Bowling Lanes to all 18 participants. Paisley was the region’s overall Social Science Sterling Scholar winner and received full-tuition scholarships to several colleges and universities throughout the state and $2,500 cash.

Paisley Hallows attended one of SCAHS oral history training courses provided by Utah Historical Society (UHS) at the invite of her of North Sevier High School history teacher, Rod Hurd. Paisley was inspired to work with SCAHS in creating an online Virtual History Fair as her NSHS Social Science Sterling Scholar project. Paisley encouraged middle school students to create a two-minute video on the history and stories of Sevier County.

The People Behind the Preservation

Our volunteers are an essential part of the History Hub! They organize collections, digitize photographs, transcribe documents, research local history, help capture community stories, and share them with others.

Volunteer Highlights:

45 active volunteers

371 volunteer service hours

10 training and hands-on learning opportunities

That’s 371 hours of community service dedicated to preserving our shared heritage!

Volunteer Spotlight: Putting Skills to Work

Our dedicated LDS service missionaries contribute their time and talents to a variety of archival projects. One volunteer, Elder Ian Shaw, took on a unique engineering challenge: designing and building a photographic vacuum table to safely hold large maps, photographs, and newspapers flat for digitization. Working within a budget, he researched materials, developed a design, and put his skills to work on a practical project that will benefit our archives efficiency while strengthening his résumé for a potential engineering degree. It’s a great example of how volunteering can benefit both our organization and those who serve!

We’re also investing in the future through two paid positions, one internship, and professional development opportunities, including archival conferences and specialized training that we were awarded grant funding. These experiences help develop valuable skills, strengthen professional expertise, and build a sustainable future for archival preservation in rural Utah.

Bringing History to Life

History isn’t just stored in boxes or displayed in museums. It’s found in our communities, celebrations, family stories, and everyday experiences. This year, SCAHS connected people with local heritage through oral histories, educational presentations, community events and exhibits, and online resources.

Outreach Highlights:

9 oral histories recorded

5 community events and presentations

32 heritage resources published

3 educational and outreach initiatives

Sevier Speaks

This year, SCAHS has been busy processing and publishing oral histories on our YouTube channel, bringing local voices and fascinating history to life. Explore 53 community memories collected during the Sevier County 160th anniversary celebrations, along with 9 featured oral histories covering everything from the remarkable 102-year life of LuJean Ogden and the mysteries of Monroe Canyon to the origins of the Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree, local artists, and North Sevier history. There’s something for everyone, and you might even recognize a familiar face!

Watch, discover, and subscribe! Visit our Sevier County History Hub YouTube channel to explore the Sevier Speaks playlist and enjoy the stories that make our communities unique.

Solving Mysteries and Building Partnerships

Who knew that old high school yearbooks could help solve a decades-old mystery? In March, SCAHS was contacted by Kimball Clark of Kindex, whose team was investigating the 1986 California cold case of the Wilseyville Jane Doe , a young woman believed to have been murdered by serial killers. Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) had revealed possible family connections to Utah’s Sevier Valley, leading investigators to search Richfield and South Sevier High School yearbooks for clues about her identity. SCAHS helped locate, digitize, and share yearbooks, including a South Sevier yearbooks provided by our History Hub partner, the Monroe FamilySearch Center. These records became valuable resources in the investigation that has made promising progress toward identifying the victim.

This collaboration also opened the door to an exciting partnership with Kindex, which has donated more than 8,500 scanned pages of Sevier County records made available through the investigation. Our new Sevier County History Hub Kindex website https://sevier.kindex.org allows the public to explore these and other historical collections, transcribe documents, and help make records searchable through Google and other search engines.

With free volunteer transcription, a friendly community leaderboard, and optional AI-assisted paid transcription followed by personal review, Kindex makes preserving history more accessible and engaging. The partnership also creates opportunities for internships, workforce development, and future collaboration with local heritage organizations, including Miss Mary’s Museum, whose collections will reach a broader audience and promote heritage tourism.

What began as a search for clues in old yearbooks has grown into a partnership that helps uncover forgotten stories, connect communities, and make Sevier County’s history more discoverable than ever!

Rescue Your Heritage Event ~ North Sevier

This three-day community event brought together Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services (SCAHS), the Salina Stake FamilySearch Center, Kindex, and Glyph Forge to help North Sevier residents preserve their family histories through free professional digitization services. Working across five scanning stations, volunteers and professionals dedicated approximately 80–100 combined hours to digitizing 113 sets of historical records, generating 41 GB of scanned materials and receiving an additional 9 GB of donated digital files—a total of 50 GB of preserved history!

Participants received free USB drives containing digital copies of their records, allowing them to preserve and share their family treasures. The event also helped bring valuable pieces of North Sevier’s history into our growing community archives for generations to come. Participants heard live oral histories from local residents. We plan to host similar collaborative events in other areas in the county.

https://www.seviercountyhistoryhub.org/heritage-rescue

Looking Ahead to 2027

We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but there’s still so much history waiting to be discovered! In the coming year, we look forward to expanding our collections, strengthening partnerships, supporting local and rural historians and museums, and making more historical resources accessible to the public.

What's Next? RUSH!

Rural Utah Saving History

Our vision for preserving history reaches beyond Sevier County! Through RUSH! (Rural Utah Saving History), we’re working to strengthen historical preservation across Utah’s 19 rural counties. Building on our research and the lessons learned through the Sevier County History Hub Model, our next steps focus on developing partnerships, expanding archival training, and creating sustainable solutions that help rural communities gather, preserve, and share their unique histories.

Every community has a story worth saving, no matter its size or resources! Learn more about our vision and how to get involved at RUSH! Rural Archive Initiative

https://www.seviercountyhistoryhub.org/rural-archive-initiative

Help Us Make History!

History is happening every day, and everyone has a story worth preserving. Whether you have family photographs to share, memories to record, or time to volunteer, you can help protect Sevier County’s heritage.

Visit www.seviercountyhistoryhub.org to explore our collections and l earn how to get involved .

Together, we’re preserving Sevier County’s history—one record, one story, and one connection at a time.

Memorial Day: A Time of Remembrance

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:57:42 GMT

Honor our Veterans by Listening to their Stories

As we celebrated Memorial Day on May 25, 2026 a time of remembrance for those who died in the act of serving their country, we also remembered those who lived through war and returned to live worthwhile lives in times of peace. For many of those, their war memories remained alive for years after war.

Journalist Eric Sevareid in the foreward to the Time-Life Book WW II writes, " . . . the faces, the scenes and sounds, and some of the feelings come back again and again. There is no human experience like war, especially great and extended war, as war that involves whole nations and whole families. World War II was a total war . . ."

My Richfield High School students did over 200 interviews of World War II veterans and others affected by the war. They were recorded between the years 1991 and 1995. Students of Elaine Street did some interviews also. I edited all the transcriptions of the audio tapes, so though I was a little girl during the war, I felt that through reading their memories, I became a part of the war years in so many additional ways. In this column, I’ve included some quotes from a few histories.

These audio interviews and transcriptions have been available in libraries and at the Utah State Historical Society for years, but now, thanks to SCAHS's efforts, they can be accessed locally.

SCAHS stands for Sevier County Archive and Heritage Services.

The initials answer the question “Why preserve history?” Just SCAHS!

If you would like access to the oral recording of an interview and its transcription to learn more, here’s how.

Go to https://www.seviercountyhistoryhub.org/
Tap on 'Explore the Archive'
Then Browse 'Collections'
Click on the ' Judy Busk and Elaine Street Oral History Collection '

Listen, read, and view the stories.

You can also browse by person's name, topics like 'Military ' and by 'Subjects,' including specific wars, like WWII , Vietnam , veterans , etc. We hope you enjoy exploring the archive!

Visit Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services in person in the basement of the Sevier County Administration Building, Room B40, Monday-Friday 8 am - 5 pm, or schedule an appointment on our website. New items added weekly, digitizing is a work in progress, so check back often or submit a request! Volunteers welcome.

Also, our local Richfield Library has transcriptions housed in binders, alphabetized by last name. You can sit at a comfortable table and read memories of a person or persons of your choice. Through reading, you will be transported back to the years of World War II through vivid recollections that reveal not only events but emotions.

Voices of Valor: Veteran Quotes

Our veterans have played a crucial role in shaping the history of Sevier County. Here, we share their reflections and experiences, preserving their stories for future generations.

Click on the icon to read or listen.

Some quotes to pique your curiosity follow:

Tess Whiting

James Forsey

When it came over the radio that they bombed Pearl Harbor. I remember my feeling at the time [he was nine years old], how cowardly an act that seemed to be.

We saw the Japanese [at their Embassy] outside their building burning papers. I'm sure it was their secret messages and information.

Working in Washington D.C. on December 7, 1941

Fay Starr

I am wondering if anyone is ever prepared for war because with war comes a hard fear, and really I wasn't prepared for it, our country wasn't prepared for it, the people I lived around appeared not to be prepared for it. It threw us into quite an upset.With his [Adolf Hitler's] invasion, it necessitated a retaliation, because we couldn't let him go on. If he got that, he would just take another [country], and that's just the way it works. He had to be stopped!

C.G. Spencer

Lee Duffin

We saw the Japanese [at their Embassy] outside their building burning papers. I'm sure it was their secret messages and information. I don't criticize our government for anything that they taught us. You can't go into battle with the idea that you're going to a social. You've got to go into battle with the idea that that's your enemy and you're going to protect your homeland and loved ones at all cost.

George Anderson

Nearly every day in the Salt Lake Tribune, there would be six to nine pictures of war casualties of Utah servicemen. That was quite disturbing to me because these were pictures of these young guys who were casualties in one way or another of the war.On Saipan, we landed on the day after the invasion. After the infantry had taken over, we went in as artillery and the guns were still firing all around us. Japanese dead were all over. There were a lot of Americans still on the ground.

As they [German POWs] were being loaded into the truck for transportation back to France, they came out to get on the trucks and handed me some Christmas presents that they had been making. I still have those presents, a whole box full of them.

Arthur Lee

Leo Breinholt

We didn't have any bad feelings toward them [the Japanese]; they had to do what they had to do. Same as we did.

When you think about all the veterans, the disabled ones and everything like that, you want them [today's youth] to just pray that if they have to go to war, to do the best they can and just come home safe.

Mother of two World War II veterans

Leona Holt

Mother and dad's hair was grey when he (my brother) went in; but after he was reported missing, it seemed like overnight their hair went white, and they were just never the same until his body was found in a civil cemetery in Austria.

Helen Willardson

Hal Edwards

Judy Busk

This article was published in the Richfield Reaper, June 2, 2026.

The Pen is Mightier: Writing a Revolution

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:49:22 GMT

Discover “The Pen Is Mightier: Writing a Revolution”

America250 Utah Traveling Exhibit

February 18, 2026

to March 26, 2026

Snow College Richfield Library

Washburn Building

800 West 200 South

Richfield, Utah

Library Hours

Mon-Thurs 7:30 am - 9:00 pm

Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Closed Sundays and Holidays

Spring Break

February 28 – March 8

Monday - Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm

Closed on weekends

Traveling Exhibition comes to Sevier County

A free community event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary

In celebration of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services is proud to host “The Pen Is Mightier: Writing a Revolution,” a free traveling exhibition for visitors of all ages. This special event is on display at Snow College Richfield Library in the Washburn Building from February 18, 2026, to March 26, 2026.

The exhibition helps viewers explore the powerful tools of communication that sparked revolution and sustained the fight for independence. “The Pen Is Mightier” brings history to life through 20 curated panels, revealing how Revolutionary leaders harnessed printing presses, secret codes, and signals of sound, light, and music to inspire action and ignite lasting change.

“At Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services, our mission is simple: gather. preserve. share. Hosting ‘The Pen Is Mightier: Writing a Revolution’ allows us to do exactly that — to gather as a community, preserve the powerful stories and ideas that shaped our nation, and share in the enduring legacy of liberty. This exhibition reminds us that words sparked a revolution and that communication continues to shape our freedoms today. We invite families, students, veterans, and neighbors across Sevier County to experience this inspiring display and celebrate 250 years of the American spirit together,” invites Elaine Wayland, Organization Director.

“This exhibition is a powerful reminder that communication can turn ideas into action,” says Nicole Handy, executive director of America250 Utah. “The same can be said of our founders in their fight for democracy, which is what inspired this showcase of pivotal American moments — showing how messages became movements and sparked lasting change.”

This traveling exhibit is part of a larger exhibit on the 4 ^th floor of the Utah State Capitol through December 2026. Find out more about the exhibit and explore educational resources for teachers and parents at https://america250.utah.gov/exhibit/

For more information on viewing the exhibition, please call 435-979-3854.

About “The Pen Is Mightier” Exhibition

“The Pen Is Mightier,” an initiative of America250 Utah, is sponsored by the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation in conjunction with the Utah Arts & Museums Traveling Exhibition Program . The exhibition tours all 29 Utah counties through December 2026. See the schedule here . America250 Utah is directed by the America250 Utah Commission, with support from Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, and the Utah State Legislature.

About the Traveling Exhibition Program

Utah Arts & Museums’ Traveling Exhibition Program offers curated exhibitions to Utah communities and is supported, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts. UDA&M is a division of the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement. For more information about the Traveling Exhibition Program, visit this website .

Newsletter Issue 4

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 21:03:07 GMT

Just notes from the SCAHS Directors:

The archives have been hard at work gathering and preserving Sevier County history—and now it’s time to share. We currently have over 275 items cataloged and online, with many more in progress. We invite you to explore these materials by clicking “ Explore the Archive ” at seviercountyhistoryhub.org.

Our progress is thanks to an incredible team of volunteers and partners. With the help of a data entry clerk, Vienna Lewis, our intern Thayer Kruger, three sister service missionaries, transcription volunteers, and our partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have contributed more than 600 volunteer hours processing and scanning books, photographs, and historical documents. We truly could not do this work without every one of them.

We have also been building relationships with local and state ‘history hub’ partners and SCAHS historians, while refining our donation and loan procedures and processes. The support we have received has been overwhelming and deeply appreciated.

Even in our early stages, we have already been contacted by researchers and donors from across Utah and many other states—a strong sign of the value and reach of Sevier County’s history.

As we look ahead to 2026 and the celebration of 250 years of the United States of America, we are excited to continue gathering Sevier County’s unique stories, with a special focus on our founders and local businesses. Together, we are preserving these stories to ensure they are shared and remembered for generations to come.

Looking back on this year 2025, we are overwhelmed at the progress that has been made in organizing the underlying workings of our Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services. The offices are fully equipped to handle our history collecting and archiving. Most importantly, are the people involved in making this county project a reality. We are so grateful for the efforts of so many.

In thanks to these SCAHS supporting people and organizations, we held a “Holiday Thank You Celebration” where we recognized their contributions. Of course, our part-time staff, Tonia Lewis - Archivist, McKay Chamberlain - History Specialist, and Vienna Lewis - Data Processing Supervisor, were at the top of our list. Then special thanks were given to Commissioner Scott Johnson, Carl Albrecht, Richard Chamberlain, Lyman Forsythe, Kevin Jones, Jeanna Ogden, Kay Monroe, Robert Herbstrit, Rod and Leslee Hurd, Judy Busk, Teresa Robinson, and Don and Marie Peterson. Missionaries: Sister Johnson and Sister Neuberger, and our Intern Thayer Kruger.

Those not present but also thanked were Gordon and JoAnn Topham, David Ogden, Raymond Jensen, and Peggy Harrison.

A very special thanks also goes to our 15-member Advisory Board for their support and, of course, to our mayor-appointed city historians.

We recognized the financial contributions of the Sevier County Republican Women, Giving Springs, the class of 1960, and the company Five Inc.

The Board of Directors has completed all requirements for our non-profit status and has approved By-laws, Policies, and Procedures that make us eligible for government and private grants.

WE ARE READY TO GATHER, PRESERVE, AND SHARE!

Our focus this coming year is to work with our mayor-appointed city historians in refining the gathering process and to continue with public awareness!

Directors,

Elaine Wayland

Genie Nielsen

Carol Lee Johnson

Jennifer Nackowski

Tooter Ogden

Heritage Services: Gathering our Past

Archives: Preserving our Past

Over the past few months, Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services (SCAHS) has been busy strengthening skills, partnerships, and community presence. Heritage Services coordinated valuable training opportunities with the Utah Historical Society and Utah State Historical Records and Advisory Board, ensuring local staff and volunteers stay current with best practices in The Power of Historical Thinking, Sources and Resources, an Introduction to Oral History, and the Utah Cemetery Program.

SCAHS also collaborated with the Utah Women’s History Initiative to highlight and preserve stories that deepen our understanding of the county’s past. To celebrate 160 years of Sevier County, we hosted a booth at local events with the help of local history teacher, Rodney Hurd, and many other volunteers. We gathered over 20 mini oral history interviews telling the stories of their favorite memories of community events.

Adding a festive touch to community life, SCAHS placed themed decorations at Christmas Tree Lane, celebrating local heritage during the holiday season.

Looking ahead, SCAHS is actively preparing for 2026 with several exciting developments on the horizon. Planning continues for the next phase of the Sevier Speaks oral web series, expanding the collection of firsthand stories that capture the voices and experiences of the region. At the same time, SCAHS is building stronger connections with historians and heritage partners across the area to support new research, programs, and public history projects. Together, these efforts position SCAHS for a dynamic future focused on preserving, sharing, and celebrating Sevier County’s history.

“A people without the knowledge of their past history,

origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”

— Marcus Garvey

Newsletter originally published December 30, 2025.

Newsletter Issue 3

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 20:44:46 GMT

Just notes from the SCAHS Directors:

The archives department has been committed to learning, networking, and growing our capabilities as a community archive. An important step we’ve taken this year was hiring a part-time Data Entry Specialist, Vienna Lewis. Vienna’s role focuses on data entry, organizing collections, and preparing historical records to be made available online—an essential task as we continue to expand digital access for the public. Her attention to detail and commitment to preserving local history have already made a significant difference in our daily operations.

Tonia and Vienna Lewis received full scholarships to attend the Conference of Inter-mountain Archivists in Boise, Idaho. The conference provided valuable insights into preservation, digital access, and community engagement from professional archivists, while also offering unforgettable experiences through tours, hands-on classes, and excellent networking opportunities from mentors who will continue to support our journey.

We’ve taken a major step forward by implementing a comprehensive Archive Collection Management Solution. This system allows us to efficiently track, organize, and share our historical records, ensuring the collections are preserved and accessible for generations to come. A dedicated team, including Vienna Lewis, Jennifer Nackowski, and Sister Service Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been instrumental in cataloging over 125 historical items so far. These items—ranging from books, photographs, and letters to local documents— will soon be accessible on our website, seviercountyhistoryhub.org. Together, these accomplishments reflect the continued growth and momentum of the Sevier County Archives.

Throughout the first six months of this year 2025, our goal as Directors has been to inform the community of the services that our SCAHS organization is providing. To accomplish this, we have a plan.

Designed and printed brochures that describe our services.
Had bracelets made that remind people of our website address.
Designed materials for information booths at community events.
Met with SUP and DUP members, and various large and small history-oriented groups to share goals and procedures.
Plan to meet with the Sevier County city councils and their SCAHS historians to arrange the mailing of informational brochures to each home in their city.
Plan to be present at many community events to answer questions!

The hope is that through this awareness effort, all “Sevierians” will be informed as to the services available through the Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services and that they will be a part of helping preserve our wonderful past!

It is important that the members of our community know the services we are providing for preserving their histories. It is also important to know that it will take time to GATHER, PRESERVE, and SHARE the collections and stories. The website will take time to grow! We’ve had to set up our computer systems, ensure that all procedures meet legal requirements, and that there is order in the collection process.

And now we are ready!

As Directors, we’re so excited to get this process going. It will be necessary to work through the city historians and with our SCAHS staff by appointment. There has been a great response already. While we’re working to gather, preserve, and share . . . more history is being made each day! We need to be aware that each of us is an important part of our future history!!!!

Directors,

Elaine Wayland

Genie Nielsen

Carol Lee Johnson

Jennifer Nackowski

Heritage Services: Gathering our Past

Archives: Preserving our Past

Heritage Services has been heavily involved in several projects concerning the gathering of local history and promotion of historical appreciation within the Sevier Valley community. The work has earnestly continued in gathering and processing history from local cities, as well as an engaged effort in collecting county history, such as the history of the ATV Jamboree, notable mining towns, and Big Rock Candy Mountain.

Heritage Services has also been involved in the promotion of SCAHS efforts within the community. From presentations for the Sons and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, to dispersing our promotional brochures to the city of Monroe, to an interview on local radio, we have been dedicated to spreading the mission of our organization as we move into the summer months and further celebration of Sevier County’s 160th anniversary.

Additionally, Heritage Services has begun projects for the uplift and benefit of the community. The organization of Sevier County Youth Storytellers has been revamped, with exciting activities to be launched this fall at the start of the school year. The creation of Sevier Speaks, an oral history web series, has also been established, providing the community with exciting interviews and insights from some of Sevier County’s established citizens. There is a great deal of excitement as these ventures continue to develop and flourish, with the hope that they will be an inspiration to all living within the county.

“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”

~ Rudyard Kipling, Author & Journalist

Newsletter originally published July 1, 2025.

Newsletter Issue 2

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 20:03:19 GMT

Just notes from the SCAHS Directors:

The Archives Division is excited to announce that the seviercountyhistoryhub.org website is live! We have been busy creating a home for the history of Sevier County to be shared and available to the world. The Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services town Historians have been hard at work compiling and summarizing unique information about their towns. We have already had requests for more information on specific topics. This is an ongoing work in progress, so continue to check in to see what’s new. We would love for you to leave a quick review of your thoughts on our website. Just click the Leave a Review link at the bottom of the website.

Over the past few months, we have continued to research digital collection management systems to store and track information about the historical collections of documents, books, and photographs, and ephemera that we will be collecting. We are excited to announce that we have county and community support to move forward with this important need and have signed contracts to get the system implemented and receive training starting in March and the following months. Our collections will continue to grow, and this system will be a valued asset to help us stay organized and to quickly share and find information that we gather with the public.

In honor of Sevier County’s 160th Anniversary date, January 16, 2025, we started our new Facebook page. Follow Sevier County History Hub now on Facebook!

We are so excited! Our Archives and Heritage Services for Sevier County are now up and running and ready to Gather, Preserve and Share! With a special thanks to our county commissioners, we are in the basement of the Sevier County Administration Building Suite B40. We want you to see our location and what services are available for everyone in our community.

The sharing part of our mission is vitally important. We are arranging invitational open house events to introduce you to this new service! We will arrange presentations for any size group.

These presentations would include:

A short video about our beginnings
An introduction to our History Hub Website
A tour of our offices
And a sharing of our goals and procedures

To arrange a time for a presentation or if you have any questions, call 435-893-0484 and leave a message, and we will get back to you, or contact Elaine Wayland at 435-896-6312.

Directors,

Elaine Wayland

Genie Nielsen

Carol Lee Johnson

Jennifer Nackowski

IT’S CELEBRATION TIME!!!

Did you know that Sevier County is 160 years old this year!?

We plan to celebrate this historical occasion by introducing SCAHS, our Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services, as a community ‘history hub’ with a comprehensive digital archive that highlights the unique stories, documents, and artifacts from our county and each city.

What better way to celebrate our county than to look back at the people, places, and things that have made it the wonderful community we love? It has been said that preserving and sharing history shows a place’s maturing.

The starting and continuous building of this collection will be available on our Sevier County ‘History Hub’ website for everyone to enjoy!

Look for upcoming events everyone can enjoy!

HAPPY 160th SEVIER COUNTY!

Heritage Services: Gathering our Past

Archives: Preserving our Past

The Heritage Services division has been hard at work in ensuring a proper process is in place for the successful acquisition of historical documents that can be effectively digitized and preserved within archives. Throughout the last few months, the Heritage Services division has established its organization system, integration with Archives and the History Hub website, and developed a Deed of Gift and other permission forms to aid mayor-appointed historians in their efforts to find and obtain materials for digitization and preservation purposes.

Additionally, efforts have been made to connect further with the community concerning the production of promotional materials. New presentations for visitors to the Sevier County Archives, as well as promotional videos used in meetings with government officials, have been developed to encourage further appreciation and interest in the organization.

The Sevier County History Specialist has been meeting with many of the mayor-appointed city historians to receive historical documents, photos, etc., for digitization and archival purposes. Such recently obtained records include information such as the history of the construction of the Sevier Valley Center, the Odyssean-esque efforts to establish a city park in Richfield, and the celebration and remembrance of Sevier County servicemen who gave their lives in the cause of freedom.

Additional efforts are moving forward in the upcoming months to further engage within the community in future planned events, as well as the continued process of obtaining historical content to be displayed on the Sevier County History Hub website.

Newsletter originally published February 19, 2025.

“Stories are memory aids, instruction manuals, and moral compasses.”

~ Aleks Krotoski, Author & Journalist

Newsletter Issue 1

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 19:34:27 GMT

Just notes from the SCAHS Directors:

Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services has made significant strides in establishing its operations over the past few months. They have successfully set up their offices, creating a dedicated space to manage the county’s historical records and heritage projects. The Archivist has been thoroughly researching professional archival equipment and best practices, ensuring she is prepared to maintain and preserve the archives in accordance with industry standards. They have also explored available resources for staff training to ensure that their team is well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.

A key part of their recent work includes researching potential grants to support their efforts. Team members Tonia and Teresa attended a grant-writing workshop offered by the Small Business Development Center at Snow College. This training will assist in securing funds for future projects. The archives department also created an organizational chart outlining their processes and a comprehensive overview of Sevier County Archives and Heritage Services (SCAHS), ensuring operations are structured for growth.

To further refine strategies, the Archivist toured the Emery County Archives and Uintah County Regional History Center, gathering insights from other regional archives. The Archives Division has also been researching content management systems to optimize how it manages and stores Sevier County’s valuable historical content, ensuring the records are accessible and well-preserved for future generations.

Our “History Hub” website designs are underway. We will begin by featuring what makes each town unique, along with a brief historical overview and information about the founding families. The text is currently being compiled by the city historians through research of historical records.

Elaine Wayland, Genie Nielsen, Carol Lee Johnson and JoAnn Topham.

We are so pleased to report to the citizens of Sevier County that at last we have a history and archive department in Sevier County. Many of us have been concerned and aware of the need for the preservation and accessibility of the past work that has been done by the historians in our area that have worked so hard to collect, write and sometimes publish our precious history events and stories. And we know there are still many stories that need to be collected, preserved and shared.

Thanks to our County Commissioners approval and support of the proposal to create a position of Archivist/Historian in the county, we have been able to start this important work.

With county support and local donations , we have been able to hire an Archivist and a Historian. We plan to accomplish this task of collecting, preserving and sharing Sevier County’s heritage and history by:

Being a “History Hub” or a center in the county that connects our towns and cities of the county, our local libraries, and our local heritage/history organizations to interact with the Utah State Archives and Records, Utah Department of Culture and Community Engagement, and the Utah State Historical Society. To eventually fit with the state proposals of us being a regional history hub with Utah State contacts to contribute local records, histories and records.

Gathering of local history by mayor appointed historians to evaluate, secure and preserve history for future generations.

Providing a channel for local volunteers to coordinate and support these local resources.

Developing a Sevier County History Digital Archive website that will providing online identification and promotion of our county/community resources including a Sevier County bibliography with links to the physical or online resources.

Providing a contact point for those wishing to preserve, research family and community histories.

Identifying and determining the need for preserving local government records.

Mainly, we want to celebrate and promote our local heritage. If you want to find written histories or items, you can go to the SCAHS website and find it’s exact location either physically or on-line.

Heritage Services: Gathering our Past

Archives: Preserving our Past

The Heritage Services division of our efforts to discover and preserve key details of events, records, and individuals has been hard at work in connecting with all mayor-appointed city historians. Each perspective of every town in Sevier County is unique and requires special attention devoted to the gathering and inventory of such history. We have been working with several historians to identify areas of research and study that are considered most passionate and important for each city, as well as engaging in efforts to set up initial information for our History Hub website. Further meetings with city historians will take place to help them begin a standard process of obtaining information to be shared and eventually digitized and archived.

As part of the process for collecting, digitizing, and preserving history, a series of trainings for historians are in the process of being developed. These trainings will consist of a combination of accessible online resources and activities to help assist historians with entering collection data, as well as in-person training to assist in various gathering processes that uphold ethical and legal guidelines. These training courses are geared to answer key questions related to any conducting of interviews, where to find key information, best practices for recording and obtaining history, etc. These trainings are meant to enact a smooth process for historians in their gathering efforts, while also establishing levels of consistency in the gathering of content before transitioning to any elements of digitizing and preservation.

Among other activities, the Heritage Services division is committed to engaging in historical efforts throughout each city within the county. Efforts are being made to collaborate with personally formed organizations in each city that advocate for preservation, such as that of historical societies, family history organizations, and committees working towards the building of a historical museum. Additionally, collaboration with organizations such as the National Youth Storytellers are being implemented to establish clubs and activities designed for youth to learn and share stories, participate in history-oriented service projects, and discover their potential as they look forward to implementing a similar historical legacy in their own lives.

Newsletter originally published September 30, 2024.

“There is no greater power on this earth than story.”

~ Libba Bray, Author

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James Forsey

Working in Washington D.C. on December 7, 1941

Fay Starr ﻿

C.G. Spencer

Lee Duffin

George Anderson

Arthur Lee

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Newsletter Issue 4

Just notes from the SCAHS Directors:

Heritage Services: Gathering our Past

Archives: Preserving our Past

Newsletter Issue 3

Just notes from the SCAHS Directors:

Heritage Services: Gathering our Past

Archives: Preserving our Past

Newsletter Issue 2

Just notes from the SCAHS Directors:

Heritage Services: Gathering our Past

Archives: Preserving our Past

Newsletter Issue 1

Just notes from the SCAHS Directors:

Heritage Services: Gathering our Past

Archives: Preserving our Past

Rural Utah Saving History

Fay Starr

Leona Holt