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

~ Rudyard Kipling, Author & Journalist

Just notes from the SCAHS Directors: 

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

Archives: Preserving our Past

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. 

Heritage Services: Gathering 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.

Newsletter originally published July 1, 2025.