by Sarah Miley
STAFF WRITER
Old black and white photos don the walls of a building on Vine Street. Dishes, clothing and books are enclosed in glass cases -- images of days gone by.
But these items hold more than just nostalgia value. They belonged to Tooele pioneers and are kept in that building to honor their memory.
"People might find things in their homes that they think are junk, but we think everything here is a treasure," said Julie Merrill, museum director.
The history of the Tooele pioneers is packed into the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum on Vine Street. Even the building itself has a rich history as a former county courthouse and former Tooele City Hall. It is the oldest public building still standing in Tooele County. The county sold it to the city in the late-1880s, after which the Tooele Daughters of Utah Pioneers -- founded by Barbara Bowen in 1915 -- were able to secure a lease for it for $1 per year in the 1940s.
The items at the museum give a glimpse of what life was like in the early days of Tooele County. There are more than 1,000 artifacts, more than 1,000 photos and more than 1,900 histories of pioneers. They have all been donated by descendants of Tooele pioneers. Among the items on display are a water shares book that dates back to the 1800s, as well as iron stone china -- also called Poor Man's China. Merrill explained this kind of china was less expensive than real china and was durable, able to withstand the trek across the plains.
Another item is an unusual iron. John G. Heggie found this iron without a handle while he was crossing the plains. In accord with the pioneer motto of "Make it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without," Heggie made a handle out of a horseshoe.
Merrill said many of the items in the museum reflect the desire of pioneer women to make their homes attractive.
"They prided themselves on trying to make their homes beautiful," she said, adding that although they were out west in cowboy country, they still wanted to maintain their ladylike qualities.
Merrill joined the DUP organization in Salt Lake. She and her husband moved to Tooele in 2003. She was company president of the organization from 2005 to 2007, and then last summer she was appointed museum director.
Even though Merrill doesn't have any direct ties to Tooele pioneers, she has a deep love for history and has come to appreciate the sacrifices Tooele pioneers made when coming to this valley.
"There was so much heartache, and so many tears and struggles to get here," she said. "This is a tribute to them."
Merrill said her favorite thing about being involved with the museum is when a descendant of one of the pioneers whose photo or is past belonging displayed in the museum comes in and is able to see that.
"That's why I'm here," she said. "I don't get paid, but when someone gets excited, that's the payoff."
The museum is starting something new this year. While they offer many personal histories and photos of pioneers to their descendants, now they will be putting their histories on a computer at the museum. With the click of a button, a descendant will be able to come in and print it out. Photos will still have to be ordered.
A few years ago, through funding from various organizations, they were able to renovate the outside of the building, which included restoring the original rock exterior and getting a new roof. Now they are working on the inside of the museum. The daughters just recently received $25,000 from the county to restore the old jail, which should be completed by next year.
In their work on the inside, they have discovered several layers of original clay bricks underneath the floor from the late-1860s. Merrill said she plans to enclose some of the bricks so people can see them. In addition, they'd like to get funding for a new floor, as it is dry rotting.
All in all, the daughters have secured about $101,000 in grants and funding to do these kinds of projects over the past several years.
Merrill said she wishes more people knew about the museum and hopes people will take advantage of the great historical resource right here in Tooele.
"It's one of the treasures people don't know are here," she said.
Groups, such as Scouts, Girl Scouts and senior citizens, are invited to the museum. A treasure hunt and worksheet is available with candy for prizes for people who want to come in and do the tour.
Since the DUP is a volunteer organization, donations are always accepted.
The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from the first Friday in May to the end of September. For more information, the museum phone number is 843-0771. Appointments can be made for tours not during regular hours.
swest@tooeletranscript.com