Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Howcroft.
Hi Valerie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When the North Sanpete school board decided to close the old sandstone elementary school, which had since 1900 provided the educational foundation for Fairview‘s children, the community was divided on what should be done with the old building. Some were in favor of razing the two-story structure and using the property for other purposes. Others believed the building, itself a museum of sorts, could be put to better use.
By 1962 this climate of indecision led Avard Fairbanks, a sculptor of national and international renown, to lease the building as a workshop and gallery. He created some of his finest works in the building, including the “Love and Devotion“ sculpture that was eventually designated a national shrine, and several important political and religious sculptures.
When Fairbanks ended his lease, he left behind a large number of beautiful art pieces. Most of these are the original plaster sculptures from which Fairbanks created his famous bronzes. Over 90 of his works are displayed in the museum today. In order to preserve these valuable works, Fairview City purchased the building from the school district. Because the deed specified that the building be used for “cultural purposes,“ the other potential uses envisioned by the city were precluded, and the city had on its hands a “Cultural” building with no “Cultural” program. So the city decided to divest itself of what it considered an encumbrance by offering the building to the highest bidder.
Golden Sanderson, an avid collector of pioneer artifacts, along with Lyndon Graham, who had earned a solid reputation for his miniature carvings in wood, purchased the building with hopes of preserving the symbols of their heritage and culture. They and a handful of other community members created the Fairview Museum corporation in 1966.
Sanderson, who was the named curator and president of the board, spent the remainder of his lifetime collecting artifacts for the museum, to help to preserve the memory of rural life. Most were used in the homes, shops, and fields of the early settlers of Sanpete Valley. There are currently more than 2000 such items on exhibit in what is now known as the Heritage Building.
Graham, who was named vice president, served for many years and contributed much in the way of his art skills. Several of his intricate carved dioramas in wood and stone are displayed in the museum today.
In 1988 an intact Columbian Mammoth skeleton was unearthed 18 miles east of Fairview at Huntington Reservoir. It was not only one of the most complete mammoth skeletons ever found, but it was also discovered at the highest elevation ever recorded for a mammoth. This sensational find prompted the Fairview Museum board to find funding and construct a building capable of housing the unique artifact. The two-story Horizon Building was completed in 1995 and houses a variety of natural history exhibits, as well as the works of many local artists. It also boasts a large collection of the works of famed wildlife painter and sculptor Clark Bronson, who lived in Fairview.
On the main level there is a gift shop and an extensive local history library.
The original Fairview City Hall building, which stands on the museum campus, was built in 1900. In 1916 the North Sanpete School District acquired the building and used it as a lunchroom and classroom for the adjacent junior high school. After the junior high school was eventually demolished, the city hall building sat vacant for decades. But in 2021 a grant was provided by the Fritz B. Burns foundation to restore the building and make it part of the museum. After three years of extensive renovation work, the beautifully-restored structure was opened to the public in 2024 as the Rawlinson Old City Hall Building. It houses paintings and photographs of the early days of Fairview, and is often used for special events.
In addition to the three buildings, the Fairview Museum campus features a large number of outdoor displays, an atrium, and a picnic area. Each July the museum becomes a major hub of community Pioneer Day activities, including the annual car show, art walk, auction, and more. Throughout the year the museum hosts various classes, presentations, and special displays.
Admission to the museum is free to the public, with donations gladly accepted. Hours and helpful information can be found on the Internet at fairviewmuseum.org.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
These beautiful buildings have drawn people from all around the world as well as from throughout the United States. Our museum is entirely staffed by volunteers, for whom we are very thankful.. The museum could not operate without them. One of our biggest challenges is keeping staffed with enough volunteers. With three buildings, a large campus, thousands of artifacts, and lots of visitors, there is plenty for the volunteers to do.
Another ongoing challenge is funding the various projects needed to maintain and enhance the museum. We greatly appreciate the many donations we receive from our generous donors, as well as grants from government and charitable foundations. Old buildings and artifacts need a lot of maintenance, and we have many exciting projects in the planning stages, so additional funds are always very welcome.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Art:
Every two months our Rotating Artists Gallery features a new display of the works of a particular local artist. The display begins with an open house where people can come to meet the artist and learn more about the art. Visitors come from all over Utah, the United States, and at times even other countries. We are booked two years in advance. If you are an artist and would like to book a show please contact us. It is surprising how many truly talented and renowned artists we have in our area. It’s a lot of fun!
History:
Our latest endeavor is the Bridging History project. We are gathering written, oral, and video histories from longtime Sanpete County residents. We are also digitizing the many handwritten and typed journals and records from our collection, most of which cannot be found anywhere else. Our goal is to eventually make the entire collection available to the public online.
What are your plans for the future?
Annual events:
> July – Car show, art walk, lace days, and special displays.
> December – Christmas Tree forest.
Classes:
> Woodworking
> Painting
> Pottery
> Lacemaking
Projects planned:
> Additional landscaping
> Adding a pioneer cabin and pavilion to the campus
> Expansion of displays in the Heritage building
Pricing:
- Free to the public. Donations are greatly appreciated.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fairviewmuseum.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fairviewmuseum
