Kids learn about county history

Students from throughout Sweetwater County came to the Sweetwater County Historical Museum to learn about the county's past

The museum hosted its annual history fair last week and along with a tour of the museum, children were taught how to churn their own butter and pan for gold. Amanda Benson, curator of the museum, said the weeklong fair replaces the school tours the museum used to host, which would take place over the course of about two months. She said the fair, with its added interactive stations, has become a popular field trip for schools. During the past week, Benson said the museum has hosted more than 800 students from Green River, Rock Springs, McKinnon, Granger and Farson.

"We reach out to every school in Sweetwater County," Benson said.

While students enjoyed panning for gold and the taste of their homemade butter, Benson said children enjoyed listening to Dennis Freeman talk about the mountain men and other early explorers coming through the area. Freeman dressed as a mountain man and spoke to students at Centennial Park in front of a cloth tent.

"They're really interested in what he has to say," Benson said. "He's a wealth of knowledge."

Benson said the museum staff continues to improve the yearly fair. She said she hopes to include additional activities about the various immigrant trails passing through Sweetwater County and possibly include an activity involving Johnny cakes, a basic food made by frying a dough consisting of corn meal, salt and water popular amongst immigrants traveling west.