Museum is important to GR

It takes a lot to create a community.

There are a lot of pieces that fit together and create the Green River we love. It’s more than the sum of its parts. We have excellent schools and library system.

We have an extremely dedicated volunteer fire department and several active community organizations seeking to improve our community. There are a lot of moving parts making Green River the kind of place we’re proud to call home.

One of the pieces we believe doesn’t get as much credit as it should is the Sweetwater County Historical Museum. Our county museum is more than a collection of old artifacts and information about Sweetwater County’s history. It’s staffed by an active group of people who use that history to enhance and support Green River and Sweetwater County.

A lot of the museum’s dedication to Green River and Sweetwater County has been on display over the past year. The museum was important in marking the county’s 150th anniversary last year, which culminated in the instillation of a monument at the Sweetwater County Courthouse. However, the museum’s full dedication was on display during the city’s 150th anniversary celebration.

The museum’s director, Brie Blasi, gave guided tours of the U.P. Depot building to more than 600 people, explaining the history of the building that has become symbolic of Green River’s early years as an important hub for the Union Pacific Railroad.

The museum was an important part of planning the tent town near the depot as well. Without the museum’s staff, it wouldn’t have been such a success.

Beyond that, the museum has proven to be a part of our community beyond helping with historically-important events. The museum’s curator Amanda Benson participated at Trunk of Treat, handing out candy with a “Jurassic Park” display. Benson also is a member of the Sweetwater County Library Foundation board. Dave Mead, the exhibits coordinator, also serves on the city’s Greenbelt Task Force.

Like Green River, the museum is a sum greater than its individual parts. The Sweetwater County Historical Museum is a key piece of our community.