Our View: Powell worthy of honor

This week represents a major anniversary for an event of historical, cultural and scientific significance.

Maj. John Wesley Powell led an expedition down the Green River 150 years ago from a small hub that would ultimately become the city we call home. The first expedition was an adventure fraught with peril and discovery. While lacking much of the scientific rigor the second, better funded 1871 expedition provided, Powell’s first journey helped map the waterways from southwestern Wyoming through the Grand Canyon. Both journeys also helped establish an understanding of the arid environment in much of the southwestern United States and the need for a different use of the land. These concerns would fall on largely deaf ears as farming and expansion was promoted throughout the western states.

Powell is an important historical figure not just for his famed expedition, but for the for what he performed in laying the groundwork for establishing the United States Geological Survey and the Smithsonian’s Bureau of Ethnology. These two organizations helped promote scientific study into the land and indigenous peoples throughout the United States.

These expeditions are important to Green River’s early history and deserve to be commemorated. We’re happy to see the University of Wyoming, Sweetwater County Historical Museum and others recognize the importance of Powell’s first expedition by hosting events through the rest of the week. Between an art exhibit, presentations about Powell’s work and how it relates now and other activities, residents have a tremendous opportunity to learn about Powell.

Powell’s legacy is something the city should continue to embrace. He is the perfect representative for the kind of fearless attitude that helped chart and explore America in the 1800s while having a respect for the indigenous cultures existing in the west. While it isn’t hard to imagine someone eventually taking that journey if Powell hadn’t, Powell’s unique qualifications as both adventurer and scientist helped create an understanding of the river system and geology few people could have done.

We encourage residents to visit the museum and look at their display on Powell, as well as take part in some of the activities celebrating his expedition. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about a man who had an incredible impact on the west.