John Wesley Powell Museum

Location: 1765 E Main Street in Green River
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days a week, year round

Step back in time to when the Green River was a mystery and the hills, canyons and caverns it flows through were uncharted. The John Wesley Powell Museum, located in Green River City, takes visitors back to the formation of the Green River and the days of the Wild West.

The museum tells a story. By the time you walk around all of the exhibits you have seen this area from the very beginning to the present. It has exhibits on early Indians, mountain men, explorers and a river rafter's hall of fame.

Named after a famous explorer, the John Wesley Powell, the museum pays special attention to the people who first traveled the tempest of the Green River. There is a lot of history in southern Utah. It was one of the wildest areas in the United States. The museum gives a glimpse into one of the last unexplored areas of the West.

There is a display of historic and modern riverboats in the museum and a tribute to famous people who have traveled the river. Along with other dignitaries, Brent Loper, a well-known river runner in the early 1900s, donated his oars to the cause. The museum has a "Hall of Fame" for river runners. There is an information panel describing each inductee's career.

This museum boasts a 200-seat auditorium that shows "A River Experience." This production explains the history of the river and takes the audience on a "virtual river run."

Aside from its focus on history, the museum has a fine art gallery. Joseph S. Venus, internationally known artist from Sandy, Utah directs the River Gallery in the John Wesley Powell River History Museum. This gallery contains the work of many artists including Kay Taylor Affleck, Ken England, Brady Fairbanks, Jean Gasser, Rebecca Hartvigsen, Richard A. Mills, Harold A Nelson, Lori Nichols, Gary Prazen, Anton Rasmussen, Diane E. Turner, Larry Wade, Carel Brest VanKemmpen, Joseph S. Venus and Jo Baxter. Visit the John Wesley Powell River History Museum's web page or the museum to see their art.

The John Wesley Powell Museum is a natural stop on the way to the San Rafael Swell or a river trip. The museum serves as the Moab-Green River information center and has one of the area's largest gift shops. Ample parking is available for buses and larger vehicles. There is also a large picnic area and pavilion on the grounds.

For more information visit the museum's web page http://www.jwprhm.com. It contains detailed descriptions of all of its exhibits.

Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days a week, year round. The museum is on 1765 E Main Street in Green River. (435) 564-3427.