Show i r 6 f i B W a H I J i If rot T o A u THEY WORKED HARD Members of the Vernal Lions Llona Club committee who Inaugural I I ed the Ut Utah Field House of Natural an did cUd yeoman ric in publicizing it and pushing It to completion Left to right JenA esse A Chene first committee chairmen Stat State Senator r H Grant Ve Vest Veah t Dal DIJ Dale C Naylor Jel Jesse Lombard Leo C Thorne Charles R Henderson present pr ent committee chairman G 0 Ernest Ernes Field nelc House director EarlC Mayor B H Wm Wm B Wai Willis Us Ona Ou A A Harrison Hurton i land an Earl C C Sanford who were also allO committee committe members were not 1101 present for lot photograph 1947 SEES SECS BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION TION OF UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Lions Club Sponsored j Project Succeeds After Years of Effort One of the most important events vents in Vernal's history took place October 16 18 when the th corn corn- cornerstone cornerstone erstone of the new hew I Field House of Natural History was laid by Governor Herbert I B Maw Attended by state and local I dignitaries the ceremonies cUm clim axed a five year effort by the Vernal Lions Club and other civic groups in behalf of the project Featured on the program was the placing In the cornerstone a copper-box copper in which was en en- en enclosed enclosed closed a bearing the signa sign signatures tures lures of the more than 1000 per per- persons sons who witnessed the dedica dedica- dedicatory dedicatory tory rites together with a docu docu- docu document ment outlining the purpose of the project and the attractions of the region which was signed by many of the individuals who behalf of the pro pro- project and specimens of the geology of the region Originally conceived as a project the plan was broadened until it reached its present size I Purpose of the structure is to toI house exhibits displaying and ex ex- ex explaining explaining I the unique geology of the Uintah Umlah Basin region as well as its plant and animal life I However the scope was enlarged enlarged ed to include the Utah room which will show the recreational and scenic attractions of the I state in an endeavor to induce travelers to prolong their visit in Utah to view other points of interest The building will also house study rooms for use of scientific groups studying the geology geology of the area One of the greatest jobs ac ac- ac accomplished accomplished by the committee members in the securing of the project for Vernal was in the field of publicity and education At the inception of the program I the committee under the direction direction tion of J first com com- committee committee chairman who has since been intimately associated with the published project compiled and pub pub- in booklet form an out out- outline ling line lIn of the geological and other unique features of the area This booklet was mailed to city and state officials as well as to civic leaders and other influential influential persons throughout the state Committee members over over- looked no opportunity to contact by person or otherwise duals duals or groups who could aid aidin aidin in the advancement of the pro pro- project Since the inception of the project the committee has made 43 special trips to Salt Lake and other communities and and traveled over miles All expenses of these trips were paid by the members m themselves Funds for construction of the building were made available by the Utah State Department of Publicity and Industrial De De- Development De- De Development Ora Bundy was chairman of the Commission when in 1944 1044 it first proffered ale aid Governor Maw approved the I recommendation ot of the Depart Depart- Department Department ment that the structure be erect erect- erected erected ed appropriation and authorized the tion of funds from the Depart Depatt- Department's ments ment's budget The money was made available in 1946 1046 The Utah State Legislature at its last session unanimously ap app proved the project State Sena Sena- Sena Senator tor H Grant Vest and State Re Re- Representative Francis Feltch g gf efforts on the floors of f both houses h and their work largely in committees were large large- ly Iy instrumental in securing the approval of the Legislature Owing to increased cost coit of labor and supplies considerable difficulty was encountered in securing a construction contract within the amount authorized Bids were called for three times before a contract within the specified amount was offered In order to keep within the allotment it was found necessary necessary essary to eliminate the propos propos- proposed proposed ed tower on the building and andone andone one room Members who have served on the various local project commit commit- committees committees tees are Mr Cheney Mr Vest Mr Henderson Feltch and Charles R Hen Hen- derson chairman Earl C San- San Sanford ford Jesse Lombard Leo C Thorne Thome Dale Naylor William B Wallis and Ona Ona Oha A Harrison Hamson A A G Nord assistant regional relio l forester U S Forest Service a former Vernal resident has haslon long lon been active in behalf of the project and is known as the F ther of the institution Others who were active in its I development were Aaron W Tracy present chairman of the I Department Depa Dep of Publicity and Industrial Development Cud Gua Backman secretary s Cre of the Salt Lake Chamber ot of Commerce 8 JF L Champ Logan I IG G E U tn was named named director of the institution in tn 1946 1046 and has had general super super- supervision pe vision of the th project since i w ol I Th The to the Rouse Field House exhibits was waa made m de deby by Ernest noted noted noted painter geologist in 1946 when hE donated 1 14 large paints which he had made depicting the pre pre- historic prehistoric and present pres nt animal life of Uintah Basin as well wen as the scenic attraction of the area area The Vernal Field House is a member of the American As A A of Museums which in turn is affiliated with the Inter Inter- International I national Conference of ot Museums in which 44 nations have memo mem mem- mem membership I In a letter to Life Magazine inviting them to send a reporter and photographer to this area Mr called attention to the fact that the five great geologic areas the 1 the the Paleozoic the Mesozoic and the Cenozoic are are exposed in the Uinta Mountains Twenty-six Twenty major formations form comprise the Uintah Mountain series 20 of which carry fossils and cover a prehistoric plant and animal record embracing million years from Cam Cam- Cambrian brian brlan well up into the Tents As t te a history rb book b J Jt of the earth ee the e far tr r exceed the t Grand and Canyon In addition to the fossil life of the Grand Canyon we lave have ave the Mesozoic M so ol reptiles ti and anda a great ser es ot tertiary mam- mam 7 maim Dials Ifer t T 1 N J |