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Show 12 Feature Caring for the Past at the Heritage House SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9, 2000 edge of the past. By Barbara Pyles Many of us are overwhelmed when unexpected guests arrive at our home. For starters, the beds might not be made or there could be dishes in the sink. When guests arrive at the Heritage House, Joan Kirby shows them every inch of the home-n- o room is off limits. She has served as Director of the Heritage House for the past three summers. Kirby loves working in a place where the past and the present come together. This beautiful Victorian house was the home of two early pioneers in Kanab: Henry E Bowman and Thomas On weekends, Kirby and the children dress up in clothes from the era of the home and perform the tasks that the Bowman and Chamberlain families would have done. Since it was a family home, the children fit right in. The youngsters tease wool, chop wood or work in the garden. At times, she does needlework, or works at the spinning wheel. ing the times that they are doing living history, she finds it hard to pass through a room without recalling the people who lived there. The Director says that the number of people visiting the house fluctuates from week to week and even month to month. In June we have an average of 10 people a day. On the weekends we have around 25. According to Kirby, things, she said with a laugh. I really surprised my mother wThen I took an interest in needlework. The Heritage House, on the comer of Main and 100 South, is open to the public from April 1 to on the doorstep. Some larger groups do schedule in advance. Because the house is closed in the winter months, Kirby checks on the home at least once a week and cleans about once a month. Besides deeming and showing the home, this energetic mother teaches needlework classes (with the citys permission) two days a week at the home. Kirby is delighted that she can share her October 1. The home is also open to the public for several days in December. Kirby was bom in Reno, Nevada, but grew up in Las Vegas, Tempe, Arizona, Boulder City, Nevada and Moapa Valley, where she graduated from high school. Her family moved often because her dad was an airline pilot. Perhaps he followed in the footsteps of his father who was a barnstormer, and possibly Kirby is following in the footsteps of both men. She soloed at the age of 17, but stopped flying when she started college. Today, she is workingtoward getting her pilots license. When shes not working, taking flying lessons, or caring for her family, Kirby is taking college classes. Kirby also likes genealogy and history. She enjoys researching different periods, especially the Chamberlain. The Heritage House has been restored as it was when it was first built. As Director of the Heritage House, she takes care of the house and presents it to the public. When new articles arrive, Kirby decides where to display them, mostof the time. For instance, she wanted to display the organ in the front parlor. However, since the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers are in charge of the exhibits in the parlors, Kirby had to get their permission to display the organ in that room. The house contains many original furnishings including a sewing machine and a table that belonged to Elinor Chamberlain, explained Kirby. The hutch in the dining room belonged to the Bowman family. She added that the articles in the two parlors came from other families. Occasionally, Kirbys four children tag along while shes working. She believes that its a meaningful way to enrich their knowl era when the Bowman and As Director of the Heritage House for the past three summers, Joan Kirby takes care of the house and presents it to the public. She says she loves working in a place where the past and the present come together. visitation drops off in the hotter creativity and keep certain promonths but picks up again in cedures alive. Her classes this There may be a bond between September. year consist of Hardanger, a also We get various family Norwegian needle art and a Kirby and the house, a tion that transcends time. Dur- reunions that suddenly show up Swedish weaving class, which Now and again, in the cooler months, Kirby cooks on the stove. Kirby says is ideal for beginners. In addition, she serves as an instructor for those who want to learn how to crochet or knit. As a child, I found it much more interesting to do boy O Satellite Kane County Dental Group PERSONALIZED & Save $200 sso K. John Armstrong DDS Robert Gibson DDS Larry Staples DDS Nileen Whitlock RDH 435-644-41- 81 355 N. Main Street Kanab, UT 84741 by Subscribing Today! digital-qualit- y No monthly contract. 877-DISH-1- 11 Local ! for Utah Toll-fr- oAECTvantfOTMniwrvMnftuoo 0fcCTVlW what QJ dirsct. on yom hokiaff mfTU stmt -hsrpmh w ri wufw in Himii iw v- - ,g ((STEEL ROOFING SIDING SAVES$j) Your Own Sheds & Bams Build Galvanized 2 WIDE 7fflint Colors 3 WIDE 8, 10. 12, 14, 16 330 sqft sllvei 260 sqft Call now for an appointment YV Programming starting at $21 "mo. Over 210 channels available. Avoid rising cable rates. COMFORTABLE Ask us about our new orthodontic procedures, with new techniques that decrease treatment time up to 40 Call today for a consult with Dr. John Armstrong. Chamberlain families lived in the Heritage House. I find that it makes the families come alive for me when I know more aboutwhat was going on during the time that they lived, she says. That is one reason I like having my children here, because it makes things come alive for them also. This history enthusiast has lived in Kanab with her family . for about seven years. Her husband, Michael, is a teacher at the Kanab Middle School. He is also an EMT and a volunteer firefighter. The main reason that Michael and Joan moved to Kanab is so they could raise their family in a small town. We love Kanab. Were settled in, she says. &vs!labfi HE?ALK2An? Visa and Master Card Accepted 1200 E. 100 S. LEHI.UT 8.00 -- 5.00 SAT 8.00 -- Noon n ni i In M-- for FREE StockPrlce List Various lengths & colors Limited quantities HI F Subject to prior sale Fu8 lengths only Price can change - J |