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Show Escalante Daughters Of The Utah Pioneers Renovate Local Museum ESCALANTE Renovation of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers museum in Escalante has begun with the help of the Escalante Main Street committee, students, DUP members and other volunteers. The museum was originally built in 1884 as an LDS tithing house. It also once served as the high school and as a residence. The LDS Church leased the building in perpetuity to the DUP and it has served as a repository for their museum collection. Grants from the Utah State Historical Society, the Escalante Chamber of Commerce, the Utah Travel Council and the LDS Foundation have provided the necessary funds for renovation. Escalante High School students and Boy Scouts from troops 676 and 677, dug out the basement, which was filled with debris that had accumulated over the years. The dirt floor has now been poured with concrete and will be used for storage. Garkane Power is donating the electric heater and Nature's Sounds donated support beams for the flooring. , Hunt Electrical, Bryce Valley Builders and Munson Construction are doing the professional work. DUP members and friends will be doing much of the labor and cleaning, painting and papering. Carpeting from the St. George LDS Temple will be installed in the latter part of June. The building has been open on an appointment basis only. After its renovation and with the heat and electricity installation, DUP members mem-bers will be able to extend its hours to offer the public an opportunity to view our local heritage. The DUP recently celebrated its 100th birthday on Apr. 11 and Escalante is celebrating its 125th birthday this year. Residents feel that this is an exciting time to have their heritage restored and viewed by the public to help celebrate the landmarks in the history of Escalante. |