Clipper June 30, 2011
News A9
Utah APH seeking stories of freedom BY JENNIFFER WARDELL Clipper Staff Writer
THE MUSEUM BOARD needs someone to construct a model of the house’s interior as it once was. Photo by Jenniffer Wardell
Special skills needed in Whitaker volunteers BY JENNIFFER WARDELL Clipper Staff Writer CENTERVILLE — Whitaker Museum is looking for some very specific volunteers. The museum board is currently looking for a group of volunteers with very specific skill sets such as drawing/ painting, modelmaking, and research.While the board works remodeling the current museum building, the volunteers would start working on a variety of internal projects that would help bring the story of the Whitakers and the city as a whole to life. “Some of the projects require certain skills,” said Whitaker Museum Board chair Paul Thomas Smith. “But if people are very enthusiastic, and very willing to try hard, that would be great.” That enthusiasm will be most useful on the research projects, the first of which involves researching property records at the Davis County courthouse for information such as the original Whitaker property lines and where the city’s historic roads were. “Then we could teach people how the city grew,” said Smith.“You don’t need a Ph.D., you just need the time and the determination to do the work.” The other research project would involve looking for records in the LDS Church History Museum and in the Utah State Historical Society.Thomas Whitaker was an extensive journal keeper, but most of them were burned during a diphtheria epidemic.The only one that’s left deals more with Whitaker’s thoughts and feelings than with events, and there is a lot of information that
could be fleshed out. “I just came across a very interesting statement that Elizabeth Whitaker – and to a lesser extent Thomas – was very good friends with Dr. Seymour Young, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy,” said Smith. “For the life of me, I can’t figure out why they had such an affinity with each other.” For those with an artistic bent, the museum board is looking for someone willing to draw or paint the three Whitaker homes in Centerville.The works would need to be based on written descriptions that are available, some of which are more complete than others. On a more three-dimensional front, Smith is also looking for someone willing to build a cutaway model of the original Whitaker Farm (the home that eventually became the museum).The inside of the home was completely remodeled in the 1920s, and Smith hopes that a model would give visitors an idea of the original interior. “The inside was basically gutted,” he said.“If we can’t remodel the interior, we can at least show people what it looked like.” The most unique project, and the one that will likely require the most specialized skill set, is building a working replica of the device used to extract silk thread from silkworm cocoons. Mostly wood, the device itself is less than three feet long. “The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum in Ogden has the device,” said Smith.“I hope that they’d allow us to borrow it for a short time so we can build a replica.” jwardell@davisclipper.com
Harmons’ Station Park Store in Farmington Kicks off Holiday With Independence Weekend Block Party, Saturday July 2 Fireworks, Barbecue, Booths and Games For more information contact the nearest Harmons Grocery Store director or visit www.harmonsgrocery.com.
BOUNTIFUL — We all have a story to tell, and the Utah Association of Personal Historians (Utah APH) wants to hear it. The group is currently seeking meaningful personal stories from the community on the theme of “Seeking Freedom and Dignity.” The stories, which need to be 900 words long, will be considered for possible publication in an anthology. Utah APH members, however, emphasize that getting the stories written down is the most important thing. “It’s kind of a starting point,” said Linda Tucker, a member of the group.“That one story of yours you want to make sure your posterity has.” There are a variety of possible story categories, including Refugee and International, Military and Government, Community, Family Relations, Education,Workplace, Environment, Health and Wellness, and Other. Stories must be from Utah residents only, be a true personal experience
WRITING PERSONAL HISTORY stories can make sure they’re passed on. Courtesy photo based on the theme, be appropriate with general audiences, and use no identifying personal names (first names are fine, but not names that the average person reading it would be able to figure out who the person is). Stories which are submitted online to utahaph.blogspot.com by August 1 may be among the 80-100 chosen for publication in the “One World, Many Stories” anthology.
One copy of the anthology will be given to each Utah library, and copies will also be available for publication. “We’re just very passionate about capturing people’s stories and making sure they live on,” said Tucker.“It’s amazing to think what those stories can maybe do.” For those who want to write down a personal story but don’t know where to start, the Utah APH is offering workshops in the
downstairs classroom of the South Branch Library.The workshops, which will be held July 13 and July 20 at 2 p.m., offer some tips on making your life stories easier to write. Participation in the workshops, however, is in no way a requirement for taking part in the story project. “We don’t want people to feel they have to attend these,” said Tucker.“It’s just help if people want it.”
A community event to Celebrate the lives of cancer survivors, Remember the lives of those we have lost to cancer, and Fight Back! Together, we will eliminate cancer. Friday 5:30 pm • Survivor Reception 6:30 pm • Opening Ceremony 10:00 pm • Luminary Ceremony Saturday 7:00 am • Breakfast by Lion’s Club
Silent A uction fo r an autogra phed Sa lt Lake REAL Je rsey & Enter tain ment for the Whole F amily!
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