November 2010

From its inception the plans always called for this to be much more than a museum. It would also be a true center of learning. The HolocaustMuseum was established to commemorate the tragic loss of life and potential and the LearningCenter was established to teach the lessons about the dangers of indifference that resonate from Holocaust history through today.

By exploring the roots of religious, ethnic and racial hatred we know that intolerance is passed on from generation to generation. If such intolerance can be learned, it is important to understand that human beings can be presented with information to broaden their perspective to counter previously held beliefs.

More than 95 million people enjoy bowling, in 90 countries spanning 6 continents! Bowling is one of the largest participatory sports in the world. The Museum collects, preserves, and displays the 5,000-year history that has led to this worldwide success. A key part of that story is the individual efforts of bowling's legends honored in our Halls of Fame. The InternationalBowlingMuseum is a 50,000 sq. ft., 3-story history museum -- fascinating for history buffs, and fun for young and old alike.

The construction of the fort was over-seen by Ira Hinckley. The fort provided safety, shelter, water and livestock feed for people traveling between the two communities. The fort is square and is constructed of black volcanic rock and limestone that was quarried from the nearby mountains. The walls are eighteen feet high and four feet thick. There are two very large wooden doors at the east and west side of the fort. Gun ports are also located throughout the fort for protection from possible attacks, however the tour guide stated that the fort was never attacked during the time of its use for more than 20 years.

Visitors can explore through the new and exciting displays throughout the museum. A planetarium and transportation center can be found on the museum grounds.

Celebrating the artistic, historical, and cultural contributions of jazz, the American Jazz Museum includes: rare photos, album covers, memorabilia, and personal items telling the stories of jazz legends Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Charlie Parker, more than 100 recordings of the greatest jazz ever played, studio 18th & Vine, where visitors experiment with harmony, melody, and rhythm, films and special collections honoring the impact of jazz on the American experience, and special exhibits highlighting Kansas City’s unique contributions to jazz.

The town established in 1892 was named after a gold bearing mountain just east of the town. Gold Hill became famous for its location of many minerals including silver, gold, copper, lead, tungsten, and arsenic. The town boomed and died several times in its existence. The first boom lasted for a decade until its richest mines were worked out and the town was nearly abandoned. During World War I arsenic was badly needed and Gold Hill was just the location to find the mineral.

Since its founding in 1990, the museum has moved twice and finally settled in its current and permanent location in 1997.

The new exhibit features multi-media computer stations, several film exhibits, hundreds of photographs, Field of 12 bronze sculptures and a growing collection of baseball artifacts. The museum raised over $2 million dollars to complete design and construction of this space. It has also welcomed several thousand visitors and dignitaries since, including Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, General (Ret.) Colin Powell, Jesse Jackson, Maya Angelou, Judith Jamison, Mike Dukakis, Walter Cronkite, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Barry Bonds, Tony Larussa, Isaac Hayes, Ossie Davis, Sinbad, and many, many others.

The Bear Lake Valley was first inhabited by Shoshoni Tribes, then fur trappers. Between 1825 & 1840, many mountain men and Native Americans met on the south end of the lake to swap goods and stories! These meetings became known as mountain man rendezvous. Don't miss the re-creation of the mountain man rendezvous held in mid-September on Rendezvous Beach.

The first permanent settler to the Bear Lake Valley was reportedly Thomas Pegleg Smith, a crusty, one-legged, ex-mountain man. During the 1840s, he set up a trading post to provide supplies to the emigrants on the famous Oregon Trail. Early Mormon pioneer leader Brigham Young sent the first group of permanent settlers to Bear Lake Valley in 1863. This group was led by Charles C. Rich. The County bears his name.

The car museum is located in the historic Biltmore Industries Weaving Shop, which once housed 40 working looms. The cars displayed are especially unique because they have been preserved in their mostly original and running condition.

Benjamin Franklin Allen, Iowa's first millionaire, built Terrace Hill as his family home in 1869 with the help of Fred Hubbel. Ultimately, Frank Allen built Terrace Hill as a monument to his wealth, and Fred Hubbell saved Terrace Hill from the fallout of Allen's bankruptcy. Today, Terrace Hill is the home of Iowa Governor Chet Culver, First Lady Mari Culver and the First Family.

This beautiful mansion is filled with art, antiques and architecture that remind visitors of Iowa’s rich history and heritage.