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Pinedale Online > News > May 2007 > Living History Days 2007

Beaver Trap. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
Beaver Trap
"Teton" Todd Glover shows how to set a trap without getting your finger caught.

Snow Glasses. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
Snow Glasses
Kevin Nettleton shows his foldable pair of glasses used by mountain men to prevent snow blindness.

Sign Language. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
Sign Language
Mike "Silver Hawk" Powell demonstrates the sign for "see".
Living History Days 2007
At the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale
by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online!
May 18, 2007

Here in the Green River Valley, 175 years ago, Mountain Men lived year round trapping beaver in the cold winter months, and partying hard at the summer rendezvous when the supplies wagons showed up. With grizzly bear, hostile Indians, and Mother Nature, they risked injury and their lives every day. It was a tough life, and they were a thousand miles from civilization.

Yah, but... could they entertain 782 fourth graders in three days? That was the challenge for seven modern day mountain men at the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale this past week.

For the 7th year, the Museum partnered with members of the American Mountain Men (AMM) organization to put on this unique learning experience for kids. It is primarily attended by 4th graders to complement their local history class. The program is very popular with the kids and each year more and more schools attend. This year, 782 students came from Pinedale, Big Piney, Jackson, Farson, Rock Springs and Kemmerer.

The American Mountain Men organization is dedicated to learning and teaching about the day to day lives of the original mountain men who trapped in the area in the 1820s and 1830s. This year seven AMM members came from Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.

Mike Powell from Newdale, Idaho, taught the kids Indian sign language. Roy Hansen, from Utah, talked about living in an Indian tipi. Richard Ashburn, from Jackson Hole, demonstrated fire making and explained guns used by the mountain men. Jim Hardee, from Quincy, California, and Todd Glover, from Salt Lake City, Utah, demonstrated how beaver was trapped and showed students a variety of animal skins. Rick Williams, from Salt Lake City, showed and explained trade items used by the mountain men to trade for furs with the Indians. Kevin Nettleton explained the clothes worn by the mountain men.

The programs were free to the students and public due to generous funding from Sublette County Board of Cooperating Education Services (BOCES). If you missed the demonstration, the AMM guys will be back in Pinedale during Green River Rendezvous Days, July 12-15, 2007.



Related Links
  • www.MuseumoftheMountainMan.com - Museum of the Mountain Man
  • The American Mountain Men
  • American Mountain Men - More Information
  • Mountain Men and the Fur Trade

  • Trade Goods. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Trade Goods
    Rick Williams shows red vermillion that was a favorite trade item from China. The Indians used the vermillion for paint.

    Making Fire. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Making Fire
    Richard Ashburn demonstrates how to make fire with flint, steel and charcoal cloth.

    Indian Tipi. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Indian Tipi
    Roy "Crazy Cyot" Hansen tells stories in his tipi, with a new record 82 kids sitting inside.

    Deer Skins. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Deer Skins
    Jim Hardee uses deer skins to show the thickness difference between winter and summer fur.

    Beaver Hat. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Beaver Hat
    "Teton" Todd Glover shows a typical beaver hat made of beaver felt compared to beaver skins when they are trapped.

    Class Bell. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Class Bell
    Mike Powell blows a horn to indicate it is time to rotate to the next demonstration.

    Flintlock Gun. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Flintlock Gun
    Richard Ashburn shows how to load a flintlock gun.

    Tipi Rules. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Tipi Rules
    Crazy Cyot explains the rules before everyone enters the tipi.

    Fire Starter. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Fire Starter
    Rick Williams shows that a fire glass can generate heat from the sun to start a fire.

    Capote . Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Capote
    Kevin Nettleton shows a warm winter coat, called a capote, made from a point blanket.

    Hugh Glass Story. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Hugh Glass Story
    Jim Hardee tells the story of Hugh Glass, left for dead by a couple friends, but survived by dragging himself 200 miles.

    Camp Supplies. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Pinedale Online.
    Camp Supplies
    Beaver traps, canteen and cup hanging from a diamond tent.
    Pinedale Online > News > May 2007 > Living History Days 2007

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