Moab Happenings Archive
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MUSEUM HAPPENINGS - August 2022

National Park Service Rangers at the Museum
by Moab Museum Staff

 

Bates Wilson, chief advocate for Canyonlands National Park’s creation, earned him the title “Father of Canyonlands.”

This summer, the Moab Museum is hosting a series of interpretive programs with National Park Service (NPS) Rangers. These free programs will cover a wide range of topics spanning thousands of years of Moab area history, connecting the region’s storied past to the present day. Designed for both locals and visitors alike, these Ranger-led programs are intended to bring the region’s vibrant history to life, inspiring curiosity for visitors of all ages.

Rangers at the Museum programs began in July with two presentations from NPS Ranger Devon. Ranger Devon’s program, entitled Cowboy Poetry, traced the lives and explored the art of some cowboys from Moab’s past.

There are two presentations scheduled for August: August 13th at 3:30 p.m. — The community is invited to join NPS Ranger Ash on the Museum lawn for a program all about how and why people have historically left their marks on the landscape. Ranger Ash’s program will discuss historic rock inscriptions, petroglyphs, and pictographs, as well as stewardship efforts and ethics today. This program offers a rich supplement to a temporary exhibition currently on display through August, entitled Butch Cassidy was Here: Historic Inscriptions of the Colorado Plateau. Attendees are invited to follow the program with a walk through this temporary exhibit to dive deep into this history.

The Moab Museum gallery features a temporary exhibition called Butch Cassidy was Here: Historic Inscriptions of the Colorado Plateau this summer. (Photo courtesy of Moab Museum)

August 30th at 3:30 p.m. — NPS Ranger Robby will be presenting a program entitled Founding Fathers. This program will introduce attendees to some of the people who were instrumental in creating Canyonlands National Park. Visitors touring the National Parks will enjoy peeking into the backstory of Canyonlands’ founding, and Moabites will have a chance to explore an interesting facet of local history with lasting impacts on Moab today.

The Museum is excited to present these programs in collaboration with the National Park Service. These programs are free, open to the public, and registration is not required.

The Moab Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Butch Cassidy Was Here: Historic Inscriptions of the Colorado Plateau, is on exhibit through the end of August. For more information on Rangers at the Museum, and all upcoming

The Moab Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Butch Cassidy Was Here: Historic Inscriptions of the Colorado Plateau, opens on June 7th and will be on exhibit through the summer. For more information, please visit moabmuseum.org.

118 East Center Street, Moab, UT • 435-259-7985

Movie & Western Memorabilia Museum at Red Cliffs Lodge

Indiana Jones PosterRed Cliffs Lodge, on the banks of the mighty Colorado River, is home to the Moab Museum of Film & Western Heritage. The lodge is built on the old George White Ranch, a key location for nine of the big westerns including Rio Grande, Cheyenne Autumn, Ten Who Dared, The Commancheros, and Rio Conchos.

The late George White was founder of the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission, the longest ongoing film commission in the world.

In the museum one can learn more about film locations, how the sets are built, and how the filming process is managed on nature’s own sound stage. On display in the museum are production photographs, movie posters, autographed scripts, props from the many pictures filmed in the area, and displays about the western ranching heritage. For information, call Red Cliffs Lodge at 435-259-2002.

Rio Grande Through the magnificent landscapes of southeastern Utah, writers have been inspired and stories born here. Zane Grey, the famous western novelist, traveled through the area in 1912. His visit inspired him to write his book Riders of the Purple Sage. The book was made into a movie starring Ed Harris and Amy Madigan, and filmed on locations around Moab.

A partial list of stars that have made movies in Moab
John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Henry Fonda, Lee Marvin,
Rock Hudson, Jimmy Stewart, Richard Boone, Anthony Quinn,
Mickey Rooney, Shirley Temple, Kris Kristofferson, Billy Crystal,
Robert Duvall, Gene Hackman, Bill Murray, Jack Palance, Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Ted Danson, Tom Cruise, and many more.

 
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