Peteetneet

Peteetneet Museum

The museum is housed in the former Peteetneet School building.  It is a beautiful structure, dedicated as a public school in 1901.  The yellow brick with ornate red sandstone trim provides a gorgeous centerpiece for the community.  It served as a public school from 1901 until 1988. Formost of its existence Peteetneet School served students in grades K-5, but in earlier years it also included 6th graders.   A few years after closure the building fell into disrepair and appeared to be on a path to demolition.  Fortunately, through the combined efforts of many and the establishment of an organization called the People Preserving Peteetneet, the building was refurbished, turning it into a community center, a venue for a variety of cultural events, and amuseum with displays and artifacts related to the growth of the Payson community.  Payson City is now its official owner and with the cooperation of the People Preserving Peteetneet and a host of volunteers Peteetneet museum proudly welcomes visitors.

Mission or purpose:  

Peteetneet Museum serves to help patrons understand more about the Payson community’s story.  Museum artifacts and displays provide understanding and appreciation for how this community has grown and developed.  Visitors who come from literally all over the world are provided with fascinating and useful information regarding those who came before and helped build this wonderful town.  Public tours are available Tuesday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm,

Rooms found in the museum:

Main Floor

1-MAIN HALLWAY

The main hallway has four separate stairways leading to the upstairs classrooms. Upper elementary grades were upstairs.  Younger students were on the main floor and kindergarten students were downstairs.  In early years the main hallway served as an auditorium as well.  Student would be seated on the four stairways and the speakers or presenters would address them from the main floor.  The kindergarten and original lunchroom were downstairs.

2-SCHOOL ROOM

The school room holds several exhibits. There is a classroom with actual blackboards.  This exhibit shows what classrooms looked like in the early years. 

Pioneer Artifacts Exhibit

Displayed in this section of the room are many tools use by the early pioneers and early and other interesting artifacts such as the early acid-filled glass bottles that were used as batteries in Payson’s first telephone office.

Tabernacle Exhibit

The LDS Nebo Stake Tabernacle was constructed in 1906 and stood where the Central Bank stands today.  This section of the room contains pictures and artifacts related to the tabernacle which was torn down in the early 1980’s.

Peteetneet Store

This part of the room contains items such as historical books for sale related to Payson history and the Peteetneet Museum.

3-WEST ENTRANCE LANDING

The Avard Fairbanks Collection

Several works of the renowned sculptor Avar Fairbanks are on display on the landing at the west entrance to the building, such as the buffalo which depicted the former mascot for Payson High School.  Mr. Fairbanks presented Payson High with the plaster cast.  Payson High changed the mascot to the lion in 1928.

4-HISTORICAL SOCIETY ROOM

The Payson Historical Society maintains this room.  Glass cases contain artifacts furnished by prominent Payson families.  The walls are adorned by many images and artifacts from Payson’s history.  Pictures of each Payson mayor from 1850 until the present hang on the top each wall.  Many other photographs and artifacts highlighting Payson history are on display around this room.

5-PETEETNEET ART GALLERY

This room contains displays of work by local artists scheduled by the Peteetneet Arts Council.  A wide variety of exhibits each year are scheduled by the arts council.  Patrons frequently comment on the significant number of talented artists reside in the Payson community.

6-VICTORIAN ROOM

Artifacts and pictures from the past provide a fascinating look at the past.  Sections of this room include a Study, a Kitchen, a Parlor, a Bedroom, a Sewing Room, a Music Room, a Child’s Room, and many pioneer artifacts displaying items used in the past.

 

Second Floor

7-FREEDOM ROOM

This collection includes many items that celebrate those who have given so much so we may enjoy freedom.  It includes patriotic artifacts, such as a large three-foot-high carved American eagle.

8-OLDROYD MUSIC ROOM-CLUB MEETING ROOM

This room displays many paintings from the museum’s permanent collection

9-DANIELS PHOTO ROOM

This room contains an exhibit of black and white photographs taken by local pioneer photographer Orson P. Daniels.

10-HISTORY OF WRITING AND COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

This exhibit contains items and artifacts depicting the history of writing from ancient times to the present.  It was donated to the museum by Austin Henry.

11-BRIDES ROOM AND RECEPTION LANDING

These two areas of the museum are utilized by wedding parties whenever a wedding is held in the museum.

Basement Level

12-HENRY HUBER BLACKSMITH SHOP

The Blacksmith Shop was donated by Paul Huber whose ancestors used most of the items included in this exhibit. This exhibit is a tribute to the pioneer blacksmiths who labored with metal to created many needed items.

13-LEE AND JEAN STAHELI WESTERN ROOM

This room highlights the western character of Payson. Early Payson residents were farmers, sheepmen, cattle ranchers, and horsemen.

14-FASHION ROOM

This room is filled with displays of many different types and styles of clothing from 1850 to modern times.  It includes dresses made locally and it also displays dresses worn by Doris Day, Sandrea Dee, and Shirley Temple.

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SUPPORT The activity that is the subject of this [type of publication] has been financed in part with Federal funds from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and administered by the State Historic Preservation Office of Utah. The contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior or the Utah State Historic Preservation Office, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior or the Utah State Historic Preservation Office.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT This program receives Federal financial assistance for identification and Information and Education ($20,000.00): The CLG will complete several public education activities such as historic walking tour brochure or app and information videos about the preservation of Peteetneet School. 1 Page 1 of 2 Federal Award Identification Number: P22AF01179 Sub-Recipient Name: Payson City Sub-Recipient DUNS #: 073120172 Federal Awarding Agency: National Park Service Pass-through Entity: UT SHPO CFDA #: 15.904 CFDA Title: Historic Preservation Fund protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability or age in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office for Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.