Media Kit

Events

If you are looking for a listing of our events, please see our Calendar.

Photos

To find photos of the American West Heritage Center and its events, try these links:

1. A lovely but small gallery of some of our best photos
2. General photos from 2007
3. General photos from 2008
4. Baby Animal Days photos from 2007
5. Baby Animal Days photos from 2008

Please contact us for photo release information concerning individual photos above.

History of the American West Heritage Center

The American West Heritage Center has grown out of the nationally recognized eight-day Festival of the American West and a 1917-era living historical farm into a year-round, multi-venue, educational, living history forum. Today, the AWHC is a national treasure.

The American West Heritage Center traces its roots back to 1972, when Utah State University (USU) began the Festival on campus to celebrate the spirit of the Old West by creating a western frontier settlement with folk life and historical presentations. At that time Ronald V. Jensen approached Utah State University, his alma mater, with the idea of developing an authentic living historical history farm and agriculture museum so that visitors could better understand the roots of modern farming. USU helped Jensen gather agricultural artifacts and the museum opened in 1980. The farm, complete with a log and frame house, operates as a genuine 1917 family farm with farm implements from that period, including workhorses and other animals.

During the mid 1990s, USU helped form the American West Heritage Foundation, a community-based 501(c)(3) organization, to manage and develop the Festival, the Jensen Living Historic Farm and the Man and His Bread Museum. The Foundation also helped the Center become a northern utah tourism destination based on educating visitors about the history of the American West. The Foundation developed a master plan that consolidated and expanded the farm along with the museum and Festival programs into what is now The American West Heritage Center.

The infrastructure for the next phase of the AWHC’s expansion was put in place beginning in 1997 at a cost of approximately $3 million. This provided for the addition of guest services to meet the needs of the more than 80,000 visitors who visit the AWHC annually and participate in the educational and entertaining programs that make up the American West Heritage Center.

In the late 1990s, the Utah State Legislature and the Cache County Council provided funds to construct a 7,000-square foot Northern Utah Welcome Center as an anchor to Cache Valley and the American West Heritage Center. The AWHC Welcome Center was the first project initiated in cooperation with the Utah Travel Council, and was used as an example of leveraging State dollars with a nonprofit to manage a Utah tourism Welcome Center. The Welcome Center opened in June 2000.

Also in 2000, the Martin Ford Oxen Barn was conceptualized, designed and funded by one of Ford’s grandsons. Using “mortise and tenon” construction, the building was raised by volunteers, staff, Ford’s grandson and oxen, recreating the quality craftsmanship of 200 years ago. At the Oxen Barn, the vital role oxen had in the life and westward travels of the pioneers is depicted.

The Northwest Band of the Shoshone Nation joins the AWHC as a partner, and adds an important dimension to the Heritage Center’s authentic interpretation of the West as they help the AWHC preserve the heritage of the Shoshone Indians history.

Hallmarks of the American West Heritage Center

- Received Travelocity’s “Local Secrets, Big Find” award.

- The Heritage Center’s education programs have a significant impact on school children during visits, as they learn about animals, the life ways and heritage of previous inhabitants of this land, the origins of the food and clothing they have today and how to care for the environment.

- Recipient of the Bridgerland PATHS Grant. The American West Heritage Center, in partnership with two local school districts and Utah State University, received a three-year, $1 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to create a program for a professional academy to train teachers in developing innovative and creative teaching methods in American History.

Here’s what visitor’s have to say about The American West Heritage Center:

Excellent! We both thoroughly enjoyed our time here.
Very informative guides in areas.
Jeremy & Ilene Crisp, Crowthorne, England

A wonderful effort in a very wonderful area.
Herm & Dorothy Katz, Logan, Utah

Absolutely a ‘must-see’ for all ages!
Gil & Margaret Merrill, Fort Collins, CO

A lot has changed since I came as a child.
I won’t wait as long to come again!
Marie & Logan Nielsen, Riverside, CA

Outstanding! It takes me back to my childhood,
and shows my grandparents time as well.
Duane Millard, Salt Lake City

The wagon ride was fabulous!
Debbie Thompson, Roy, UT

What a wonderful find!
Everyone was knowledgeable and so friendly!
Nancy Kavanaugh, Connecticut

There should always be a place in the American West where the authentic story of the diverse cultures involved in its development is preserved, interpreted and experienced. With the beauty of the Wellsville Mountains as a backdrop, the American West Heritage Center is that place.
Senator Orrin G. and Elaine Hatch