GRV Museum adds old Big Piney Library to building collection
by Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online!
September 4, 2009
The Green River Valley Museum recently moved another historic log structure to the museum grounds in Big Piney. The building dates at least back to the 1940s, but the exact sequence on the history is still being researched. It was the home of Jake Schmidt’s Saddle and Harness Shop in the 1940s. Later, it was used as the office of Surveyor Paul Scherbel when he first moved to Big Piney in the 1950s. Then it housed the Big Piney Library. It was located on the lot just north of Burney’s grocery store in Big Piney.
The outside doesn’t need much work, but there is a lot of restoration work needed on the inside. The building probably will be open with interpretive exhibits for the public in about a year.
"Maz's House and Mobile Home Movers from Lander moved it and did a stupendous, careful job," said Museum Director Carrie Anderson.
The Green River Valley Museum is a non-profit corporation located at 206 N Front Street (along US 189) in Big Piney. It is open June 15 through October 15th, Tuesday through Saturday from Noon until 4:00 PM. Admission is by donation.
Their exhibits include prehistoric Indian artifacts, Wardell Buffalo Trap display and large mural, restored homesteader cabins, restored log cabin Price-Sommers school house, restored Halfway Post Office, pioneer homesteading and townsite development, early ranching and brands, large branding mural, outdoor ranch equipment, early area oil and gas history, early family-operated coal mines, Big Piney Examiner printing presses, World War I & II display, Tie Hack display, Campfire Girls display, oral histories, and much more.
The Museum has two main buildings for artifact display and several exterior buildings that are open to the public. They also have a small gift shop which carries local area history books by local authors, museum t-shirts and other gift items.
Photos courtesy Green River Valley Museum
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