Iron Mission State Park Museum interprets aspects of Iron County history that relate to the ecclesiastical story of the Iron Mission, and related horse-drawn transportation. Period focus is from the first Mormon settlements (1850's) through the 1920's, marking the period just prior to the establishment of modern mining efforts and the use of mechanically-powered transportation in Iron County.

Description:
Facilities at IMSP include a main exhibit hall, library, research and work rooms, staff offices, a contemporary pioneer crafts demonstration area, gift shop, three cabins, a wagon storage barn, a sheep shearing shed, the historic Hunter Home, a Paiute Native Camp, and a maintenance/restoration shop. The Park also hosts various educational programs including public lectures, living history demonstrations, curation workshops, traveling exhibits, and volunteer programs.

The Museum is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Hours from September to May are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the summer months. The north wing exhibit hall receives new exhibits every 6-8 weeks. The admission fee is $3.00 per person, or $6.00 per carload up to 8 persons.

History:
Lack of iron being a major concern to newly arrived pioneers, Mormon leader Brigham Young called for volunteers to establish an iron works in southwestern Utah. A site near Coal Creek (Cedar City) was selected in November 1851 for the iron works. Completed in 1852, the iron foundry operated until 1858 when it was closed due to financial, environmental and technological difficulties. The Sons of the Utah Pioneers initiated plans for a museum in 1957. Five years later the Iron County Historical Society contributed to the effort, incorporating the Gronway Parry horse-drawn vehicle collection into the plans. The Chamber of Commerce organized the Iron Mission Park Commission in 1966, which purchased the Gronway Parry wagon collection in 1970. This commission established plans for a museum that was constructed and opened to the public in 1973. In 1980, a new carriage museum was constructed. Current facilities at IMSP include a main exhibit hall, library, research and workrooms, staff offices, a contemporary pioneer crafts demonstration area, gift shop, three historic cabins, a 1920’s sheep shearing shed, an 1860’s Cedar City home, a wagon storage barn, and a maintenance/restoration shop. The Park also hosts various educational programs including public lectures, living history demonstrations, curation workshops, temporary special exhibits, and volunteer programs.

Contact people:

Todd Prince, Superintendent, (phone), (email) Ryan Paul, Museum Curator, (phone)

Office fax number: (435) 865-6830

Address:

635 North Main Cedar City, UT 84721 (See a map)

Web Site: http://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/iron-mission/

Directions:

Iron Mission is located on the west side of Main Street, between the cemetery to the north and the Iron County Visitor's Center to the south.