Pioneer Day, July 24th – very special to the DUP

Morgan County Company of Daughters of Utah Pioneers annually honors their ancestors by remembering those that sacrificed so much to come to Utah. We are part of International Society of Daughters of Utah Pioneers which has members all over the world. Our mission is to collect, preserve, and display artifacts belonging to Utah pioneers who settled the Territory of Deseret from 1847 to May 10, 1869, and those artifacts which represent the local community. This includes preserving the cabins and buildings constructed while settling our communities. Morgan is so privileged to have a museum as well as a cabin for this purpose.

We are so grateful to the many who contributed to the construction of the addition to the Museum building. It has allowed us to provide more access to visitors. Last fiscal year over 500 visited the Museum. Groups from Morgan School District, church groups, and many came from other communities and states. It gives us great pleasure to share our history with all who come.

The cabin was built in Peterson by Charles Shreeve Peterson about 1855 when he first came to the valley. In 1857 his son Charles R. Peterson was the first pioneer child born in Morgan County. It is a one room cabin with three doors. It had a wood burning stove for heat and cooking. Much later it was relocated to an area behind the Rock Church, and was moved to it's current location next to the Museum in 2007. Visit the cabin and imagine life as an early pioneer.

Each year one of our Camps makes a quilt. The proceeds from the sale of this quilt is used for maintaining the Museum and the cabin. This year the quilt was made copying the pattern of blocks made by May Thurston. Her mother is Matilda Peterson who came by wagon train in 1861 from Denmark with her parents. It is likely that May learned this pattern from her mother.

Our Company currently has six Camps located throughout the county and we welcome new members regularly. DUP is non-political and non-sectarian. Any woman over the age of eighteen and of good character is eligible for membership. Associate membership is available for women who do not have an direct-line ancestor who came to Utah or was born here before the completion of the railroad on May 10, 1869. Associates have full fellowship and can hold appointed offices. Please consider joining us. Contact any member or visit the Museum for an application. λ