For 45 years, the Midvale Museum has been a custodian of the past, telling the story of Midvale and its residents. As the city evolved from a mining town into today’s thriving urban area, caretakers record Midvale’s history while preserving its legacy for future generations. 

More than a century’s worth of displays, documents, photos and artifacts tell the story of Midvale’s notable places like Vincent Drug, the Bingham Smelter, local schools and Historic Main Street. 

Bill Miller has served as the museum’s director for five years but has worked with the Midvale Museum for 20 years. Robert Hale is a former Midvale mayor (2018-22) who now works as assistant museum director. They are both dedicated to curating the museum by creating exhibits, managing collections and fostering public engagement. 

“If you don’t understand your past, how do you know where you are now? How did you get here? Why is it important that we are the way we are?” Hale asked. “As you wander around here, you’ll look at 100 years’ worth of replicas or actual documents and things from another era.”

The museum’s archives include a violin that crossed the plains with the pioneers, a phone switchboard, an antique typewriter, a 1938 Crosley radio, a 117-year-old piano and a rotary telephone. When students visit the museum, Miller encourages them to play with the equipment to get a sense of what life was like 100 years ago. 

The Don Lind exhibit is popular with museum visitors. Lind was a NASA scientist and astronaut who grew up in Midvale, attended Midvale Elementary School and graduated from Jordan High School. His display features photos, magazine articles and memorabilia that highlight his success.

Miller’s favorite artifact is a Marine uniform that was presented to John “Jimmy” Martinez’s family after he was killed in Vietnam. The Midvale resident and two of his friends served in Vietnam in 1967, dying within days of each other. Martinez’s sister contacted Miller to see if he would pick up the uniform and place it in the museum.

“I get kind of emotional,” Miller said. “When we picked up that uniform, Jimmy was there. I could go into more detail about that uniform. We’ve had some spiritual experiences with that uniform. Jimmy’s been here in the museum.”

For Hale, his favorite collection in the museum is the history of Fort Union. He helped curate the display which includes a sketch of Old Fort Union in 1854 and a history of the people who lived in the area, including his family members. In fact, the interior of Hale’s home was part of the original fort. 

People often contact Miller to see if the museum will accept family artifacts and documents. He recently received a trio of cameras from the early 1900s. The Midvale Historical Society and Museum Board will vote to decide if the items get added to the museum’s display. 

While Hale doesn’t see a decline in interest in the museum, he does see a lack of volunteers willing to donate time to the cause. Volunteers help lead tours, catalog and sort items, provide information to visitors and encourage residents to learn more about the Midvale community.

Located at 350 W. 7615 South, the Midvale Museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 801-567-7285.

“I came down to volunteer at the Midvale Museum, and it’s been 20 years ago now,” Miller said. “It just became home to me.” λ