We got up on Aug. 2 and by 8:30 a.m. the Mitchells were headed for
Washington. Taylor was the only company we had! :( He had
expressed a desire to go to a Museum or somewhere that last day
so we wouldn't miss all the cousins too much. I had a thought that
Cove Fort would be fun. Little did we know it was Cove Fort Days!
This barn is a replica of the original barn and in the original location.
Taylor and Grandpa posed in the door of the barn.
Look at the April 2013 Ensign on page 42. The artist that
made all the pottery for the "Last Supper" made these pots.
The master Potter is putting the finishing touches on a cup.
The potter gave the pot to a little girl who promptly
offered it to Taylor because she had a pot from last year.
(We're going to have Sarah Shuler fire it and send it home with Scott in November! )
There were displays, demonstrations and replicas of many things from pioneer days.
This is the pot where the fat was rendering.
Taylor and Grandpa are in front of the old cowboy bunk house.
This is an outfit made of buckskin or deer hide. It was soooooo soft!
These pictures show details inside the bunkhouse.
This is a pioneer hay derrick.
Here are some of the huge vegetable gardens that
have always been an important part of Cove Fort.
Notice the garlic drying in the lower left corner and the field behind Taylor.
This is the old ice house. Ice was packed in sawdust in this building
during the winter and then used to keep things cool all summer long.
This is the blacksmith shop. The fence made a corral to contain smaller animals.
This was where an ox that needed shoes was put. It was
designed to keep the animal from falling down, struggling
or getting away while the feet were lifted and new shoes put on.
This man is a skilled blacksmith. He was demonstrating how
to make some of the things blacksmiths were called on to make.
This is the tool pioneers used to form wheels for their wagons.
Finally our tour took us inside the fort itself.
These quilts were all pieced and stitched by hand.
Thes "pioneer" ladies were demonstrating how to quilt.
Notice that one of the pioneers has a cell phone! :)
The port hole behind this quilt was designed to defend the fort with guns
if necessary. The only person ever shot at the fort was President Hinckley's
Dad when he was only 6 years old! His brother accidently shot him in the
knee with a pistol the boys found while their parents were away for the day.
There are twelve rooms inside the fort---six on the south and six on the north.
This table was in the boys' bedroom on the south. This dominoes game was
found on site and the pieces are made of raw hide.
These two pictures shows the wash room. Clothes, dishes and even bodies
were washed in this room, Taylor is in front of an old loom.
These pictures show the kitchen/dining room. Sister Hinckley always served
dinner on her fine china because she knew that it was something the weary
travelers would not have normally enjoyed. Most days she fixed meals for 30-
40 people with just the help of her children. At other times the fed as many as 80-100!
This is an old telegraph machine in the telegraph office.post office,
pony express and stage coach office. Both civic and religious
leaders sent messages by morse code through this office.
This office served as a deliver/pick-up place for the pony express and stage coach.
A United States flag always flew over the fort. The one in this picture had
only 35 stars just like the one that flew when the fort was operational.
This is actually a trundle bed. It is covered with a buffalo hide blanket.
These are replicas of the pony express saddle bags.
One rode over the saddle horn and the other behind the saddle.
This is a strong box like the stage coaches once carried.
The coat in the very corner is made of horse hair. The pioneers
didn't waste anything. When a horse was injured in an accident
and had to be put down, a coat was made from the hide.
Taylor and Grandpa between the big trees that were planted when the fort was built.
Taylor braved the stairs in his walking boots so he could get to the
fort look out. President Hinckley's dad used to stand where Taylor is
and watch for the stage coach and other visitors with spy glass.
The following rooms are on the north side of the fort.
This is a replica of a dress worn by President Hinckley's grandmother.
The designer used an actual photo. Sister Hinckley was only 4 foot 10 inches tall!
Her husband, Ira, was 6 foot 1 inch. This shot was taken in the master bedroom.
The family met in this room every night for scripture study, family prayer
and to receive their assignments for the following day.
The portrait on the wall is of President Hinckley's grandfather and grandmother.
The little rocking chair is one of the very few pieces of original furniture.
President Hinckley inherited it and when he came to dedicate the fort,
he brought it back and said, "This is where it belongs."
These pictures were taken in the girls' bedroom.
This is the guest room where dignities and other guests stayed. Several
early prophets and apostles stayed here while traveling from S.L.C. to St. George.
This dresser was also in the guest room. It was dyed with ox blood. (Yuck!)
Texture was added using feathers and then the color was set using butter milk.
The wheel in the back was used to measure yarn after it was spun. It was
called a weasel. When the right number of revolutions had been completed
a button popped. That's how we got the saying, "Pop goes the weasel."
called a weasel. When the right number of revolutions had been completed
a button popped. That's how we got the saying, "Pop goes the weasel."
Grandpa is showing Taylor a fancy buggy that might have
been used when a young man wanted to date a young woman.
Era artists had display tents. The big picture is a
painting of how Cove Fort would have looked long ago.
This lady was actually weaving rugs on a pioneer loom.
Taylor showed such interest that....
Taylor showed such interest that....
she moved over and let him try.
These pictures show Taylor actually weaving part of a rug!
A gentleman and his wife were bee keepers.
The word, "deseret" means honeybee.
Here are some of his bees on display.
Here is Taylor spinning one of the tops on display.
This lady can still sew like the pioneer women.
This special little tool was like having an extra hand when sewing. The tool
was shaped like a bird. She said most pioneer seamstresses had one.
This man had a home-made dancing puppet.
Taylor his helping him make it dance.
This man also had a replica of the black powder guns used at Cove Fort.
This shows some of the potions, medicines, salves and ointments used by pioneers.
About this time we were getting pretty hungry, so we followed our noses and....
this sign!
.
There were free wagon, stage coach and buggy rides!
I took this picture especially for Aunt Bethany who arrived in Georgia on this very day.
Taylor wanted to ride in the stage coach, but the driver
stopped to give the horses a rest just when we got there. :(
These mules pulled the covered wagon Taylor and Grandpa rode instead.
Grandpa is helping Taylor up into the wagon.
They are on board and ready to ride!
Off they go!
After the short ride, they waited in line to unload and load again.
Taylor is ready to get off the wagon...
onto the box and then to the ground.
While they were riding in the wagon, Grandma tended the
wheelchair & took pictures of some of the gorgeous flowers & fruit.
The hollyhocks were unbelievable.
The fruit trees were loaded!
They had some of the biggest sunflowers we'd ever seen.
Taylor and Grandpa lead the way to watch the movie about Cove Fort.
One final picture to remember our awesome "Tay" day at Cove Fort!
