On the way to South Dakota, we stopped in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which is also known to members of my church as Winter Quarters. We were able to:
Witness a moment in the great "Mormon Migration." Explore a pioneer cabin, pull a handcart, and see what life was like for thousands of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who spent the winter of 1846 to 1847 in the encampment they called Winter Quarters. Visit the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery, where you can see the final resting place of more than 325 Saints who died at Winter Quarters from illness, hunger, and poor living conditions.
Don and the kids are related to Avard Fairbanks, the sculpture of several pieces at the cemetary and the main monument, The Tragedy at Winter Quarters.
This work depicts a pioneer father and mother standing over the open grave of their child. Three of the ancestors of Avard Fairbanks were buried at this cemetery. This monument stands as a memorial to those who experienced the tragedy at Winter Quarters.
Some of those pioneers who died were only days old.
Inside the Visitor's Center, they also had an example of the very first odometer that was created. The Saints wanted to be able to measure how far they were traveling and this was their ingenius solution.
The kids especially enjoyed playing with the wagon exhibit, which had blocks with names of different things that the families might have wanted to take with them on their journey. They had to pick and choose what they would take because all of the blocks wouldn't fit in the wagon.
And of course, they loved seeing Moroni. He's always a favorite.
We've had wonderful pioneer experiences this summer. I want to know what you put in your wagon.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great experience for your kids. We went to all the church sites as often as we could as we travelled around the country. I still remember them all, and it helps so much to be somewhere to learn about the history of it. I like the little wagons with the blocks:)
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