by Jared Harding Wilson
If you are looking for a fantastic way to step back into the 19th century, look no further than the Provo Pioneer Village. While Pioneer Day celebrations come around every July, walking through this incredible historical site is a rewarding experience any day of the year. Whether you are a local living right here in Utah or a history enthusiast traveling through the state, it is an absolute must-see destination!
I happened to discover it mid-jog, popped in to explore, as I love history, and ended up staying a while to take in all the incredible artifacts—though I’ll definitely be bringing my wife back with me next time so she can experience it too. With cabins, trades, historic carriages, and schoolhouses galore, this definitive photo tour covers everything you need to see. Yet there is still more to see and do (like period clothing dress up) than just photographed here.
What You’ll Find at Provo Pioneer Village
1. Historic Homes & Domestic Life
The Loveless House: This charming light brick structure features original wooden benches outside, a shingle roof, and a cozy hearth room inside complete with a brick fireplace, red floral tablecloth, and a hutch full of period dishware.
The Pioneer Cabin: Features a classic cast-iron wood stove, exposed ceiling beams, an antique quilt-topped bed, and framed portraits capturing daily pioneer resilience.
2. Trades, Transportation, & Exhibits
The Blacksmith Shop: A fully equipped working black-powder era exhibit featuring a brick forge, an anvil mounted on a wooden stump, and authentic hanging tools of the trade.
The Doctor’s Carriage: A sleek, vintage black carriage outfitted with button-tufted leather seating, a foldable canopy hood, and traditional wooden spoked wheels. With a hidden handcart behind it.
The Woodshop: A white-washed log building lined with hanging saws, shelves of vintage tools, and an interactive hand-cranked drill you can try out yourself.
Wagons and Carts: Explore an authentic blue U.S. Army wagon, a classic green-and-white covered family wagon complete with storage barrels, and a working carriage house.
3. Community & Education
Geo. A. Smith Mercantile: Step inside a frontier general store featuring original wooden product shelving, a checkout counter, hanging apparel, and historic dry goods.
The Historic School House: Complete with rustic wooden student desks, a central wood stove, an upright piano, and a chalkboard displaying the rare Deseret alphabet phonetic writing system.
The Pioneer Bell: An iconic, heavy cast-iron bell resting under a wooden shelter outside the schoolhouse door.
Have you ever explored the Provo Pioneer Village, or what is your favorite historic spot to visit in Utah? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts!
Photos by Jared Harding Wilson. All rights reserved.
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What a fun place!
Super fun! 🤩 You should check it out someday, Jean!
If I should ever get to Utah it will definitely be on my list 🙂
👍😇
I always enjoy going into these kind of places. So much history
Right! Pure fun! 🤩 I love the stories! It’s almost like you can step into those stories as well! 🚶♂️
I would love to visit!
Lori, it was a lot of fun and a lot of history that I didn’t include in this post. Fun stories of the families that owned those actual cabins and wagons and tools and went to that school house! Fascinating!