Lt. Gov. Brad Little, Preston School District Superintendent Barbara Taylor, Idaho State Historical Society Trustee W. James "Jim" Johnson and Brent Atkinson of the Franklin Pioneer Association spoke before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Franklin, Idaho's first permanent town, was founded in 1860 by settlers sent by Brigham Young from Salt Lake City northward to the Bear River Valley and into Cache Valley.
The Idaho State Historical Society, the Franklin Pioneer Association and the city of Franklin celebrated the 150th anniversary of the town during the annual celebration with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening of a new interpretive exhibit and the completion of a nearly decade long, $500,000 restoration. The exhibit is located in the historic Lorenzo Hill Hatch House, recently refurbished to highlight local and regional history.
Sister Taylor is the gospel doctrine teacher in the Preston 1st Ward.
She said her mother, who taught Idaho history and English, instilled upon her the importance of knowing about Idaho.
"The people who settled this area were good, hard-working people who wanted the best for their families," Sister Taylor said.
Several descendants of the Hatch and Doney families were on hand to introduce themselves and cut the ribbons opening the homes filled with displays and historic information about the early pioneers.
The homes quickly filled with people, eager to see the displays and artifacts.
The Hatch House, built in 1872, is one of four early pioneer buildings in Franklin owned by the Idaho State Historical Society and managed in partnership with the Franklin Idaho Pioneer Association.
Lorenzo Hill Hatch was the second Mormon bishop of Franklin and the president of the Franklin Cooperative for many years.
The Doney home, which has been moved from its original location, is believed to be the second-oldest stone and mortar home in the state of Idaho. John Doney built the home in 1864, and it is an excellent example of a pioneer rock house.
The opening concludes a major effort funded by the Idaho Transportation Department and ISHS to complete preservation work and create the historical interpretation.
