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Smithfield Historical Society addresses exposed artifacts and Douglass Mercantile renovation
Summary
The Historical Society apologized for outdoor storage damage to donated artifacts and reported progress on the Douglass Mercantile Building renovation; staff and volunteers will collaborate on artifact stabilization and long-term museum planning ahead of Health Days.
Jeff Gittins, president of the Smithfield Historical Society, apologized to the council and to donor David Forrester for a large family grain cleaner that has been exposed to the elements and deteriorated over about 20 years. Gittins said the item is too large for the current indoor space but is covered and that he will work with Public Works to reposition it so Forrester can repair it.
Gittins told the council that museum subcontractors are actively working on the Douglass Mercantile Building renovation and the society hopes to open the museum in time for Health Days. He said the society cataloged and numbered its artifacts and has begun exhibits, including one on "Smithfield Yellow Brick Homes," and noted board members, planning commission members and councilmembers recently attended training with the Utah State Historic Preservation Office on federal tax credits for preservation.
City Manager Justin Lewis acknowledged limited indoor display and storage capacity and emphasized the need to determine long-term use of an old log cabin at Heritage Park; Rudie and Lewis asked the Historical Society to provide a cost estimate for stabilizing the cabin. Councilmember John Engler invited the Historical Society to prepare a long-term plan for Council review. Gittins agreed and confirmed liaison arrangements with Councilmember Todd Orme.
The council and Historical Society discussed naming conventions for the museum (Gittins suggested formally identifying it as the "Smithfield City History Museum"), artifact storage constraints and the potential to improve second-floor space to increase display capacity. Gittins said he would coordinate with public works staff (including Josh Wright) and prepare estimates for cabin stabilization.
The council did not take formal action on the museum update; Gittins’s commitments and the scheduled opening timeline were presented as the next steps.
