Explore the rich history upon which this community was built, from pioneers and gritty miners, to ghosts, and the eventual transition to glamourous mountain destination! Here are some opportunities to uncover the colorful stories of how we got here and how things used to be.

The Story of Snow Sports

Discover the fascinating history of snow sports at the Alf Engen Ski Museum and integrated George Eccles 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. Located at Utah Olympic Park, the museums offer more than two dozen interactive exhibits, with displays that showcase the glory of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games. While there, enjoy a guided tour of the Olympic Park to see the world’s highest altitude ski jumps and one of the world’s fastest bobsled, luge and skeleton tracks. Lastly, don’t miss

If You Dare: While at the Utah Olympic Park, take a ride on the Olympic bobsled track. A bobsled pilot will take 3 passengers down the track in a modified bobsled to experience the thrill of pulling up to four G’s while flying through15 turns at speeds of up to 80 mph. Or for a thrill that’s a bit tamer, try the virtual sport simulator and Take Flight ski jump experience inside the Alf Engen Ski Museum. 

Heritage of the Pioneers

Take a trip back to simpler times when hardy pioneers settled in Summit County. The Summit County History Museum in Coalville preserves their legacy of hard work and honesty with docent-guided tours of the Museum and the Summit County Courthouse.

Insider Tip: Download a copy of the Summit County Historic Driving Tour map to explore the rich history of the county from historic structures, to striking geologic formations, to the route of the Pony Express.

History on the Mountain         

The discovery of silver ore in 1868 spurred a silver boom and the rapid development of Park City. Learn about the mining history of the area with Park City Mountain Resort’s free Guided History Tour offered daily at 10am and 1pm (for intermediate skiers/riders) or reserve a guided Historic Snowshoe Tour with White Pine Touring that takes you past historic mining sites, with remnants of old mine buildings and views of the entrances to closed mining tunnels (for all ability levels). The snowshoe tour concludes with full admission to Park City Museum.

Inside Scoop: In 1872 George Hearst, the father of William Randolph Hearst, bought the Ontario Mine in Park City with partners for $27,000. Although it was not profitable for the first three years and placed considerable financial strain on Hearst - causing him to sell his home and horses, dismiss his servants, and enroll his son, William, in public school - it eventually yielded dividends of over $12 million, and produced over $50 million in its lifetime.

From Silver Mines to Ski Destination

Explore Park City’s history - from its start as a silver mining town in the late 1800′s, to the international mountain destination that it is today – at Park City Museum, an interactive, family-friendly museum on historic Main Street. Locals’ favorite exhibits include the “Skier’s Subway”, and Park City’s original Territorial Jail, located in the basement of the museum. Children can complete a “Park City History Detectives” activity, which will guide them through the exhibits and provides the whole family with a way to dig deeper into Park City’s past.

Don’t Miss: America’s Road:  The Journey of Route 66, a history of and fascination with one of the world’s most famous highways. Nearly every aspect of 20th century United States history is reflected in the story of the people and events along the Mother Road that stretches 2,448 miles and crosses through eight states. This exhibit, featured through May 6, includes photographs, narrative, music, and objects from the Route 66 heyday and is appropriate for all ages.

Things that Go Bump in the Night

Join the Park City Ghost Tour on Main St. at 7pm nightly for a Park City history lesson with insights into the aspects that involve the paranormal.  Created by a pair of retired history teachers and a filmmaker who studied metaphysics, ESP and crop circles, the tour is based on 12 years of research, interviews and field recordings. Ranked #2 Haunted Tour in the US. 

Sneak Peek: One of the most famous ghosts in Park City is Edwina, the ghostly figure of an older woman who haunts the historic Egyptian Theatre on Main Street. The story passed down is that Edwina played the organ for the theater, and when it burned down in the great fire of 1898, the flames consumed her as well. Performers report seeing her in the dressing rooms on the lower level.

IF YOU DECIDE TO STAY

In addition to getting the guaranteed lowest rates, booking your lodging here is another way to help sustain art in our local community. A portion of your booking goes back to the Park City Summit County Arts Council.

EXPLORE ART ADVENTURES

IN PARK CITY & SUMMIT COUNTY

While we’re well-known as a mecca for mountain recreation, there are boundless opportunities to enjoy art, music, film, theater and other cultural events in Park City and Summit County.