Bluff Fort Historic Site — Attraction in Bluff

My family and I were staying in the area on vacation. We happened to see this place and decided to stop and check it out. The previous day we went on a kayak and hummer expedition (Wild Expeditions—which was AMAZING) into the area around the San Juan River and were curious to find out more about the history of the area. Upon arrival, my wife went in alone and was told by a friendly staff member that there was a short video followed by a guided tour with a volunteer. A self-guided audio tour was also available. However, after my family and I entered together (myself (a woman), my wife and our son) we were shown the video but not offered a guided tour. There were two tour guides available and only one other family outside so I don’t think that it was due to their being too busy. My family decided to watch the videos and venture out on our own.

The outdoor area contained many cabins and relics from the pioneers’ journey. The story that was told was of the pioneers journey and “settlement” of the area in Bluff Utah in the late 1800s. It was an interesting historical story of the history of this group of people. However, what I found surprisingly totally absent from the information was the fact that the Navajos were already living on this land beginning in the 1600-1700s and were present at the time that the pioneers “settled” the land. According to the video, the land was uninhabited. There was no acknowledgement of the tribes that were already established and living there when the pioneers arrived and I feel this is a huge disrespect to the Native American community as a whole. The pioneers entered land that was not theirs and took away from tribes already living there without giving any credit to them and their contributions and right to that land. There was a teepee and adobe type structure outside with no sign or information regarding what relation the Native Americans had to the story that was being told.

Also, the gift shop was full of items that looked to be traditionally Native American, but again no information or credit was given to the Native American tribes in the area at that time. I understand that the museum is intended to tell the story of the pioneers that entered the Bluff area at this time, but I feel to leave out the Native American story of the tribes already living there is an intentional and egregious insult. The use of the term “Indians” in signage and items in the gift shop as opposed to the largely more respectful term of Native Americans was disrespectful. I am saddened to see that this type of whitewashed history is still being supported by some and sold to young people as truth. Be aware if you do go to this museum that you will see a very limited and narrow story of the settlement of Bluff Utah. I was disappointed and saddened by...

Traveling to Bluff was a living lesson in history. To see what the Mormons accomplished and was documented therein was humbling and I am not a member of the LDS church. What transpired at Bluff and the journey to Bluff by its original settlers brought goose bumps to my body. It was truly a moving experience.

I cannot imagine how the path to the Colorado River was hacked out of solid rock with rudimentary tools of the time not to mention that once the river was reached rafts were built to ferry the dozens of wagons across. Such an accomplishment in this day and age would require years of planning and millions of dollars not to mention the use of heavy equipment when these simple pioneers accomplished this with their bare hands and their belief in God in just six weeks. If you leave this place and your belief in God is not fortified then nothing on this Earth will do so.

In Bluff in the center of town there is a small store with a theater presentation of the arduous task and journey undertaken by the Mormons of the day. It is a bit of history that must not go unrecognized and credit must be given to these people and their church and beliefs. You will not walk away from this experience without being changed.

This day and age is replete with religions that talk about God but murder thousands of innocents day in and day out. These early Mormons went about their business and their belief in God and harmed no one. This alone gives one pause.

Again I not a member of the LDS Church but in my travels through Utah I can personally attest to the fact that I have been helped by many Good Smartins of the Mormon faith when my car broke down or I needed help. They asked nothing but gave freely of their willingness to help...

I've been to a number of historic sites in Utah and Bluff Fort is the most outstanding. It's free admission and clean bathrooms. It's staffed by unpaid volunteers who take anywhere from 4 months to 1-year of their lives and spend it there preserving the recreated site of the old civilian fort created by the Hole in the Rock Pioneers. That's a labor of love. They have a kitchen with proprietary hand made desserts such as the outstanding lemon zuccini cookie. They also hand make the candy, my favorite is the English Toffee. The volunteers help create many of the gift shop items such as rolling pins, bread boards, hand carved utensils, wooden toys, quilts, purses, bags, toys, costumes, metal items forged on site, and much more. The replica Co-Op has the best gift shop ever. It's stocked with artwork, jewelry, pots, baskets, figurines made my local Native Americans and other local artists. The volunteers dress in costume to help visitors feel as if they've traveled back in time. They have a clever video presentation that introduces the story of the pioneers and the fort starting with a funny "talking wall". The fort is stocked with well preserved artifacts donated from descendants of the pioneers. The replica cabins were also built by the descendants. There are two original buildings that have been restored as far as possible. The tour is self guided and has audio in several languages. You have to spend minimum 2 hours to really immerse yourself in all there is to see. The most prominent feature there is the strong feeling of peace and it's carefully maintained by the kindness and hospitality of...