American West Heritage Center — Attraction in Wellsville

It all started weeks before we arrived at this facility for our son’s wedding. During the booking we were told that if we arrived before 10:00 am we would be allowed to bring our 42’ fifth wheel in the front entrance. Well, the 26th of July we showed up at the facility between 09:15 and 09:30. We were told at that time that we had to use the rear entrance, my wife specifically asked if it was suitable for our 42’ fifth wheel, they said it was a great road. We at that time drove our truck and Fifth wheel to the Rendezvous rear entrance, right away I noticed there was no way I was going to be able to make the turn the direction I was going. I had to take my 42’ Fifth wheel into an unknown neighborhood to turn it around so I could access the turn from the other direction. Once on the access road, we had to drag our rv through several low hanging trees scraping our trailer and breaking the antenna off the roof. They had left a JLG man lift partially in the road that I couldn’t get my rv around, the facility was called and they sent out an employee named Kora who had no idea how to move it, well, I did know how to move it and since they left the key in it I decided I would take care of the issue and moved it forward about 6-8’. There were some heated words exchanged with a couple members of the staff so they ran to the director Nick Bowen and he came out to have words with us, he found my wife first and was very demeaning toward her saying several times and pointing “go get your husband “. Of course he calmed down when I came out, he said they couldn’t have people moving their equipment, and we told him that rear entrance was unacceptable for a 42’ fifth wheel and Nick Bowen assured us we would be able to go out the front entrance that night when the wedding was over. Everything went pretty well, they were a bit of a joke telling us that the bathrooms couldn’t be used for people to get ready for the wedding, having to supervise while we stacked chairs and tables, couldn’t even fill a bucket of water without someone supervising…. At the end of the night we were told by staff member Kris that we did an awesome job, my wife asked again about having access to the front entrance, she said that “they said you got in through the rear entrance, you can go out the rear entrance “. My wife expressed her concerns but they said nope, that’s how you’re getting out. So, now I’m in a dark field that I’m not familiar with after a long day of wedding stuff. I was going slow, but couldn’t see my Rv behind me because it was so dark. Well on one of the tightest curves I tried to keep as wide as I could as I didn’t know that part of the alfalfa field had any risers, holes, ditches, or other hazards. My Rv ended up going into a ravine on the passenger side and stopping my forward motion instantly. Upon inspection it was found that the rear jack had been completely destroyed, the corner trim had been ripped off, and the aluminum skirting had been bent. My wife called our daughter and she got a hold of the staff and informed them, what had happened. Staff member Reagan and one other member came out on a side by side and was very apologetic and said that the facility was very sorry and wanted to take care of it, in the mean time my daughter was coming out with one of the farm hands in another side by side. He was quizzing my daughter asking how much I had to drink and questioned my level of competence. I have owned this rv for over 8 years and have NEVER had any issues with navigation of the unit. I was told by Reagan that they would be calling me on Monday the 29th to discuss the issue, Monday came and went and nothing. I sent them an email detailing the damage and no response, sent them an instant message and again absolutely no response. Nick Bowen and his crew has to be the most inept management I have ever seen. Make sure you get EVERYTHING in writing if you plan on booking...

Very disappointed in the communication amongst staff. We were told we would able to access the venue through the front gate, as long as we arrived between 9-10 am. We arrived at 9:15 am to prepare for our son’s wedding. We were then told we would need to access the venue through the “back entrance”. I informed the staff at the front desk we have a 42 foot RV, And asked that the road was appropriate for our situation. I was assured the road was “great! It had just been redone!” Well, in fact, the road is not as appropriate for a vehicle that size. The turns are sharp and tight with trees crossing the road. After a very stressful arrival to the property, we informed the staff it was not appropriate. It was stressful and there were heated words. I apologized to Reagan and Kora and they accepted my apology. Nick, the director, informed us we would be allowed to exit at the end of the night through the front gate, as originally planned. At 10 pm, after we had cleaned and removed our belongings, we were told to exit the way we came. We again stated we were told we could leave through the front. Nope! Groundskeeper told staff he was not moving a water line for us, and we would need to leave the way we came. My husband and I left t through the back, through dark and unfamiliar terrain. We knew there were T posts in several places that would not allow our trailer to make turns, so we went slow and did the best we could. On the sharpest inside turn, blocked by trees with a road that had been washed out from rain, our RV came to a sudden stop, as the trailer slid off the road. 2 of the 3 axels were not on the ground. With no help and in the dark, my husband was forced to drag the trailer back on the road. Our daughter, in another vehicle leaving the main parking lot, contacted staff for assistance for us. Reagan arrived and apologized, taking our name and number to give to Nick, the director, stating he would call us in Monday to “take care of the situation”. We have sent emails, sent messages, even left reviews with NO COMMENT from American West Heritage Center. Very disappointed in lack of ethical behavior, miscommunication amongst staff, and unprofessional behavior. This review, as my husband’s, will go without comment……. That...

My family loves this place. It is working, historic farm that runs with 1917 technology. It's not Disneyland, so set your expectations accordingly. It has real period buildings/stations that demonstrate--and allow you to participate in--life as it was on the frontier in 1917: barns, pony rides, farm equipment, blacksmiths shop, gold panning operation (find a piece of gold and take it to the Mercantile Store to trade for an old-time candy stick), train ride, horses, pigs, goats, chickens, guinea hens (so big and loud!), peacocks. Learn to throw tomahawk, live in a teepee, write with a quill pen, smoke meat in a smoke house, do laundry in a wash tub with a wringer, and play pioneer games. All the buildings/stations staffed by friendly teens and adults who teach about the period and show you. Sometimes the family house will have warm gingersnap cookies just out of the cast-iron, wood-burning stove/oven.

Seasonally the farm has wonderful special occasions: baby animal day in the spring where you get to pet the babies; apple days and corn maze in the fall. Concerts and dances, other programs, etc.

For less than the cost of a movie ticket, you get much more than any movie. Quote from 9 YO daughter today: "I love this place, because they don't just show you the stuff that pioneers used, they let you do it yourself." Our Grammie gets the Grandparent pass every year, and takes us a couple of times a year. This year, Grammie is gone for the summer, and the kids still begged to go.

The farm also has a large, very clean and nice pavillion with picnic tables and stone BBQs you can rent for family reunions, concerts, dances. It's all very clean and nice. Friendly to children and babies. We love the train ride and wagon rides.

Again, it's not Disneyland, so manage the expectations.

HINTS: Wear sunscreen. There are fountains to drink from, so you're OK if you forget water bottles. Definitely take the walk along the river, under the cover of thick willow trees. It's magical and a full 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the place. Wear comfortable shoes. Everything is pretty close, but you still do a bit of walking. The shops have fun and inexpensive...