TOUR GUIDE SCRIPT
9:00 & 10:30 AM
TOURS assemble on plaza by Social Hall.
TOUR GUIDE should greet patrons and introduce him/herself to group.
Patrons should receive stickers to indicate they have paid at the small office window on the outside of the Social Hall. Tour guide should direct people who come late to the ticket window and invite them to join the group. Be sure that you start the tour on time, Late comers will need to catch up with group as you progress. As you meet guests, select an outgoing person who would be a fun "defendant" at the court trial. Write this person’s name on a slip of paper to place on the Judge’s desk when you arrive at the Court House.
9:05 & 10:35 AM
TOUR GUIDE introduces Jacob Hamblin in the plaza outside of the Social Hall.
"We have with us today Jacob Hamblin from his home in Santa Clara. Jacob is a local cattleman, rancher, outdoorsman, and a friend to the Indians"
He will have 12 minutes. Please give actors a two-minute warning by holding up two fingers when only two minutes remain for their allotted time schedule at each location. It is important to keep within the time frame.
9:17 & 10:47 AM
TOUR GUIDE: Thanks, Jacob Hamblin.
TOUR GUIDE points out the small adobe house on the plaza.
"This was an original home built in St. George and has been moved to this location for preservation. We do not have time to stop at this location on the tour, but your vehicles are parked near by and you may take the opportunity to visit when you return after the tour. Also, there are art exhibits in the Art Museum and this building will be open when you return after the tour. It is cool and air conditioned inside. "
Do not stop to tell stories and questions may be answered as you are walking to the next location or riding on the bus. This would also be a good time to mention the home of Jacob Hamblin that has been restored and is open to the public free of charge in Santa Clara. You may want to visit the Art Museum or least telephone them to see what exhibits are currently showing the week that you are conducting tours.
TOUR GUIDE leads patrons to the upper level of the Opera House.
While the group is assembling you may want to call attention to the quilt on the wall depicting the history and different points of interest in the community. There is a plaque near the quilt with information and dates.
9:22 & 10:52 AM
TOUR GUIDE introduces Orson Pratt in the upper level of the Opera House.
"I would like to introduce Orson Pratt. Mr. Pratt was an early pioneer to St. George. He is a noted inventor, author, and a seasoned international traveler."
He will have 12 minutes. Please give actors a two-minute warning by holding up two fingers when only two minutes remain for their allotted time.
9:34 & 11:04 AM
TOUR GUIDE: Thanks, Orson Pratt.
TOUR GUIDE invites patrons to follow her/him downstairs of the Opera House
Stairs are located towards the stage and to the left. There are historical pictures on the walls that the participants may return to view these at their own leisure after the tour.
TOUR GUIDE
" The Opera House was built in stages by the Gardener’s Club who built it as a winery to store wine. Notice the three types of stone in the winery — lava foundation, sandstone walls, adobe interior. The structure you see today was started in 1875 and was built on top of the winery. In 1880 it was expanded to add the large room above. Theater performances began the first year pioneers came to this area. They were performed in the Bowery first, later in the St. George Social Hall, and even in the Tabernacle basement. Notice the ability to make the floor above sloping or level. For stage production the floor could be lowered to allow better visibility, but for dances or other gatherings, the floor would be made level. For safety reasons the floor can not be moved today, but the huge screws have been kept in place for you to see the ingenuity of these early pioneers."
Because of the Civil War and the shortage of cotton, the settlers were to grow cotton. The pioneers also grew grapes because of the suitable weather for this crop. You may wish to mention the beautifully preserved cotton mill building in Washington City (on Telegraph Street currently used by a nursery). The Gardener’s Club was organized to promote agriculture and production of fruits and crops in the arid conditions of southern Utah. The Bowery was located at the corner of Main and St. George Boulevard (across the street from Zion’s Bank and where a filling station once stood and is now an empty lot).
9:45 &11:15 AM
TOUR GUIDE exits the group through the lower door to the waiting tour buses to travel to the Tabernacle.
A single seat at the front of the bus - facing the back of the bus - is provided for the tour guide.
TOUR GUIDE enroute to the Tabernacle you should point out:
"We are now traveling on the Main Street which was the commercial district of the City of St. George. Note the old historical homes that have been restored. Several are now unique boutiques and are fun places to browse. The corner building in Ancestor Square is an art gallery for our local artists and is surrounded by several restaurants. In the center of Ancestor Square is the old jail. The one room building was constructed around 1880 from black lava rock hauled from the nearby foothills. The windows retain the original bars. It would have been adjacent to Sheriff Hardy’s house that was located just around the corner on St. George Boulevard."
If you run out of time you may point out these sights on your way to the courthouse after leaving the Tabernacle.
On the southeast corner of Main Street and St. George Boulevard is a memorial plaza adjacent to Zion National Bank. This was the site where Erastus Snow’s Big House was once located. Note that there are Historical markers at the site.
"To your left is a small memorial plaza adjacent to Zion National Bank. This is the site where Erastus Snow’s Big House stood. We are on our way to the Tabernacle to visit with Mr. Snow. He and his family used their four storied adobe home as a "Traveler’s Lodging" (or as a hotel) for those that needed overnight accommodations.
Most of the buildings on this portion of Main Street are historically significant. The Bishop’s Storehouse at 21 North Main was built in 1887 to receive the tithes and offerings from the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The goods were distributed to the widows, the poor and the needy in town. Most tithing was paid in kind. This means that the tithing would be paid in eggs, chicken, wheat, grapes, sorghum, cattle, fruit or any product the person produced. Money rarely exchanged hands and scrip would be given in lieu of money. Scrip would be given to those who worked on the building of the temple and tabernacle."
The Bishop’s Storehouse is the building with the rounded brick marquee. Scrip was issued as receipts and was used in lieu of money. Later, the building was used as a bakery by the McArthur family. Erastus Snow’s Big House was used as a Hotel for the next 25 years by his son Mahonri Snow.
TOUR GUIDE While on the bus, tell patrons to notice the individual chisel marks on the sandstone blocks of the Tabernacle and the waviness of the windowpanes.
The chisel marks represent "signatures" of about 8 or 9 stonemasons that worked on the building of the Tabernacle. These features of the building are included in the lecture by Erastus Snow.
TOUR GUIDE before entering the Tabernacle point out the chisel marks and the waviness of the windowpanes
9:55 & 11:25 AM
TOUR GUIDE introduces Erastus Snow.
"I would like to introduce you to Erastus Snow. He was sent to St. George to help organize and lead the families that came to settle this area."
He will have 12 minutes. Please give actors a two-minute warning by holding up two fingers when only two minutes remain for their allotted time. After the presentation you could point out that this is only a short overview of this historic building and a complete tour would be given if they choose to return later. The tours are free.
10:07 & 11:37 AM
TOUR GUIDE: Thanks, Erastus Snow.
TOUR GUIDE leads patrons to the buses.
"The clock and the bell were hoisted and secured in the steeple of the tabernacle in 1872, prior to the completion of the interior in 1876. In its day the bell and the tower clock was central to life in the pioneer communities of southwestern Utah. People relied on the clock for the starting of church meetings and the dividing of watering times between farmers, and other civic activities. The mechanism wore out in the 1940’s, approximately 80 years after installation. For years the clock was idle – more of a perch for pigeons. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to fix the clock. About five years ago, the project of restoration was once again started. Many of the parts were missing and others were severely worn and beyond repair. This time the task was completed and the clock is accurate to five seconds a week. It is one of three clocks known to be still functioning by the prominent tower clock maker, Ephraim Niles Byram of Long Island, New York. The clock weights 700 pounds and the bell 900."
TOUR GUIDE points out Judd’s Store and Orson Pratt’s home.
"Judd’s Store served as the town’s mercantile for many years. The home behind the store was built in 1879 and the store was added some time later. Today it the home of the most refreshing, cool, milk shakes in the area. You may want to return later for a malt, or just to look inside. Next door you will see Orson Pratt’s Home. Orson Pratt spoke to us at the Opera House earlier. This area is called The Green Gate Village. Buckets of paint were sent to St. George to paint the St. George Temple. When the paint was opened it was discovered that they contained green paint instead of white. Rather than returning the paint it was given to the local residents to use on their private property. Thus the green gates in the town of St. George. Some of the original wooden fence painted green can be seen at this site."
You may want to ask the bus driver to slow the bus as you tell the green gate story. As you travel to the Courthouse, remember to point out any buildings you didn’t have time to mention on your way to the Tabernacle. You will pass the recently restored Woodward School, which you could point out if you have time. This was the first building constructed for the schooling of all children in the community. Much of the funding for the building was donated by Mr. Woodward, who had no children Himself! (It is the pink/red stone building across the street from Orson Pratt’s home.)
10:17 & 11:47 AM
TOUR GUIDE leads group up the back stairs to the courtroom in the old Courthouse.
TOUR GUIDE will place the paper with the name of the "the defendant" on the Judge’s desk.
The Tour Guide has previously obtained the name of someone in the group who will be "prosecuted". That name is written on a piece of paper and placed on the desk where the Judge will be seated. The old Court House is currently the Visitor’s Center for the Chamber of Commerce. It contains maps, information on accommodations and current events and attractions of the area. This service would probably be of great value to out-of-town patrons and they should be encouraged to return after the tour.
TOUR GUIDE acts as bailiff and announces the Judge.
"Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge John Menzies Macfarlane, probate judge for Washington County, presiding. All arise!"
Judge enters and takes his place at the bench.
"You may be seated."
This statement can be found on a card on the Judge’s desk. If you use the card please make sure that you leave it there for the next tour. He will have 12 minutes. Please give actors a two-minute warning by holding up two fingers when only two minutes remain for their allotted time.
10:30 & 12:00 AM
TOUR GUIDE thanks Judge Macfarlane
If the judge does not mention that he wrote one of two or three traditional Christmas Carols written in the U.S.A., do so at this time. The carol is Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains.
TOUR GUIDE leads the patrons back down the stairs to the bus.
Make sure that the door is shut. It has some problems.
Point out the gallows in the cupola on top of the courthouse as the bus leaves. No one was actually hung there, but the knowledge of the gallows appeared to be a strong deterrent.
"Across from our parking lot is the building of The Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum. This building was completed in 1938 for the express purpose of housing pioneer relics. Included in the collection is a dress made of locally produced silk. Tours are welcome and are free."
"Silver Reef was a mining town north of St. George. During its boom time, a man shot and killed the paymaster in Silver Reef. He was brought into St. George and placed in the jail (small lava rock building in Ancestral Square), to await trial. A vigilante group made up of miners from Silver Reef came to Sheriff Hardy’s home, broke into his house, stole the keys to the jail, removed the unpopular prisoner and promptly hung him on a tree on St. George Boulevard."
Answer any questions and share any other fun stories you have time for as the bus progresses to the last stop. Normally the Tour Guide may mention the unique Chapel in cool Pine Valley. But in the summer of 2004 it is being remodeled
10:40 & 12:00 AM
TOUR GUIDE should point out the Opera House as you are passing by in the bus.
This is where their vehicles are parked. Explain that they will be returning by foot to their cars. It is about a ½ block from the Brigham Young home. Remind them to remove all personal articles from the bus.
TOUR GUIDE arriving at Brigham Young Home, assembles group in Brigham Young ‘s Office.
It is the small white building at the eastside of the main home.
TOUR GUIDE expresses pleasure in having served as their tour guide
Thank the patrons for taking the tour. Tell them you will leave them after introducing them to Brigham Young. Explain that after meeting with Brigham Young the tour is finished. They may then leave or tour Brigham Young's home as they choose. The tour of the home is Free and very interesting. Encourage them to tour the home.
10:45 — 12:15 AM
TOUR GUIDE introduces Brigham Young.
"We have with us today Brigham Young. The home that you see was President Young’s winter home. He also had a home in Salt Lake City. The dampness and cold of northern Utah caused the ailing Governor much discomfort. He had this house built so that he could work and live among the people in southern Utah during the winter months."
The actor for Brigham Young will have to time himself and keep within the 12 minutes. If you wish to return with the bus driver ask him to please wait for you until you have introduced Brigham Young. This is the end of your responsibilities.
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23 May 2004