Silver Reef Museum

Stories from the AZ Strip
2025-02-22 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Silver Reef Cosmopolitan, 903 Wells Fargo Rd., Leeds, UT, 84746, United States
Stories from the AZ Strip – Milt Hokanson & Greg Woodall

The Geological History of Arches National Park and Surrounding Regions
2025-03-22 10:00 UTC | Silver Reef Cosmopolitan, 903 Wells Fargo Rd., Leeds, UT, 84746, United States
The Geological History of Arches National Park and Surrounding Regions – Marc Deshowitz
Cosmopolitan Event
Saturday, Mar 22, 2025
10 AM
The Geological History of Arches National Park and Surrounding Regions
Arches National Park (ANP) contains the highest concentration of natural arches on Earth, with over 2,000 spread across its stunning landscape. This abundance is due to unique geologic conditions that have shaped not only ANP but also the surrounding region. If you’ve ever wondered why so many arches are found in this area or why oil and gas are produced here, this presentation will provide answers by exploring the subsurface geology that contributed to these formations. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the processes that created this incredible landscape. ANP’s beauty is so iconic that Delicate Arch proudly represents our state on one of our license plate options!
About The Presenter
Marc Deshowitz
Marc, originally from the Boston area, pursued graduate studies in Geology before beginning a nearly 30-year career with Shell Oil Company. After decades of visiting southern Utah, he and his wife, Chrystal, decided to leave the Gulf Coast region and settle in Ivins, Utah.
Both Marc and Chrystal worked with Road Scholar, leading educational expeditions across the Colorado Plateau and beyond. In addition to his time with Road Scholar, Marc spent years as a consultant and continues to pro- vide educational experiences for Road Scholar participants today.
Reservations suggested:
https://tinyurl.com/GeologicalHistoryofArches
or 435.879.2254
Donations appreciated!
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Mining-Then and Now
2025-05-24 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Silver Reef Museum, 1903 Wells Fargo Rd, Leeds, UT, 84746, United States
SILVER REEF MUSEUM
Cosmopolitan Event Saturday, May 24, 2025
10 AM
Mining-Then and Now
Silver Reef was a bustling mining town in the 1870’s and 1880’s, with over 7.5 million ounces in silver bullion worth over 250 million dollars today mined from the sandstone ores extracted from over 400 mine openings in the area. Men and mules were the prime movers in its history. Come learn more about the means and the men involved at the Saturday, May 24 presentation at 10 a.m. at the Silver Reef Museum’s Cosmopolitan building.
Glen Zumwalt will describe the methods involved in silver mining in the 1800’s and Brian Somers, president of the Utah Mining Assn., will talk about present day mining in Utah.

About The Presenters
Glen Zumwalt is a retired mining engineer and executive who currently volunteers on the Silver Reef Museum board of directors. A resident of Leeds since 2010, he designed and directed the construction of the mock silver mine in the basement of the Wells Fargo building.
Brian Somers has been president of the Utah Mining assn. since 2019. He has over 20 years experience in various organization in strategic communications roles in the private sector as well
as servicing in Gov. Gary Herbert’s administration. The mining association advocates for and advances the mineral resource and related industries in Utah.
Reservations suggested:
https://tinyurl.com/MiningThenAndNow
Make Reservations
or 435.879.2254 Donations appreciated!

Dinosaurs & Fossils in Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
2025-06-28 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | UT
SILVER REEF MUSEUM
Cosmopolitan Event
Saturday, June 28, 2025 – 10 AM
Dinosaurs & Fossils in Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
Discover the fascinating prehistoric world preserved in the rocks of Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (RCNCA) and Red Cliffs Desert Reserve (RCDR). Lead Paleontologist Andrew Milner will highlight over 100 fossil sites in the area, many showcasing rare dinosaur tracks and traces from 200 million years ago. Some of these unique fossil localities provide valuable information about dinosaur behaviors and other animals that live alongside them.
Andrew Milner is the lead Paleontologist & Curator, at St George Dinosaur Discovery
Andrew has studied fossils in Utah since 2001, publishing over 70 scientific papers. His work focuses on ancient trackways and early dinosaurs of the American Southwest. He’s conducted fieldwork across North America-from Utah and Quebec to British Columbia’s Burgess Shale and works closely with federal and state agencies to protect fossil sites. His recent discovery of a rare Early Jurassic bonebed in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is considered his most significant find to date.
Reservations suggested:
https://tinyurl.com/DinosaurTravels
or 435.879.2254 Donations appreciated!
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Funded by
Utah Legislature
Utah Division of
Arts & Museums
Silver Reef Museum
1903 Wells Fargo Rd
Leeds, UT 84746

Lost Boy Rescued Lecture - July 26, 2025
2025-07-26 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Silver Reef Museum, 1903 Wells Fargo Rd, Leeds, UT, 84746, United States
SILVER REEF MUSEUM
Cosmopolitan Event Saturday, July 26, 2025 – 10 AM
Lost Boy Rescued: A Miraculous Rescue in the Hidden Treasure Mine This September marks the 36th anniversary of ten-year-old Joshua Dennis’s dramatic rescue from Tooele County’s Hidden Treasure Mine. Join us at Silver Reef’s Cosmo as Josh and his rescuer, John Skinner, share their unforgettable journey-one of faith, courage, and life- changing lessons they’ve learned since.

About the presenters:
John Skinner is a historian dedicated to preserving the history of the Ophir Mining District and surrounding ghost towns in Tooele County, Utah. His expertise in old mining maps proved pivotal in 1989 when he helped rescue ten-year-old Josh Dennis after five days lost in the Hidden Treasure Mine. John and his wife, Chris, have two grown children and divide their time between Ophir and Ivins, Utah, while he continues to write and share the rich stories of the region’s past.
Josh Dennis, a devoted husband and father of four, lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Johana. A talented graphic designer for church magazines, Josh has also served in various leadership roles within his church community, where his efforts have made a lasting impact. His incredible story of survival as a young boy in the mine is a testament to
faith, courage, and miracles-one he now shares to inspire hope and resilience in others.
Reservations suggested:
https://tinyurl.com/LostBoyRescued
or 435.879.2254 Donations appreciated! http://silverreef.org
SILVER REEF
Silver Reef Museum 1903 Wells Fargo Rd Leeds, UT 84746
Funded by
Utah Legislature
Utah Division of
Arts & Museums

LIDAR - (Light Detection & Ranging) - Lecture
2025-09-27 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Silver Reef Museum, 1903 Wells Fargo Rd, Leeds, UT, 84746, United States
SILVER REEF MUSEUM
Cosmopolitan Event
Saturday, September 27, 2025
10:00 AM
About the presenter:
Tyler Knudsen is a Senior Geologist with the Utah Geological Survey’s Geologic Hazards Program in Cedar City. He holds a B.S. degree in geology from the University of Utah, a M.S. degree in geology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and joined the UGS in 2006. Tyler has authored or co-authored several studies and maps on the geologic hazards of the St. George basin, Zion National Park, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Other contributions include: paleoseismic investigations on the active Sevier and Washington faults, ground subsidence and earth fissure mapping in southwestern Utah, and emergency response to damaging rockfalls in Rockville and Zion National Park. Recent projects include quaternary geologic mapping of the mineral mountains west and opal mound fault zones at the Utah FORGE site near Milford and comprehensive geologic-hazard mapping of the Bryce Canyon and Cedar City-Enoch areas.

Fall Cleanup Days - Silver Reef Museum's Gardens
2025-10-08 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-11 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Silver Reef Museum, 1903 Wells Fargo Rd, Leeds, UT, 84746, United States
🍂 Fall Cleanup Days at Silver Reef Museum! 🍂
Calling all friends, neighbors, and volunteers — it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get the museum grounds ready for the cooler season! Join us for Fall Cleanup Days on Wednesday, October 8th and Saturday, October 11th from 9 AM to noon.
We’ll be pruning, raking, weeding, transplanting, removing invasive plants, and moving rocks to help keep the historic Silver Reef site looking beautiful. 🌿
Bring your sturdy garden gloves and any yardwork tools you have on hand. We’ll provide water and snacks to keep everyone energized!
📅 Dates: October 8th & 11th🕘 Time: 9 AM – Noon📍 Location: Silver Reef Museum
To register, contact Judy Henck at 📧 judith.henck@yahoo.com.
Let’s come together as a community to preserve and beautify this special piece of local history! 🤝✨
#SilverReefMuseum #VolunteerDay #CommunityCleanup #SouthernUtahHistory #FallCleanup #HistoricPreservation #VolunteerLocal

Ghost Nights 2025
2025-10-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Silver Reef Museum, 1903 Wells Fargo Rd, Leeds, UT, 84746, United States
LET THE VOICES OF SILVER Reef Speak AGAIN…
SOFTLY, VIVIDLY, AND WITH A FLICKER OF LANTERN LIGHT.
GHOST NIGHTS 2025
OCTOBER 24 & 25. 7-9 pm
Silver Reef Museum
1903 WELLS FARGO ROAD – LEEDS UT
STEP INTO THE SILVER TWILIGHT OF THE 1870S, WHERE COSTUMED STORYTELLERS BRING THE PAST TO LIFE. HEAR TALES OF MINERS, FAMILIES, MERCHANTS, AND MISCHIEF- MAKERS WHO ONCE WALKED These PATHS. NO FRIGHTS – JUST FLICKERS OF MEMORY, LANTERN-LIT HISTORY, AND VOICES WORTH REMEMBERING.
ADMISSION: $8.00 PER PERSON BY RESERVATION $10.00 PER PERSON AT DOOR (IF AVAILABLE)
PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.jotform.com/form/252555324719158

EVENT INFO
ARRIVE 15-20 MINS EARLY FOR PARKING & CHECK-IN
COMFORTABLE SHOES & WEATHER APPROPRIATE CLOTHING RECOMMENDED FLASHLIGHT REQUIRED – PATHS ARE ROCKY & UNEVEN
GUESTS WILL BE ASSIGNED A GHOSTORICAL SITE AT CHECK-IN
GIFT SHOP: 10% OFF PURCHASES (A FEW RESTRICTIONS APPLY)

Zane Gray and the Mormons
2026-02-28 10:00 - 23:00 (America/Denver) | Silver Reef Cosmopolitan, 903 Wells Fargo Rd., Leeds, UT, 84746, United States
Zane Grey and the Mormons

Zane Grey was a Sigma Nu frat boy who studied dentistry and played baseball at the University of Pennsylvania before going out West and making his name as America’s most famous Western writer. His experience with the Mormons in Southern Utah influenced his writing and his life.

About the presenter:

Fred Esplin lives in Salt Lake City where he teaches courses on Utah history through the University of Utah’s Osher Institute. He studied at Southern Utah University, the University of Utah, and the American University. Much of his career was in public broadcasting where he worked for PBS in Washington, DC, the Pennsylvania Public Television Network, and KUED Channel 7 (PBS Utah). Before retiring in 2020, Fred worked for two decades as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the University of Utah. He is a native Southern Utahn whose family still operates a homestead cattle ranch on the North Fork of the Virgin River.
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