historical society & museum chronicle VOLUME XXVIV NO. 4 JACKSON’S HOLE, WYOMING WINTER 2009-10 Horse-powered Sleighs and Sleds Jackson Hole Fundraising Traditions by Liz Jacobson Winter diversions in Jackson Hole are Cutters were horse-drawn chariots which of the early cutter races was Fuzzy. a necessity because the winters seem raced two at a time on Broadway Avenue “The undisputed star of the ’53 races so long. There is a need to break up the in downtown Jackson in the early days. was Fuzzy, a young elk who ran the track isolation and enjoy some social activities. “Originated in Wyoming many years ago, hitched to a homemade sleigh. He was Two favorite pastimes have evolved from cutter racing was started in the Jackson driven by George Robertson who had fun winter activities into major charitable Hole area by John and Jess Wort, George tamed the animal when it first visited his fundraising events. The Shriners’ 38th Lumley, and Gibb Scott. Mr. Scott, in fields as a calf. Photographers from Life Annual Cutter Races takes place on fact, was known as the ‘Daddy of cutter magazine brought both of them national February 13-14, 2010, and the World racing’” (Chamber of Commerce). attention. The publicity was good for the Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb is races, but cost Robertson his elk. The celebrating its 35th year on March 25-28, As the streets became busier in Jackson, Wyoming Game and Fish Department 2010. locations other than Broadway had to be didn’t like the fact that a wild animal found for the cutter races. was being held in captivity, and ordered According to Bob Lundy, the elk released.” (Jackson Hole Guide, the current president of 1987). Lundy thinks that Fuzzy was still the Jackson Hole Shrine alive in 1966. Club, the races were held on Pearl Avenue only one year Lundy states that because interest in because the racers didn’t like the cutter races was lagging in 1972, running their teams on Bean’s Hill (corner of Pearl and King). He remembers when Grand Teton National Park allowed the Early cutter racing on Broadway 2005.0019.039 races to be held near the airport Cutter Racing: in 1963 or 1964. Cutter races A Long-Standing Tradition have been held every year except for a six-year hiatus The Jackson Hole cutter races were one from 1966 until 1972. Lundy of many activities in the annual Winter says the Shriners took over the Sports Carnival which started in 1932. event in 1972, and the event was held on the field where Other events to occupy participants and Cutter Race team, c. 1960 2005.0019.038 spectators alike included downhill and Teton Motors and Shervin’s slalom ski races, ski jumping, dog sled Independent Oil are now. Beginning in the “Dirty Dozen Shriners,” a group races, kids’ dog derby, bob sled races, elk 1973 for four or five years, the event was of about twelve Shrine Club members, hide racing, snow shovel races, torchlight held in Little Horse Thief Canyon. Since contacted the active All-American Cutter skiing and fireworks, snowshoe and then, Paul VonGontard has graciously Association in Star Valley and convinced barefoot races, and basketball and ice offered his land in Melody Ranch which them to bring twenty-five to thirty hockey games. A traditional coronation once was the old highway, and today is teams to compete in Jackson that year. ball was held to crown the Winter Queen. used as an airstrip. Now the club tries to have about forty People must have had fun devising these creative and competitive winter events. Lundy says one of his favorite memories continued on Page 4 Page 2-Winter 2009-10 JACKSON HOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM CHRONICLE ISSN: 1544-3884 STAFF AND BOARD OF THE JACKSON HOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM Organizational News Staff Lokey Lytjen Teaming with Excitement for Stories Executive Director By Karen L. Reinhart Robin Allison Assistant to the Director We all know that everyone has a story. the interviewee a sense of the value of Mindy Barnett People share stories daily around cups of their own life, and to gather and interpret Office Manager coffee, while standing in the grocery store rich, authentic stories. The interviews are Jean Hansen aisle, or through telephone and e-mail recorded digitally, stored on CD format, Museum Manager conversations. Friends and family catch and are transcribed. The recordings and Gary Hughes up with annual Christmas letters, and transcriptions are made available to the Development Director occasionally by gathering at reunions. interviewee and his/her family, as well Liz Jacobson Because of Jackson Hole’s uniqueness, as to the community and researchers. Membership & Program Assistant residents have great stories to tell, and They may be used for historical society Karen Reinhart the Jackson Hole Historical Society and programming. Curator of Education & Outreach Museum saves these stories for posterity. This fall the following Jackson Hole Becca Stephens Oral histories fulfill JHHSM’s mission residents have shared their stories: Ted Research & Education Assistant of collecting and preserving our heritage. and Kay Benson, Pete Cameron, Ben Shannon Sullivan One of our goals is to encourage, listen, Ferrin, Abi Garaman, Albert Gunther, Curatorial Assistant record, and transcribe as many of the Loal Jacobson, Sid Kranenberg, Cile people’s stories as possible. To that end, Lamb, Elizabeth McCabe, Dr. Richard Board of Directors the historical society has gathered ten Sugden, Barbara and Bob Van Deburg, volunteers and staff, and formed an oral and Paul Von Gontard. Jim Luebbers history team. We convened the end of We invite you, our members and President October to learn the art of conducting supporters, to pick up the phone and give Jacques Dubois successful interviews, and to gather names us suggestions of people whose stories we Treasurer of potential Jackson Hole interviewees. should capture and preserve. Please note Shay James The esteemed volunteers who are that we are not exclusively seeking stories Secretary part of our new oral history team are from people who were born and raised Marion Buchenroth Marion Buchenroth, Judy Clayton, and still living in Jackson Hole. There is John Carney Larry Hendricks, Jackie Montgomery, validity in gathering oral histories from Rod Everett Nancy Pettus, and Happy Weston. Staff people of all ages and experiences. We can Stan Klassen members Liz Jacobson, Lokey Lytjen, conduct interviews via phone if a person Matt Montagne Karen Reinhart, and Shannon Sullivan has moved away. Thank you! Please Jackie Fernald Montgomery will also do oral history interviews as contact: Karen Reinhart, 733-9605. Larry Perlman time and their work schedules allow. In December, the Rotary Club of Jackson Pamela Rankin Why conduct oral histories? There Hole (Lunch Club) generously donated Rudy Sanford are many reasons: to discover aspects funding for two digital recorders for the Stan Trachtenberg of a person’s life experience that would oral history team. We are grateful to them Berniece Turner not otherwise be documented, to gain for helping us record the voices of Jackson Matt Turner someone’s personal perspective, to give Hole. Mission Statement Board Members Provided Invaluable Service The Jackson Hole Historical Society It is with deepest appreciation that organization’s future. Pete brought the and Museum collects, interprets, we say good-bye to two dedicated board perspective of long-time residents to our and preserves our unique heritage in members who have each served two organization and shared his knowledge an engaging and enriching manner. three-year terms, Joe Albright and Pete of real estate as well. Joe lent his insight Karns. Joe joined the board of directors to help move the new museum project in 2003, and after two terms stayed on forward with vision and determination, an additional year as allowed under the and provided generous financial support. revised bylaws. He has been the vice- They both helped identify and acquire president since the Fall of 2006. Pete the property at 225 N. Cache and obtain became a member of the board in 2004, Specific Purpose Excise Tax funds in and served as co-treasurer in 2007. support of building a world-class, year- Both Joe and Pete have been invaluable round community history museum. in directing the affairs of the Jackson Sincere thanks goes to Joe and Pete Hole Historical Society and Museum for their enthusiasm, commitment and The Jackson Hole Historical Society and in helping the board of directors faithful service to the organization. and Museum Chronicle is published tackle pivotal decisions affecting the quarterly for members and friends of the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. Suggestions Welcome New Members and comments are always welcome. (September, October, and November): Jackson Historical Society & Museum • Richard and Virginia Appleby • Floyd Looley P. O. Box 1005 • Andrea Billingsley • Jim and Lisa Ryan Jackson, Wyoming 83001 • Nancy Eaton • Paul Stacey (307) 733-9605, Fax: (307) 739-9019 • Steve and Polly Friess • Trapper Inn e-mail:[email protected] • Anthony and Cynthia Huhn • John and Mary Kay Turner www.museumofjacksonhole.org • Scott and Carrie Kirkpatrick • William and Robin Weiss • Chris and Pippa Knowlton • Wells Fargo • Tom and Linda Lamb • Dan and Sharon Zelenko ISSN: 1544-3884 JACKSON HOLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM CHRONICLE Page 3-Winter 2009-10 Voices in Print Upcoming Events Grant Completed by Robin Allison Storytelling Program Series* Thursday, March 11, 2010 “Jackson Hole Stories: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. The Jackson Hole Historical Society Teton County Library and Museum recently completed the Voices of the Valley” Ordway Auditorium grant requirements for Voices in Print Dude ranch owner/ – Transcribing Oral Histories of Teton Thursday, January 14, 2010 outfitters: Harold County, Wyoming.