Small museums can be found throughout the 'Dinosaur Diamond.' Most deal with geology, natural history and early man. The John Wesley Powell River History Museum does not. Instead, it chronicles the exploits of early American river runners, and focuses primarily upon the career of John Wesley Powell.
The town of Green River is in the southern facet of the Dinosaur Diamond. A trip to this museum makes a good day trip from either Moab or Vernal. The museum is situated on the outskirts of town on the banks of the Green River. The exterior features a bas relief of Powell and his crewmen running the rapids in a small wooden boat.
Inside are exhibits about the Colorado and Green Rivers and their respective gorges. There are interactive exhibits about the early explorers of the Colorado Plateau. The most detailed exhibits enable visitors to get to know John Wesley Powell - a military hero who lost an arm at the battle of Shiloh, an explorer of the Green and Colorado Rivers, the first man to run the Colorado through the Grand Canyon, and a government official. Of special interest is a model of his boat, the Emma Dean. (It was named for his wife, who accompanied him on his journeys.) It is hard to imagine that such a boat could survive the rapids of the Colorado.
The museum depicts the evolution of river running boats and pays tribute to the river runners who came both before and after Powell. The River Runner's Hall of Fame describes the accomplishments of others from early to modern days. The bravery and ingenuity of these individuals has made it possible for today's tourists to enjoy these waters and their canyons in comfort and safety.
Allow at least an hour for a tour of this museum and consider combining this with a trip to another nearby attraction.