A committee of interested and dedicated people has been working towards the establishment of a museum honoring the American Mule – riding, pack and mule team transportation.
The museum will cover a rich history in the West and the Sierra Nevada range including early explorers, surveyors, mining and large scale mule transportation, settlers, arrieros traditions, military, National Park and Forest Service, commercial and recreational packers. And, now with Mule Days commemorating its 39th year in Bishop, the history of the Mule Days Celebration will also be included.
Bishop, California, the home of the Mule Days Celebration, is the selected site of the museum. The group is looking toward establishing a home for this unique museum at the Tri-County Fairgrounds on U.S. 395. Local officials as well as folks associated with or interested in mules and packing in the Sierra are excited at this prospect that will become a major tourist attraction in the area. There is an anticipation of possible national help from Congress to establish this museum as well as local funds available for museums. As well as a historical museum, a heritage center will be formed to present living history demonstrations and programs of cultural interest celebrating mule transportation traditions. This will also draw increased tourism to the Eastern Sierra.
Throughout the history of the United States, California and the Sierra Nevada, transportation depended upon mule and horsepower. The westward movement in America was made possible on the backs of mules and horses and this heritage is an integral part of our cultural history. During the years 1829 to 1849 the Old Spanish Trail, which traveled from Santa Fe to Los Angeles, was the longest commercial pack train trail in the United States. The commercial packing industry in the Sierra has been steady since California’s Gold Rush days.
The U. S. Army depended on mules throughout our history and mules have participated in every war. Contrary to general belief, mules and horses are still used in the military to a limited extent. The Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Center, located on Sonora Pass, has a contingent of mules and horses along with their trained packers.
The late Ike Livermore, former State of California Resources Director under Governor Ronald Reagan, was a pack station owner for many years, owning Mineral King Pack Station and Mt. Whiney Pack Trains. He worked for many years with the Sierra Club Pack Trip Outings arranging for the packing of those huge pack trips for up to 300 participants. Livermore and Reagan were Grand Marshals of the Mule Days Parade. Both will be honored also in this museum.
John Muir was one of the early proponents of the magnificent splendor of the Sierra. In writing of his experiences and studies of the Sierra, he drew attention to this great mountain range and urged people to “go to the mountains.” The John Muir Wilderness Area and the John Muir Trail that traverses this roadless backcountry are named to honor John Muir. He was a regular participant in Sierra pack trips and although he rode many horses, a mule named “Brownie” was his favorite mount.
Individuals and groups desiring to assist in forming this exciting museum and heritage center are encouraged to become members. Help make this worthy endeavor a reality.