The Pioneer Yosemite History Center (PYHC) in Wawona officially opened on Wednesday, June 23 after a week of intense preparation. History had to be researched and learned so the players could portray real people from Yosemite's past. This is living history. 

Except for the covered bridge and the gray barn, all of the buildings in the center were moved from their original locations. This collection of buildings represents different years in the evolution of the park and more importantly the people who lived, worked and made a contribution to Yosemite. 

Just before crossing the covered bridge to actually enter the PYHC there is a big gray barn originally owned by the Washburns who also owned the nearby Wawona Hotel. Wawona was the largest stage stop in Yosemite in the late 1800's. Today, as in the past, the barn is used to harness and repair the stage. Now it is also used for the Saturday night barn dances. 

The structure that literally bridges 1991 to the past is, in fact, the covered bridge. Nearly lost in a 1955 flood, its restoration was the first step in preserving the other buildings. Originally built as an uncovered bridge by Galen Clark in 1857, it was used by all Yosemite bound traffic. Clark had built a way station for visitors in Wawona. Later he sold his station and land along the river to the Washburns who were from Vermont, and they covered the bridge. 

As one walks across the bridge, hearing the rush of the river underneath, other sounds come in to play. Chickens cackling, a rooster crowing, a hammer hitting iron at the blacksmith shop, and the clomp of the horse's hooves as they pull the stage, bring one back in time. 

Visitors from all over the world are greeted by either Barb Hofmeister or Julie Schuller at the first cabin after the bridge. Barb or Julie is dressed in 1915's fashion complete with black high top shoes, black stockings, long skirt and long sleeved, high neck blouse while the tourists wear shorts and carry cameras and camcorders. The visitors are asked to stop for a few minutes and listen to a short orientation before going on. They are informed that the PYHC is not a village, that the buildings came from all over what is now Yosemite National Park, and the people who lived and worked in them did not know one another. “How would you like to  actually go back in time,” the hostess asks. Barb continues: 

"We'd like for you to pretend that when you enter each building, you are in the original location and in another time as well. For example, here at the artist studio it is 1900 and we are in Yosemite Valley, not Wawona. This is the studio of Christian Jorgenson. No one lived here, but lots of artists worked here; and if you had entered this building in 1900 it is very likely that it would be empty of people just as it is today. On such a nice day as this the artists would be out painting. I hope that this empty building will remind you that a building without people isn't very exciting. It is people that bring them to life. There are real people living and working in the rest of the buildings, and you get to meet them because you will be going back in time. Is anyone afraid of time travel?" 

"The next cabin is the home of George Anderson. When you walk in the door it will be 1881. In case you have never heard of George, he is the first person to have climbed Half Dome, and, in fact, built the trail that is still used today. Now, perhaps, you'd like to know how he did that or how he lives, why he prefers a dirt floor to a wood floor, how he happened to come to Yosemite from Scotland—anything at all that you want to know about him---just ask him. Now is your chance to find out first hand. By the way, George intends to build a hotel on top of Half Dome. I think you'll agree that that would be quite a feat. Go ahead and ask him how he expects to accomplish that or why?" 

"Next, you will go to the Hodgdon cabin and be back to 1889. Lots of good aromas come from this cabin because she is always baking cookies or bread. Mary Kay Hodgdon (a homesteader who came to California from Vermont in a covered wagon) and one or two of her grandchildren will be there. Now is your opportunity to ask all those questions you have always wanted to ask of a homesteader. Perhaps you don't remember your history and forgot what one had to do to homestead; or you'd like to know what that trip across the United States was like. Better yet, ask her what she thinks of the National Park idea because 1889 is just one year before Yosemite is to become a national park, and her family is going to lose their land. But maybe you'd rather know how often they take baths, where the children go to school, or what kind of toys they have, and what kind of chores they have to do." 

"From there you can visit the blacksmith shop. The time will be 1900, and many visitors are coming into the park. Glen, the smithy, has a lot of work to do. He repairs stages, household items, and shoes horses. Ask him about his job. How much does he get paid? How many hours does he work? Where is he from? Oh, and he does have some of his fancy iron work for sale at 1991 prices." 

"The Cavalry office is the next stop in your time travel, and when you enter that building it will be 1905. You will meet Captain Devine and be able to ask him anything you want to know about the Cavalry's job in the park. From 1890, when Yosemite became a national park, until 1914, when they needed to prepare for World War I, 150 men from the Presido of San Francisco protected Yosemite. Their primary goals were to keep sheep, cattle, prospectors, poachers, and lumberman out. You might want to ask him just how they managed all that and what their life was like here." 

"When the Cavalry pulled out in 1914 there were only 15 civilian rangers to take their places. The National Park Service was not created until August of 1916. These civilian rangers had an even greater responsibility than the Cavalry because the automobile was allowed to enter the park in 1914, and they had to collect the fee to enter. When you go into the ranger patrol cabin, it will be 1915, and you will meet one of the ranger's wives (the rangers are all out on patrol). Again you will have the opportunity to ask about their life and work in Yosemite at that time. Pretend you have just entered the park in your automobile and see what all is required of you. The fee in 1915 was $5, the same as it is today. If you think that it is outrageous, tell her so and have her explain why the fee is so high. Is their life here a lonely one? What do they do for entertainment? What are their wages? These are just some of the questions you might ask." 

"The Degnan Bakery was originally connected to the Degnan's home in Yosemite Valley. Bridget started baking just a few loaves of bread, and now in 1915, at the height of the tourist season, will bake as many as 400 loaves a day in her remarkable oven. Be sure you look inside. In just a few minutes you will know that she is from Ireland. You might be interested in why she left Ireland and choose this part of California, how many children she has, and what their life is like in the Valley." 

"The last stop on your time travel is the Yosemite Transportation Co. and Wells Fargo & Co. Express. Again, the time will be 1915, and you will be in Yosemite Valley. George and Nona Faber are the first agents to work and live in this new building. Their two-room apartment is behind the offices. It is a very modern building with electricity, and telephone, and they no longer use horse drawn stages. Just last year (1914) they sold the last of the horse equipment when they purchased their second auto stage. Their stage runs from El Portal to the Valley and back, but if you want to go to Wawona they can sell you a ticket and have the Wawona Stage and Turnpike Company pick you up. That company is still using horse drawn stages, but it will be the last year for they too will completely switch to auto stages in 1916. You might want to ask them why they came here from Pennsylvania, what business they conduct from this building, how much it costs to stay in the Sentinel Hotel or make pretend arrangements to travel out of the park. Ask about what is going on in the world too---a war is brewing in Europe." 

"We hope you enjoy your visit with us here in the Pioneer Yosemite History Center and remember to ask lots of questions---that is---except for 1991 questions. You see they haven't been there yet, and they simply won't know the answers. If you have any 1991 questions please come back and ask either Julie or myself. Oh, and one other thing. If some of the pioneers ask you why you are wearing your night clothes or underwear please do not be offended. You do see that you are just not properly dressed for these times." 

From this introduction, the visitors go visiting at their own pace. Most of the actors in the PYHC are volunteers. All had to learn as much as possible about their cabin times in order to answer the many questions which range from "Who is the president of the United States" to "How is the electricity generated?" Some had to learn how to operate equipment. Ron who plays the part of George Faber (Wells Fargo agent, telegraph operator, etc.) was supposed to learn the principles of the telegraph, how to repair telephone lines, fix telephones, and operate the letter press so when visitors asked how they work, he could portray the man effectively. Pat had to learn the complexities of the oven in her bakery, John had to learn the Cavalry equipment, and Mike had to learn how the cables were attached to Half Dome and how to make cedar shakes. Everyone had something complex to learn. Occasionally someone will ask a question that the actors do not know, but they do a remarkable job of covering up with a quick ad lib. And everyone is constantly learning. 

Ron has had a unique situation here. He has two wives. Julie and Barbara take turns working as Nona in the stage office. Each also works half a day as hostess. He says that's why he hasn't learned about the telegraph yet. "Two women keep him too busy," he says. Truth is he wastes a lot of time arguing with the stage driver---part of the act. 

All of the PYHC staff agree that it's most fun when the visitors ask good questions and really play along. It is a painless way to learn a little bit of history. And the visitors aren't the only ones learning.