About Us

PIONEER CRAFT HOUSE IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PARTIALLY FUNDED BY ZOO, ARTS & PARKS.

Established in 1947, Craft House was the centennial gift to the people of Utah from the people of Utah, commemorating the 100 years since the Mormon Pioneers settled the Salt Lake Valley. The original gift was a reproduction cabin in Auberbach’s Department Store, where skills that provided the necessities of life on the American frontier were demonstrated.

In 1950, “The Pioneer Craft House” was moved permanently to the old Scott School property at 500 E 3300 S. Over the course of 60 years, Craft House has been the home of, among other things, a valuable international puppet collection, well-used weaving and pottery studios, silversmith and lapidary workshops, an art library, and a peaceful cultural haven for artists and craftspeople. Classes in both heritage and contemporary methods and materials gave students the opportunity to develop interests in fields as varied as tatting, woodcarving, sculpture, flute-making, and even microwave cooking and macrame!

In 2004, Granite School District transferred the property to the City of South Salt Lake. Efforts continue on the part of impassioned artists, educators, and community builders to ensure that Craft House’s serene campus and spacious studios remain a cultural oasis for decades to come. The lovely old buildings are enjoying some TLC in the form of new paint, new pipes, and new populations, and the grounds have been pruned and replanted so that they aptly reflect the vitality of this beloved institution.

This renewed dedication to arts and crafts education means that our sanctuary of learning, the oldest continually operated school in Utah, will carry on for generations.

VISION STATEMENT

Pioneer Craft House is dedicated to inspiring imagination, exploration, transformation, and joy through arts and crafts education.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Pioneer Craft House is to respond to the community by offering vital cultural resources and high standards of art and craft education programs and events.
Pioneer Craft House will preserve and honor the rich heritage of its collections, artifacts, and exhibits.