Archaeologist reveals untold stories of historic Yosepa community

The Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) kicked off Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month with a webinar featuring researcher Allie Gerlach, who presented her findings on the historic community of Yosepa. Established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1889, Yosepa was primarily inhabited by Hawaiian and Pacific Islander converts until its closure in 1917.

During the webinar, hosted by public archaeologist Elizabeth Hora, Gerlach shared insights from her master's thesis project, which focused on creating a mobile exhibit about Yosepa. This project not only highlighted the archaeological significance of the site but also emphasized collaboration with the descendant community to ensure that their stories and artifacts were accurately represented.

Gerlach expressed her commitment to making archaeology accessible and relatable, aiming to bridge the gap between academic research and public engagement. The mobile exhibit was designed to be showcased during the annual Memorial Day celebration in Yosepa, allowing attendees to connect with their heritage and history.

The webinar format encouraged audience participation through a Q&A panel, allowing viewers to engage directly with Gerlach and discuss the implications of her research. This initiative is part of a broader effort by Utah SHPO to promote awareness and appreciation of the state's archaeological and historical resources throughout May.