Frontier Homestead State Park Museum

Frontier Homestead State Park Museum in Cedar City

Frontier Homestead State Park Museum (formerly known as Iron Mission State Park) is a Utah state park and museum located in Cedar City that preserves and interprets the pioneer and Native American heritage of Southern Utah. The museum tells the story of the Iron Mission — one of the most ambitious colonization efforts in the American West — when Brigham Young sent settlers to Cedar City in 1851 to mine iron ore and establish an iron works, making it one of the first attempts at heavy industry west of the Mississippi.

Exhibits & Collections

The museum houses one of the finest collections of horse-drawn vehicles in the American West, including stagecoaches, wagons, sleighs, and hearses dating from the 1850s through the early 1900s. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to experience pioneer life, try on period clothing, and learn about the challenges of settling the Iron County region. The Native American collection features Paiute and Fremont artifacts spanning thousands of years of indigenous habitation. Outdoor exhibits include a reconstructed pioneer cabin, blacksmith shop, and farm equipment. The museum also hosts seasonal living history demonstrations where costumed interpreters demonstrate pioneer skills like weaving, cooking, and blacksmithing.

Visiting the Museum

Frontier Homestead State Park Museum is located on Main Street in downtown Cedar City, within walking distance of the Utah Shakespeare Festival venues and Southern Utah University. Admission is affordable (under $6 for adults), and the museum is open year-round. Allow 1-2 hours for a complete visit. The park grounds include picnic areas and a small playground. Special events include Pioneer Day celebrations in July, holiday open houses, and educational field trips. It is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Cedar City and provides valuable context for understanding the settlement history of all of Southern Utah.