Interview conducted by Jordan Kiyak, research outreach coordinator for the Utah Historical Society
We are thrilled to start introducing various researchers who have spent the last two years working on projects for the Peoples of Utah Revisited.
Mary Langworthy has worked previously for the Moab Museum. Her project is on William Grandstaff and his legacy in Utah, especially in the southern part of the state. Read the interview below, where Mary shares more about her work and what drew her to this project. Learn more about the Peoples of Utah Revisited at history.utah.gov/peoples-of-utah-revisited.
Q: Tell us a bit about your background and what got you into history work.
A: I am a geologist by training, and have worked in museums doing public programs, curation, and communications. I believe in the power of history museums to help empower informed, curious communities, and much of my work has been dedicated to making that happen in Moab at the tiny but mighty Moab Museum.
Q: What drew you to the Peoples project?
A: When I heard about the Peoples project, we were already well down the research rabbit hole and I had already completed an exhibition, programming, and some local communication at the Moab Museum showcasing the findings of our research. The Peoples project seemed like the perfect way to connect the research to the broader Utah community. The country’s 250th birthday offers an opportunity for reflection and introspection, and I think that the story of Moab settler and Black cowboy, William Grandstaff, adds really meaningful context to Utah’s story at this time in history.
Plus, the Peoples project offered incredible structure and mentorship support!
Q: Why did you choose your topic for the Peoples project? What does it mean to you?
A: The topic kind of chose me. In early 2020, I had just started working at the Moab Museum, focused on programming and community curated exhibitions during the tumultuous height of COVID-19 while the museum was closed. The museum was receiving lots of inquiries about Moab settler and Black cowboy, William Grandstaff. Aside from limited references in oral histories, I found very little information about this man–who is often credited as being the first permanent settler of Moab, and has held a prominent place in local lore ever since.
Motivated by my community’s curiosity, I was able to connect with some other researchers who took a deep dive into Grandstaff’s genealogy and probed public records from across the country, adding tremendous detail into the known history of this man. I am grateful that my fellow Moabites were curious enough to reach out and ask, and I’m so glad that the museum got to help offer some answers to deepen our collective understanding.
William Grandstaff has come to mean a lot to me over the years. Beyond the biographical details of his life, his story is one of resilience, opportunity, controversy, and adventure: universal themes that everyone can connect with. His story disrupts narratives, biases, and assumptions. His story invites endless interpretation and imagination for Moabites and others today.
Q: What were your surprises or favorite things you learned about your topic?
A: William Grandstaff had an incredibly varied life–his story is really fascinating to trace. Perhaps my favorite detail was learning that before coming to Moab, Grandstaff likely served in the Cincinnati Black Brigade, which was the first military unit of Black men that was used by the Union in the Civil War. One of Moab’s first settlers was a cowboy who was born enslaved, fought for the freedom of his fellow Black Americans in the Civil War, then found a life of opportunity, challenge, and adventure out West.
Q: What is something you’d like to share with other people interested in getting involved in history work? Any general advice or career suggestions?
A: Connect with peers! None of this research would have been possible without the unparalleled generosity and talents of Gerald Elias and Nick Sheedy–two spectacular collaborators with far more research experience than I have. They found documents and did essential sleuthing; I translated it all into public programming, exhibits, articles, and interviews at the Moab Museum. If you’re a researcher, connect with a museum that might be able to help share your work through exhibits and programs. If you’re a museum worker with programming and exhibit skills, but are thin on a certain type of research expertise, connect with folks who can help. We all have our talents and passions and want to use them. History–from research to interpretation and public outreach–takes folks of many talents: connect with people who can help in different ways!
Please note: The views and opinions expressed in content from partners do not necessarily reflect the views of the Utah Historical Society.