A five-hour drive north of Salt Lake City and seemingly a century away is a stunning valley located north and east of the Continental Divide along the Montana-Idaho border. Centennial Valley contains the largest wetlands complex in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, complete with rivers, alpine meadows, and wildlife. Nestled in the heart of the valley is an old ghost town called Lakeview, which has turned out to be a true treasure and a magnificent gift to education.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of John and Melody Taft, and Bill and Sandi Nicholson, who bought and renovated the entire town, Lakeview is now a new home for University of Utah education: The Taft-Nicholson Environmental Humanities Education Center.
The Tafts and Nicholsons, both landowners in Centennial Valley, shared a vision of preserving its unique ecosystem while educating future leaders with an ethic and understanding of the environment.
Together they brought about the multi-million dollar restoration of the abandoned ghost town—a process that has taken more than 12 years to complete—in the hope it could serve as the educational center they envisioned.
“Lakeview was a disaster,” notes Melody Taft. “And it’s at the heart of this very sacred valley.” She didn’t want to see the ruin and abuse continue. Her husband John says that in the beginning, he had no great plan for the town. He just knew he had to do something. “I find a challenge in building,” he says. “I love it. I’ve done it for years in one form or another.” So together they started, bit by bit, and the project took on a life of its own.
John Taft
Three years ago, the Tafts and Nicholsons entered into a partnership with the U’s College of Humanities to establish the Environmental Humanities Education Center, a unique education venue that quickly became self-sustaining and now attracts students from across Utah and Montana. The center hosts workshops, research activities, private events and retreats, literary and environmental educational classes, meditation classes, and artist residencies.
The success gave the Tafts and Nicholsons confidence that the University would be good stewards of their vision, and this past fall they gave the entire town to the University—16 beautifully landscaped acres and 24 renovated and furnished buildings, including a dorm, private cabins, meeting spaces, and a cantina. The gift was celebrated at a gala held October 2, 2013, at Red Butte Garden.
The Tafts and Nicholsons have built a center that provides an enhanced educational experience, preparing students to face a changing world head-on. “We want to provide a transformative experience for our students at this center, and translate theory into practice,” says Robert Newman, dean of the College of Humanities.
The Taft’s and Nicholson’s vision is now being realized as the University of Utah takes ownership of the legacy created by these amazing people who brought an old ghost town to life. “Our world is in trouble,” says Melody Taft, “and this place gives people their souls back.”
