Orderville Soup Town Days
Saturday, April 15th, 12-5 PM at the North Events Center
ORDERVILLE was established under the direction of LDS Church president Brigham Young in 1875 with the expectation that the residents, or members of the town, would live in the United Order, a voluntary form of communalism defined by Joseph Smith.
The settlers grew their own crops, and had some small farms surrounding the settlement. They also used local materials to make their own soap, brooms, buckets, furniture, etc. Orderville had blacksmiths, clerks, artists, musicians, and other professionals.
One of the most talked about items of the United Order history is the communal dining hall where every man, woman, and child ate their meals. Often, with so many mouths to feed, Soup was the easiest meal to make. Hence the nickname of Soup Town. This experiment in communal living was the longest-lasting “Order” with a decade of success.
In 1885, the enforcement of the Edmunds Anti-Polygamy Act of 1882 effectively ended the Order, by jailing many of the Order’s leaders. Nearly a century and a half after the final vestiges of the LDS Orderville United Order disappeared, the town remains a tight-knit conglomerate of pioneer stock. What better way to celebrate a lasting heritage than to eat Soup?!
At Soup Town Days, there will be Pioneer trade booths-cheese making, quilts, rag rugs, soap making, Kids’ corner, music, United Order display, Lawn Mower races, Bed races, and of course, Soup! This year the Soup is free, but we are asking for a donation for the Daniel & Ashley Spencer Benefit.
The Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum still preserves the unique history of Orderville and is open by appointment during the winter months and during summer months, Fridays and Saturdays, 12–5 PM. The DUP will be available 12–5 PM on Saturday the 15th.
Soup Town Days 475 N State Street, April 15th @ 12 PM!
