Newell K. Whitney Ashery

In 1824, Newel K. Whitney established an ashery on the Kirtland flats. The ashery was run by his business partner Sidney Gilbert until Gilbert left for Missouri in 1831. Whitney took a more active role in running the ashery until 1832, when he donated the ashery to the Church. Money from the ashery helped pay off loans, finance the construction of the Kirtland temple, and print Church literature. A revelation received on April 23, 1834, returned the ashery to Whitney as part of his “stewardship” and as “a blessing upon him and his seed after him” (Doctrine and Covenants 104:39–40).
 
Asheries were common on the American frontier. In asheries, ash from wood burned on-site and gathered from nearby households was turned into potash, an alkali that was used in manufacturing many products, including soap, pottery, and bleach. Thanks to its wide variety of applications, potash was a valuable commodity that sold for high prices. As a result, many merchants like Newel K. Whitney also owned asheries.

With the influx of Saints arriving in Kirtland, many people were seeking employment, and the Whitney Ashery became a place where numerous young men worked. Orson Hyde, one of the original members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, worked in the Whitney Ashery in his early twenties.  
 
Today an accurate replica of the Whitney Ashery sits on the location of the original and is likely the only example of a reconstructed ashery in North America. 

What to Expect

The ashery is an optional part of the guided tour offered by missionaries at Historic Kirtland. The short path (0.1 miles) leading to the sawmill and Whitney Ashery is moderately sloped and covered with wood chips. Occasional tree roots, uneven terrain, and other tripping hazards may make the walk challenging for visitors with mobility limitations.

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