Discover the Museum of Utah

Written By Cameron Elliott

Museum of Utah | Utah Historical Society

Utah is home to world-class institutions like the Natural History Museum of Utah, which houses over 30,000 paleontological specimens, and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, featuring a collection of 22,000 original works. However, the Museum of Utah offers a unique focus: a dedicated space exploring the state's identity, history and people.

Located at the North Capitol Building in Salt Lake City, just steps from the historic Capitol Rotunda, the museum serves as the flagship for Utah’s cultural heritage. Free and open to the public, it invites the whole family to engage with the artifacts and stories that define the Beehive State through world-class exhibits and community-focused spaces.

Preserving the State’s Cultural Legacy

The museum’s arrival is the culmination of the State Capitol Complex Project, an ambitious vision for the Capitol grounds that has been decades in the making. Many of the artifacts on display were previously held at the historic Rio Grande Depot in downtown Salt Lake, but they have now been returned to a public-facing space where they can properly showcase the history of the region.

With over 900 objects on display, the collection provides a tangible link to the past, ranging from the state’s first official flag to items of pop-culture significance.

Four Permanent Galleries to Explore

Visitors can immerse themselves in the sweeping narrative of the state across four distinct, permanent galleries:

Becoming Utah: An exploration of the history, diverse cultures and early foundational stories of the region.
Building Utah: A look at the industries and infrastructure of the state.
Connecting Utah: A gallery dedicated to Utah’s community and culture.
Inspiring Utah: A celebration of the state’s innovations and achievements.

Iconic Artifacts on Display

Among the hundreds of historic artifacts across the galleries, here are a few highlights visitors can expect to see:

The Mormon Meteor III

This iconic Duesenberg Special racing car set a staggering land speed record of 161 miles per hour that went unrivaled for 50 years. That record was set in 1940 by a man named Ab Jenkins on the very same Bonneville Salt Flats that Utahns and tourists alike still race on to this day. The driver of the car, Jenkins, would shortly become mayor of Salt Lake City and serve a four year term shortly after setting the land speed record.

Marty McFly’s Cowboy Outfit

This 1950’s style cowboy outfit was worn by Michael J. Fox in “Back to the Future III.” The movie, featuring Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s adventure through an 1800’s Hill Valley, was shot partially in the legendary Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park on the Utah/Arizona border, adding to Utah’s rich filmmaking history.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Pennant

This pennant represents one of the 116 Civilian Conservation Corps voluntary work camps that operated in the state of Utah. These corps were responsible for building dams, reseeding ranges and working on state parks during the World War II. The program is hailed as one of the great successes of the “New Deal” era, and in no small part due to the hard work and industrious spirit of Utahns.

Exploring the "Peoples of Utah"

The museum is wasting no time with the debut of fascinating temporary exhibits, opening with “The Past is Personal,” an exhibit focusing on the history of our nation in the celebration of 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Utah Historical Society’s semiquincentennial project, “the Peoples of Utah Revisited” helps visitors broaden the lens on Utah’s history and shares the stories of the past through the present.

Plan Your Visit to the Utah State Capitol

Utah is a state known for looking toward the future, leading the nation in technology and energy innovation. Yet, that progress is rooted in a deep appreciation for tradition and those who came before. Whether you are a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, the Museum of Utah offers a profound look at what makes this state unique. Stop by the North Capitol Building today to experience the stories that define the heart of the American West.

About the Author – Cameron Elliott

Cameron Elliott is a journalist working in both traditional news and arts and culture editorial columns for Slug Magazine where he follows the zeitgeist of Salt Lake City. He is a transplant to Utah, originally from the far-east of New York, but he loves the people and the culture with the same fervor as a native Utahn.

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