Natural History Museum of Utah
Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, overlooking Salt Lake City is the Natural History Museum of Utah at the University of Utah. It is here that you'll discover the Rio Tinto Center that was designed to showcase the diverse landscape and historic treasures of Utah.
This Museum sets a new standard for a Natural History Museum of the 21st Century. Since opening over 60,000 visitors admired the Museum that sits on a stunning 17-acre site, and was designed by Todd Schliemann of Ennead Architects. With over 41,300 square feet of gallery and education space, you'll discover more than imagined within these world-class collections in new exhibitions designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates. Among the exhibits are The Canyon where some Museum theater pieces will be performed. The re-envisioned Museum presents a fresh, fascinating and immersive journey through the natural formation of life and land around Salt Lake City and throughout the state of Utah.
The Natural History Museum of Utah's collections in the fields of earth sciences, biology and anthropology rank among the largest and most comprehensive in the western United States. The Museum's exhibitions showcase more of Utah's treasures on display, of which, many of these treasures have never been before. When visiting the Natural History Museum of Utah you'll find 9 dedicated, thematic exhibition galleries explore the Sky, Native Voices, Life, Land, First Peoples, Lake (Great Salt Lake), Past Worlds, Our Backyard and Utah's Futures. Each gallery draws from several scientific disciplines and collections, as well as from the humanities.
Within the Rio Tinto Center you'll also find several free areas, which include The Canyon, boasting expansive views of the valley; the Museum Store; and the Museum Café, with indoor and outdoor seating, plus access to the University of Utah’s Wi-Fi network.
We look forward to discovering more of Utah's treasures at the Natural History Museum of Utah's Rio Tinto Center!
By Eric Worley
Getting There:
To explore exhibits and events at the Natural History Museum of Utah's Rio Tinto Center visit www.nhmu.utah.edu.
