Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts facts for kids
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| Established | 1987 (built 1856) |
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| Location | Liberty Park 600 East 900 South Salt Lake City, UT 84105 |
The Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts is a special place in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is managed by the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. Since 1987, it has been the permanent home for Utah's official collection of folk art. This museum is the only one in the United States that shows only folk art made by people living in its state.
The museum is a place where Utah's many different artists and communities can share their unique folk art. This includes amazing crafts, traditional music, and lively dance. Besides changing exhibits, the museum also hosts yearly concerts and fun, hands-on workshops. It also keeps an archive of recordings and photos that show Utah's folk art and traditional culture. The Chase Home Museum has three main galleries and one gallery for special, temporary exhibits.
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History of the Chase Home
In 1847, a man named Isaac Chase came to Utah with the Mormon pioneers. He was very good at building things. He quickly built a sawmill and a gristmill (a mill for grinding grain) near the new settlement of Salt Lake City. In the early 1850s, Mormon leader Brigham Young became Isaac Chase's partner in his successful milling business.
Around the same time, Isaac Chase built a two-story house made of adobe bricks. This house was near his mills on a large farm. The Chase Home has a traditional design with a hallway through the middle. The adobe bricks were made right behind the house! Over the years, the house was changed a bit. A kitchen was added to the back, and a two-story porch was built on the front. This porch gave the house a fancy Greek Revival style.
The Chase Home was a popular spot for pioneers, church leaders, and young people looking for fun. In 1882, the farm was given to the State of Utah. It then became known as Liberty Park.
What is Folk Art?
Folk art is art made by everyday people. It often shows the traditions, beliefs, and skills of a community. It's usually passed down through families or groups. The Chase Home Museum is the only museum in the U.S. that focuses on folk art made by people living in its state.
Native American Folk Art
A big part of the museum's collection comes from Utah's Native American people. They use natural materials like wood, willow, buckskin, beads, porcupine quills, and shells. They create beautiful items such as baskets, cradleboards, clothing, jewelry, kachina dolls, drums, and flutes. Utah is home to several Native American tribes. These include the Goshute, Northern Ute, Paiute, Shoshone, Ute Mountain Ute, and Athabaskan-speaking Navajos.
Folk Art from Around the World
The museum also has many items made by people who moved to Utah from other countries. These are people who came through immigration and refugee programs. When people move, some traditions might change. But the most important folk art, especially about religion, identity, and community celebrations, often stays strong. The Chase Home Museum has wood carvings, pottery, jewelry, baskets, textiles, and sculptures. These pieces have roots in European, Asian, Hispanic, Polynesian, and African cultures.
Occupational Folk Art
Another type of folk art at the museum is called occupational folk art. This means items made for use in a person's job. But these items also show the artist's personal style and skill. Sometimes, these pieces are made just to celebrate their job or the skills they learned. Examples in the collection include stone carving, blacksmithing, saddle making, horsehair hitching, and woodworking.
Where is the Museum?
The Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts is located inside Liberty Park. Liberty Park is in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the second largest park in the city. The museum is just west of the park's center.
See also
- List of museums in Utah
- List of the oldest buildings in Utah
- Mormon art
- National and ethnic cultures of Utah
- Folk Art
