Church History Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1984 |
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| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Type | History and art museum |
The Church History Museum is a special place in Salt Lake City, Utah. It's a museum run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can find it right across from Temple Square.
This museum is full of amazing things! It has art, old tools, clothing, and furniture. These items tell the story of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The story goes back almost 200 years.
Many friendly volunteers help at the museum. They give tours and put on programs. The museum is open six days a week. The best part? It's completely free to visit!
Contents
Discover the Museum's History
The Church History Museum opened its doors on April 4, 1984. A woman named Florence S. Jacobsen helped make it happen. She was a church leader and loved history.
When it first opened, the museum had lots of space. Early exhibits showed paintings about the Church's early days. It also featured art by modern artists.
In 2012, The New York Times newspaper wrote about the museum. They said it showed how the Church's history is connected to American history. It showed how practical the early members were.
Special Exhibits and Renovations
In 2013, the museum celebrated the 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America. They showed 23 paintings by a famous artist, Norman Rockwell.
The museum closed for a year in 2014. It was updated and remodeled. When it reopened in 2015, it had exciting new things.
You can see a copy of the Newel K. Whitney Store. This was an important place in early Church history. There's also a special stone that Joseph Smith used. He used it to help translate the Book of Mormon.
A cool 220-degree theater takes you to a forest in New York. This is where Joseph Smith said he saw God and Jesus Christ. The museum also has the printing press that made the first Book of Mormon in 1830. You can even see a chair made by Brigham Young! He built it before he joined the Church.
In 2020, the museum closed for a while. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
International Art Competition
Since 1987, the museum has held an "International Art Competition." This happens every 3 to 4 years. Artists from all over the world can send in their artwork. The art must be about Church or gospel themes.
In 2019, the 11th competition took place. Artists from 26 countries sent in nearly 1,000 artworks. The museum chose 151 pieces to display. Some artworks are bought for the museum's collection. Artists also win awards for their amazing work.
The Museum Store
The Museum Store opened with the museum. It helps support the exhibits and programs. You can find many reproduced artworks there. These are from the museum's large collection.
Artists like C. C. A. Christensen and Minerva Teichert are featured. You can also find works by modern artists like Walter Rane. The store also sells historical toys, books, and pioneer-era clothing. You might even find a bonnet!
See also
- Mormon art
Images for kids
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The Church History Museum building in Salt Lake City.
