History
Natural History Museum of Utah welcomed the public into the George Thomas Building at the University of Utah. Since then, collections have been moved from the University’s academic departments and have expanded to more than 1.6 million artifacts via study, acquisition, and gifts. The Museum has established itself as the state museum of natural history, with significant exhibitions and education activities both on-site and statewide. They relocated to the Rio Tinto Center in November 2011, with entirely new display galleries, engaging public events, and cutting-edge collections care and research facilities. At this point in the Museum’s rich history, they recognize they are a work in progress.
Building
Utah’s Natural History Museum announces the opening of its new home, the 163,000-square-foot Rio Tinto Center. The facility, which is Salt Lake City’s foothills, is a communal achievement that will help the Museum’s objective of illuminating the natural world and the position of people within it.
The Rio Tinto Center
The Rio Tinto Center is nestled into the Wasatch Mountain Range’s foothills, Following the slopes of the hillside, blending into the surroundings. The structure is situated along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, a famous hiking and mountain bike trail that serves as the Museum’s “main street.”
Standing seam copper of 42,000 square feet covers the building’s façade, making it instantly identifiable. The copper was obtained from Kennecott Utah Copper’s Bingham Canyon Mine, situated across the Salt Lake Valley from the new Museum site. It is set in horizontal bands of varying heights to symbolize the stratified geological formations seen across Utah.
A Meeting Place
Visitors visit the Level 1 Foyer to buy tickets and sign up for activities. They then ascend the main staircase or take the elevator to the main lobby area of the Canyon. The Canyon is their central public and meeting room, standing three floors tall and including a collections wall showing over 500 pieces from the Museum’s collection.
Visitors may enjoy stunning Salt Lake Valley views from the Canyon, start exploring the Museum’s Trailhead to Utah system, access the exhibit galleries, or shop at the Museum Store.
Aside from the public portions of the Rio Tinto Center, the building has modern research and collection facilities for Museum scientists who manage the maintenance and curation of the Museum’s collection of over 1.5 million artifacts. The groups and research spaces are the heart of the institution, with sophisticated temperature control and other safeguards in place, as well as a venue for undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Utah.
Mission
The Natural History Museum of Utah sheds light on the natural world and its position.
Values
- They are a creative and dynamic organization.
- They attract and serve a wide range of people.
- They adhere to the most stringent professional and ethical requirements.
- They are responsible for their job.
- Their multidisciplinary scientific research and interpretation are current and inspire active inquiry.
- In all they do, they aim for and support sustainability.
- They seek and maintain meaningful collaborations.
Statement of Ethics
It is widely acknowledged that they benefit from high public confidence. To keep that trust, they must operate with integrity, caution, intellectual honesty, forethought, and proper disclosure. They seek to understand their objective better and establish fundamental ethical duties for NHMU personnel, volunteers, and other partners in their Statement of Ethics.
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
NHMU Summer Camps
At NHMU, they are dedicated to developing life skills in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) projects that encourage independence, foster cooperation, and inspire resilience and ingenuity while giving opportunities to experience the natural world. Their Summer Camp activities use the Museum’s exhibitions and collections and the breathtaking natural landscapes around their campus.
Your youngster is going to:
- Investigate the natural world from fresh angles
- Implement the scientific approach
- Participate in genuine interactions with Museum employees and artifacts
- Make new acquaintances and have a good time!
Birthday Parties at NHMU
The Museum is a great place to celebrate your child’s birthday.
Science-themed birthday parties for children aged 5 to 10 are conducted in their private party rooms, allowing party attendees to participate in hands-on activities and see their galleries and exhibitions.
Party bookings are now available.
Remove the Stress from Birthday Party Planning
Having your child’s birthday party at NHMU is Salt Lake Valley views from the Let them handle the logistics so you and your children can enjoy a genuinely unforgettable celebration.
Dinosaur Detectives
Children aged 5 to 7 years old should do the following:
There’s no doubt that this is a fantastic party for dinosaur fans! Learn about these remarkable animals by crafting a dinosaur headband, painting a dinosaur skin necklace, and digging a mini-quarry. In addition, attendees will be given a tour of their Past Worlds exhibition.
Science Lab
for children aged 7 to 10 years
Bring out the scientist in your kid! Their Science Lab party is brimming with fizzing, hands-on excitement. Make slime, play with chemical reactions, and make light wands. Prove that your scientists will have a great time at this party.
Details about Birthday Party Planning:
What exactly is included in the price?
- Electronic invites that are personalized
- Their Party Room is booked for 60 minutes, with an extra 40 minutes in their Community Room for cake and refreshments (both spaces are colorfully decorated and reserved for your program)
- Dedicated Party Staff to assist the scientific activity section of your program and ensure the success of your party.
- All party attendees will get free public entry to the Museum on the day of the event.
- Utensils, plates, glasses, and napkins (Refreshments not provided)
- For your shots, create a colorful, party-themed background.
- Hands-on activities for all ages
- Each child guest will get a treat bag (See below for add-ons to our goodie bags)
All Kids and Families Programs
Discover more about Salt Lake City.
Family Workshops
As a family, they can learn together!
Share your enthusiasm for the natural world with a youngster. Adults and children investigate, cooperate, and create together at NHMU Family Workshops. You will learn from professionals while developing new skills and exploring Museum resources.
Citizen Science
It is optional to be a scientist to engage in science. Citizen scientists with a sharp eye for observation and a love for nature have produced critical discoveries about the natural world throughout history.
For more information, visit their website or call them at (801)581-6927