| Church History Museum | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1984 |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah, USA |
| Type | Religious museum |
| Website | Official site |
The Church History Museum is the premier museum operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is opposite the west gates of the church's Temple Square. Until November 2008, it was called the Museum of Church History and Art.[1]
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The museum contains collections of art, artifacts, documents, photographs, tools, clothing and furniture from the almost two-century history of the LDS Church.
The Church History Museum also initiated and hosts the International Art Competition, where LDS and affiliated artists worldwide submit works of art in assorted mediums around changing Church and gospel themes. Submissions in 2011 will be presented as part of the Ninth International Art Competition, the theme for which is entitled Make Known His Wonderful Works.[2]
Outside of the curators, administrative and other staff, tours of the museum's exhibits and many of the museum programs are conducted by a large volunteer workforce of Latter-day Saints from the surrounding communities who begin serving in the museum on a rotational basis following a 16 consecutive week training[3].
The Museum Store was founded along with the museum to support the many exhibits and programs. Over 200 works of reproduced art have been made available to the general public from the Museum's and Church's extensive collections by prominent historical LDS artists such as Carl Christian Anton Christensen (C.C.A.), John Hafen, Valoy Eaton, and Minerva Teichert, in addition to contemporary LDS artists such as Clark Kelly Price, Walter Rane, Robert Barrett, Harry Anderson, and Arnold Friberg. The Store also sells historical toys, literature, statuary, and pioneer-era clothing(bonnets).
A major instigator of the creation of the church museum was Florence S. Jacobsen, a church curator and a former general president of the Young Women organization of the church. It was dedicated and opened on April 4, 1984.[4]
The Church History Museum is open seven days a week. Admission is free. The Museum Store is closed Sundays.
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