It's Bizarre To Think That Utah Is Home To The World's Largest Collection Of Artifacts On A Single Subject, But It's True
By Courtnie Erickson|Published October 24, 2022
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Here in Utah, we have some pretty incredible museums. For example, there’s the Utah Museum of Natural History and even the little-known Tooele Valley Museum. But, even with all of these museums scattered around the Beehive State, it is still bizarre to think that Utah is home to the world’s largest collection of artifacts on a single subject. And what is that subject you may be asking? Well, the pioneers of course!
Located on Main Street in Salt Lake City is the Pioneer Memorial Museum, also known as the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum. This museum is known for housing the world’s largest collection of artifacts on a single subject – the pioneers.
The state of Utah and many of its charming small towns owe their existence to the pioneers. In 1847, the pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came into the Salt Lake Valley and worked tirelessly to make it their home.
As you walk through this museum, you’ll find thousands of articles, displays, collections, and more that tell a story and showcase the life of these courageous individuals decades ago.
You will find artifacts that teach you more about this group of people from when they entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 until the first transcontinental railroad line was completed in Promontory Point, Utah in 1869.
The type of artifacts and displays you will see vary quite drastically. For example, you will see treasured items that the pioneers carried across the plains and that helped them build a life despite having very little.
You will also see quite luxurious items such as pianos or crystal dishes. Some items are very ornate and decorative, likely very treasured and prized items for many pioneers.
Give yourself plenty of time to explore this museum as there are three floors and a basement. There are also areas like the clothing room, medical room, and carriage house that you won’t want to miss and that are packed with extraordinary displays and exhibits.
The Pioneer Memorial Museum is open Monday through Friday and you’ll certainly want to bring your entire family along as admission is free. Also, if you want to learn more about a specific pioneer’s ancestors and search for documents that may contain their information, you can visit the history department in this museum, which is also open Monday through Friday. This section of the museum contains more than 42,000 pioneer histories.
Have you ever been to the Pioneer Memorial Museum in Salt Lake City? Did you know this museum houses the largest collection of artifacts on a single subject? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments! And, if you want to learn more about this Utah museum, visit its website.
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