The Church History Museum is the premier museum

Museum

A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...

 operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It is located in Salt Lake City, Utah

Utah

Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...

, and is opposite the west gates of the church's Temple Square

Temple Square

Temple Square is a ten acre complex located in the center of Salt Lake City, Utah, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In recent years, the usage of the name has gradually changed to include several other church facilities immediately adjacent to Temple Square...

. Until November 2008, it was called the Museum of Church History and Art.

Programs and features

The museum contains collections of art, artifacts, documents, photographs, tools, clothing and furniture from the almost two-century history of the LDS Church

History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is typically divided into three broad time periods: the early history during the lifetime of Joseph Smith, Jr...

.

International Art Competition

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.

Volunteer workforce

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.

Museum store

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

Carl Christian Anton Christensen

Carl Christian Anton Christensen was a Danish-American artist who is known for his paintings illustrating the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Of him it has been said that he "did more than any other person to capture the images of the history of Mormon migration to...

 (C.C.A.), John Hafen

John Hafen

-Biography:Hafen was born in Scherzingen, Switzerland. His parents joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and immigrated to Utah Territory. When they first came to Utah, the family lived in Payson. In 1868, Hafen began attending the 20th Ward Academy in Salt Lake City, where one...

, Valoy Eaton, and Minerva Teichert

Minerva Teichert

Minerva Bernetta Kohlhepp Teichert was an American painter notable for her art depicting Western and Mormon subjects, including a collection of murals depicting scenes from the Book of Mormon.-Biography:...

, in addition to contemporary LDS artists such as Clark Kelly Price

Clark Kelly Price

Clark Kelly Price is an artist who specializes in Latter-day Saint and Western United States depictions.Price was born in Idaho Falls. He holds a BA from Brigham Young University. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Tonga from 1964-1966....

, Walter Rane

Walter Rane

Walter Rane is an American artist who begin his career as primarily a book and magazine illustrator but now specializes in religious art....

, Robert Barrett

Robert Barrett

Robert or Bob Barrett may refer to:*Robert G. Barrett, Australian author*Robert Barrett , American illustrator* Bob Barrett, American football player* Bob Barrett , American baseball infielder...

, Harry Anderson

Harry Anderson

Harry Laverne Anderson is an American actor and magician.-Early life:Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Anderson was a street magician before becoming an actor.-Career:...

, and Arnold Friberg

Arnold Friberg

Arnold Friberg was an American illustrator and painter noted for his religious and patriotic works. He is perhaps best known for his 1975 painting The Prayer at Valley Forge, a depiction of George Washington praying at Valley Forge. He is also well known for his 15 "pre-visualization" paintings...

. The Store also sells historical toys, literature, statuary, and pioneer-era clothing(bonnets).

Museum history

A major instigator of the creation of the church museum was Florence S. Jacobsen

Florence S. Jacobsen

Florence Smith Jacobsen was the sixth general president of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1961 to 1972.-Early years:...

, a church curator

Curator

A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...

 and a former general president of the Young Women organization of the church. It was dedicated and opened on April 4, 1984.

The Church History Museum is open seven days a week. Admission is free. The Museum Store is closed Sundays.

External links

• Church History Museum : official site
• Museum of Church History and Art : government of Utah tourism site