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The Utah Museum of Natural History at the University of Utah is a wondrous, yet terribly overcrowded facility. More than a million remarkable artifacts from throughout Utah fill every nook and cranny of the aging building.
The KSL Editorial Board got a first-hand look recently at some of the artifacts.
-A 10,000 year old arrowhead.
-A sandal made from yucca more than a thousand years ago.
-The replica skull of an Allosaurus.
And there are so many more!
A plan is afoot to build a spacious new museum on 17 acres of land adjacent to Red Butte Gardens, literally on the edge of pristine lands. The conceptual drawings are impressive. What an asset it would be!
The public has until September 28 to comment on a draft Environment Impact Statement for the project. We encourage those with interest to do so. Then will come the task of raising $65 million to build it. About half the sum is already pledged.
While a number of significant cultural projects are on the drawing boards in Utah, and are seeking private and government financial support, KSL believes the new Utah Museum of Natural History should be among the highest priorities. A proper interactive repository for a million invaluable artifacts seems an essential investment.
