Natural History Museum of Utah, Natural history museum in Salt Lake City, United States.
The Natural History Museum of Utah occupies the Rio Tinto Center, a 163,000-square-foot building on a 17-acre campus in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. Its curving facade rises from left to right, clad in horizontal copper-colored panels above smooth tan stone, with a projecting canopy over a glazed entrance. A round structure on the east side houses the Native Voices gallery.
The museum was founded in 1963 on the University of Utah campus and shaped the city's scientific landscape for decades. In 2011 it relocated to a new copper-clad building in the foothills, significantly expanding its capabilities.
The museum presents exhibitions dedicated to Utah's eight federally recognized Native American tribes, showcasing their traditions through artifacts and personal accounts. Visitors encounter the perspectives and experiences of these communities directly through the displays.
The building sits in the foothills with easy access and ample parking nearby. Plan for several hours to explore the different levels, especially if you have interest in geology or natural history displays.
The Rio Tinto Center's highest point is a round structure on its east side that houses the Native Voices gallery. The building was designed by Ennead Architects of New York City together with GSBS of Salt Lake City, while Ralph Appelbaum Associates designed the exhibits.
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