Families, friends and natural history lovers everywhere have a reason to celebrate as The Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City is opening its doors to the public this Saturday.
In response to funding received from Salt Lake City’s Zoo, Arts and Parks program, the museum is waiving its usual $11 dollars entrance fee on Sept. 29. While tickets don’t cost anything the museum staff strongly recommends that participants reserve their tickets in advance at their website www.nhmu.utah.edu.
The funds allow the museum to open its doors free of charge to the public four days each year. Because of such popular demand the free days receive, the museum does not permit groups.
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[/media-credit]It is a unique opportunity presented to potential guests. Usually only Museum Charter members and students, faculty and staff of the University of Utah get in for free. Even 3-year-old children usually have an $8 admission charge.
The museum offers visitors an intimate look at the history of Utah with such exhibits as “Past Worlds,” “Native Voices,” “First People” and many others.
The event will draw a lot of attention to the museum’s new Rio Tinto Center, which opened last November after four decades at the previous location.
It promises to be a busy day for the museum, so visitors are also encouraged to think ahead about parking.
The day is being held in partner with the Smithsonian magazine’s “Museum Day Live!” a national event with participating museums spread across the country. According the their website, the Smithsonian magazine’s national event drew more the 350,000 visitors to museums across the country.
Museum enthusiasts can print a voucher at Smithsonian magazine’s website and be granted free admission into several museums all over Utah. A complete list of participating museums can also be found at their website.
“There are more than 150 certified museums in Utah with collections that run the gamut from ancient fossils to avant-garde artwork,” Margaret Hunt, director of Utah Arts and Museums, said in a press release. “On Sept. 29, we encourage everyone in the state to visit a museum and enjoy Utah’s wealth of cultural treasures.”
