Utah Museum of Natural History - Salt Lake City, Utah - Museum features natural history exhibits with a focus on Utah's natural history

Located on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, the Utah Museum of Natural History features exhibits that center around the earth's natural history. These exhibits consist of over 1.2 million objects that are used for research and education, as well as exhibits. Many of the educational studies of these objects consist of geological, biological as well as cultural diversity, in addition to the history of living systems and human cultures within the Utah region.

The Utah Museum of Natural History has objects in its collection with focus in the areas of anthropology, archeology, biology, and geology. The exhibit area of the museum occupies nearly 23,000 square feet of the first two floors of the university's George Thomas Building.

The major exhibits of the museum include the Cooper Hall of Anthropology which features exhibits of Utah's prehistoric cultures and sites in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. Another anthropology exhibit is the 60-foot replica of the 4,000-year-old pictograph panel from Utah's Horseshoe Canyon.

The Earth Science Gallery features four cast skeletons of Jurassic dinosaurs from central Utah area; in addition you'll find 11 fossilized skeletons of mammals, and two large murals. Some additional exhibits of the Earth Science Gallery include depictions of geological phenomena, as well as the formation of rocks with specimens visitors can touch.

The Norton Hall of Minerals features a walk-in recreation of a 19th century Park City lead-zinc-silver mine, as well as exhibits that educate visitors about Utah's mining heritage.

The Life Science Halls offer exhibits of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates of Utah; there are also marsh and mountain dioramas.

The Quinney Dinosaur Discovery Hall features a dinosaur dig, and a fossil preparation lab.

The Utah Museum of Natural History offers educational programs that work closely with area schools. The Museum's educational programs include, school tours, a junior science academy, adult and family programs, as well as many other educational opportunities.

Some of the programs featured for families include Free Family Mondays, Science Movie Night, and workshops aimed at families. There are also several programs that have a focus especially for children, such as the summer camp programs, Discovery Classes, and themed birthday parties.

Examples of the Utah Museum of Natural History birthday party themes include Dinosaur Detectives for children ages 4 - 7, and Super Sleuths for children 8 - 12.

In addition the museum offers an outreach program with its museum on the move that consists of 21 kits containing specimens, activities, graphics, text panels and teacher instruction. Some addition outreach programs include, Traveling Treasures, and Scientist in the Classroom, plus more.

The museum also has a gift shop located within the museum, featuring Natural Science themed merchandise.

The Utah Museum of Natural History is open 7 days a week all year long, with the exception of major holidays. Some minor holidays the museum may have varied or alternative hours.