Pioneer Memorial Museum

300 North Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, USA

Address:	300 North Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, USA
Phone:	+1 801-532-6479
Site:	dupinternational.org
Rating:	4.7
Working:	9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–8PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM Closed

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 18

Melissa Clements

I visited this museum on a field trip when I was in elementary school and could hardly remember it. Lately, my husband and I have been super into finding our ancestors and learning their stores. We decided it was time to visit this museum. It has free admission as well. The museum was easy enough to find, but we werent sure where to park. We didnt see a parking lot, so we parked on a nearby street for 2 hour parking. Later, when walking out, we saw a small parking lot with around 5-7 parking spaces directly north of the museum, FYI. You get to it from the road directly east of the museum (turn into what looks like an alley and it will open up to the small parking lot). We walked around to the front or south side of the building, and noticed the ramp for strollers/wheelchairs was on the west side. My husband decided he just wanted to carry the stroller up the stairs instead of walk clear around the building for the ramp. The front doors are pretty narrow. Our stroller barely fit. I didnt see a wheelchair/handicap button to push. We entered and were greeted by two friendly women sitting behind the front desk area. One of the ladies gave us a map of the museum, explained it to us, and asked if we were looking for anything in particular. They had a free coloring book for Pioneer Days and a free Days of 47 newspaper activity thing which we took. We walked into the first room of the museum and noticed it was jam-packed full of stuff. Pictures of pioneers are all over the walls covering every inch of the museum. There are different glass cases with lots of pioneer clothing, blankets, hats, weapons, tools and a lot more in them. Every item in the glass exhibit cases is labeled with a little piece of paper in front of it, and most included names of who the artifact belonged to. While we were in the first room, another woman came in and asked if we needed help finding anything. We started talking to her, and she brought out a binder that had names of which pioneers are pictured on the walls. We looked up two ancestors in the binder and she gave us directions where to find the pictures. It was difficult to find the elevator and bathrooms, and to find our way around. They could use some helpful signage. We were able to find some pictures of our ancestors and some other neat things like John Moyles wooden leg (a famous pioneer who walked 20 miles each week with a wooden leg to Salt Lake City from Alpine to work on the Salt Lake Temple). This museum is so rich with pioneer heritage. It honestly was overwhelming how much stuff they have in there. Definitely a great place to learn more about pioneers if you have some time. We spent an hour or two inside and could have spent weeks with how many things they have to see. We had a great experience here.

Chad Carlson

Unbelievable collection. Hghlights include the snowshoes of Jim Bridger, a buffalo robe, and a leather mask worn by a Swedish immigrant to use as she crossed the desert to Salt Lake. The thing I like most about this museum is everything is authentic, like a museum should be----no kids games, no holograms, no bells and whistles. The only criticism I have is that the descriptions on the objects are either very short or non-existent. And its generally disorganized , it would be better if they pulled some of the better exhibits and give them a proper highlight rather than just kind of throw everything together.

Margit Mueller-Merkey

It is always a great experience to go to the pioneer memorial museum. Everytime there is a person I have not seen before I talk to. I get great information this way about certain things the person has knowledge of. They are so incredible nice and show you what they taking about. There is so much in this museum that it is a good thing to come back to it. The stories from some people are incredible and when you focus everytime on something different you will see a lot more than others!

Adam Worthington

This is the best museum I have ever been to. The sheer volume of antiques, relics, and photos make you feel like youve taken a time machine to the 1850s, and every item tells a fascinating story. If you are descended from pioneers, odds are youll find your ancestors somewhere in the building. I found two of my own. Theres even a scavenger hunt for kids, so the whole family can enjoy it. Loved it! :)

Margaret Horton

My kids thought this museum was super interesting. This museum has so many different things from the past. My teenagers were "freaked" out by the old black and white pictures of the pioneers who look "ghost-like" They call it the freaky pioneer museum and love taking their cousins and youth groups there. Best part is, that it is free. They accept donations when you walk in and is encouraged.

Kim Jarvis

I love the collection on display. Such a lovely variety and interesting items. The short movies are enjoyable and give your legs a break if you are there for a long time. It is well organized and the volunteers are delightfully chatty. I do feel that the display boxes are a bit over stuffed and there are quite a few repeated items, but we enjoyed the visit. There is a small cute gift shop too.

Pedro Alvarez Concepcion

Impresionante como los decendientes de los pioneros mormones que llegaron al valle de Salt Lake conservaron tan disímiles cantidad de objetos de estas primeras familias.

Kyle Clements

So much history in one place! My wife and I stopped by to tour the museum before heading over to the Capitol Building. We were shocked to see just how many artifacts were here, even overwhelmed. I would like to have searched for artifacts that belonged to my own ancestors but it sounds like the DUP dont have a searchable database.

Mark Northcott

I visited this place on a whim and I was not dissapointed. This place has collected so much from the early settlers and it is amazing to see what they brought with them (Steinway Pianos). To have covered wagons so close you can touch them. A must see. The staff were also so helpful.

Daniel Bowman

Lots to look at here. If you are like me and like to read all the displays, plan on spending some time here. Great resource for learning about Utah history. Lots of displays and artifacts. Parking is kind of tricky though.

DeAnn Clinger

I came here with my niece and we were so pleasantly surprised. Room after room of pioneer belongs. We could of stayed all day. Its a beautiful building near the capitol. Id highly recommend. A wonderful place.

Andrew Cutler

Second best collection of wreaths made of human hair I have ever seen. Super helpful staff, lots of primary documents, and compelling stories of early women on the frontier.

Sharon Rich

We were told at the info center that you were open. I am on oxygen and walked from the capitol. Not happy! Update your brochure that says you are open on Sunday.

Giorgio Raimondi

Very big (3 floors), full of interesting artefacts and traditional tools and you can observe everything through cristal clear glass.

Reed Hepler

FANTASTIC! So many beautiful artifacts and collections. I very much enjoyed playing the pump organs.

BJ Nelson

They have a wide array of documents, pictures, and artifacts of the pioneers. I plan on visiting again!

Ruth Larsen

This museum is full of early Mormon artifacts. The collection is beautiful and quite extensive.

Pandora Peckne

Wasnt impressed with the dirty looks we got when we walked in. Cool historic pieces tho