Utah in the Union: The Story of the 45th State

Officially Opening MARCH 3, 2010!!!

On Statehood Day, Monday, January 4, 2010, the Capitol Preservation Board will begin the process of installing a newly developed free exhibit of documents, memorabilia, educator materials, artifacts and program called Utah in the Union: The Story of the 45th State, celebrating Utah’s 1896 entry into the Union.

The building-wide exhibition will be open from March 2010 through January 2011.The exhibit is specifically designed for Utah students and visitors to the state and those particularly curious about Utah’s history.
By March 3, 2010 – the day Utah Territorial Delegate of Congress Joseph Rawlins introduced the Enabling Act to the House of Representatives in Washington D.C., pushing Utah into statehood – all historical objects, educational display cases and vintage photographs related to Statehood will be in place throughout all areas of the Utah State Capitol.
Exhibits feature several major pieces relevant to Utah history. Objects of interest include an original 45 Star flag to be placed in the Freedom Shrine on the first floor of the Capitol, as well as one of the original copies of the Proceedings Utah Constitutional Convention, published in 1896. In addition, there will be a new 7.5 x 6 topographical map of Utah taken from space, more than 30 historic photographs of Statehood celebrations, and an interactive timeline illustrating Utah’s seven attempts to join the Union.
Capitol Curator Judith McConkie, PhD, stated, “We are indebted to scholars and collectors who have gone before,” she said. “The Utah State Capitol seems, however, a fitting place for assembling a free and educational exhibit throughout the Capitol, especially for school children studying the history of Utah and visitors to our state.”
The Capitol Preservation Board would like to give a special thanks to those who have helped contribute to this exciting and worthy exhibition: The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church History Library, KUED, Utah State Historical Society and Archives, various state newspaper organizations and universities who have all contributed generously to the exhibition, helping to celebrate the 45th state.

The U.S.S. Utah Battleship Exhibit Continues

The free exhibition of the U.S.S. Utah battleship will continue to run until the beginning of February 2010. This exhibit, located on the 4th floor of the Utah State Capitol building, tells the story of the United States Navy’s largest battleship, later to become a training ship, which was to historically fall during the attack at Pearl Harbor.
Complete with beautifully arrayed display cases containing newspaper clippings, historical clothing, battleship artifacts and devises, and miniature replicas, as well as vintage photographs adorning the walls along the 4th floor galleries, this exhibit celebrates the history and significance of the U.S.S. Utah vividly.

No fee’s, appointments or tickets necessary. Just walk right in and view the exhibit at your own pace.
Check it out before it ends!!!!!!

U.S.S. Utah Brochure clippings.

This passage can be found inside the U.S.S. Utah exhibit brochure, available for free in the East entrance of the Utah State Capitol.
Because the image is hard to read, the contents are as follows:

The name of the United States Navy’s largest battleship, referred to as a dreadnought because of its compliment of enormous guns, was announced by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 from the pulpit of the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
Six years later, she was launched with the words, “I christen thee Utah! God Speed!” by Mary Alice Spry, the 18-year old daughter of Utah’s governor William Spray and who had just begun the ambitious project of constructing the new state house. Spry involved the children of Utah in the official commissioning of the ship—an event attended by the Tabernacle Choir and elected dignitaries—by asking each child for a ten-cent donation toward the traditional purchase of a full set of sterling silver serving pieces bearing the navy seal and Utah Scenes.
For more than two decades as part of the Atlantic Fleet, the ship’s crew knew hard work, danger, heroism and their fair share of fun. They stood at attention as well as at ease on a magnificent ship and until she was retrofitted and re-commissioned as what one historian called the “newest radio Frankenstein” of the Pacific—a target training ship—until she docked at Pear Harbor in December, 1941.

U.S.S. Utah exhibit Brochure!!

This brochure is available for free to all members of the Public and can be picked up at the East entrance of the Utah State Capitol next to the Visitor Services Center.

FRONT VIEW

BACK VIEW

U.S.S. Utah Still Open!!!!!

U.S.S. Utah Closing in February!
The FREE U.S.S. Utah exhibit has been extended until February 7th. This exhibition, located on the fourth floor of the Utah State Capitol building, celebrates the history and significance of one of the most famous battleships at Pearl Harbor.
With beautiful display cases containing newspaper clippings, clothing from crew members, battleship artifacts, and miniature replicas, as well as walls covered with historical photographs of the ship and its people, there is something for everyone.

Make sure you make it up to the Capitol to see this historically powered exhibit before it closes!

No fee’s, appointments or tickets necessary. Just walk right in and view the exhibit at your own pace.

Check it out before it ends!!!!!!

History Facts: From Arsenal Hill to Capitol Hill

In 1911, the Capitol Commission, created to oversee the building of the State Capitol, focused their efforts on choosing the location of the building.
They contracted one of the most celebrated landscape design firms in the country - the Olmsted Brothers of Brookline, Massachusetts. John C. Olmsted, the son of famed landscape architect Fred Olmsted, visited Salt Lake City. He drew a group of potential plans to transform what was then known as Arsenal Hill (the site of local munitions storage) to the Capitol Hill that we know today. Capitol architect Richard K.A. Kletting drew the final landscape plans and work on the Capitol commenced in 1912. Financial difficulties prevented the realization of Kletting’s original plans for the complex. Yet today some of the central elements of his initial designs are realized through the Capitol Preservation Project.

Read more of the story HERE!

New Christmas Choir photos.

Ability and Choice Services Choir sing inside the Rotunda of the Utah State Capitol

See more videos on our Youtube HERE!!!

Ability and Choice Services Christmas Choir Performance

The Capitol Preservation Board was honored to receive the beautiful talents of the Ability and Choice Services Choir today inside the Rotunda.
The choir performances began at 11 a.m. by the direction of Tracy Jones and her Assistant Director Merla W.
This choir works with the disabled adult program from the Ability and Choice Services. They preformed nine songs ending with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” where they invited the audience to join.
The Capitol Preservation Board would like to give their thanks and appreciation to this wonderful group for sharing their time and talents with us today.

Utah Press Association Case is here!

This case is located on the Basement level of the Utah State Capitol next to the Legislative Printing office and the Northwest public elevator. It tells the story of all newspapers created and established in Utah.


These pictures highlight the case.

Stay Updated about the Utah State Legislature

By clicking on the Utah State Legislature site, you will be able to interact and connect with important political information effecting you and the state you live in!

On this site you will :

View the 2010 General Session Page.
Learn about upcoming Bills.
Get to know your Legislators.
Read the Citizen's Guide.
And much more!!!

Fun for the Kids!! Bee Pillows make great Holiday Gift.

Be sure to pick up one of these fun, fuzzy friends! Each friend folds up into a stuffed animal or out into a pillow. Children love this super-soft twist on an ordinary pillow and stuffed animal. Take them with you on long trips to keep children occupied and make dozing in the car easier. The Bee Pillow comes in two sizes; large which folds out into an 18 in. pillow, or small 8 in. travel sized version.

Large Bee: $28.99 Small Bee: $15.99

History in the News: Utah woman blazed trail in state politics

By Marc Haddock
Deseret News

In 1896, Martha Hughes Cannon spent a total of $35 in the campaign that led to her election as a member of Utah's fledgling state Senate.
It was a seminal moment in U.S. politics. In that election, Cannon became the first woman in America to be elected to any state senate. The fact that she defeated her husband in the election made her victory part of Utah's folklore.
As a pioneer doctor, a champion of public health, and a polygamist's wife who was also a leader in the suffragist movement, Cannon carved out a unique place in the annals of the state's history.
The Martha Hughes Cannon Health Building was dedicated in her honor in 1986. An eight-foot bronze statue of her was installed in the Utah Capitol Rotunda in 1996, 100 years after her path-breaking election. The statue was recently re-installed on the Capitol grounds following the building renovation.
Photo researcher Ron Fox has culled the newspaper and other photo archives, and many of those photos can now be seen at the newspaper's Web site, http://www.deseretnews.com./

Martha Maria Hughes was 2 years old when her family converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and emigrated from Wales to New York. A year later the family crossed the Plains to Salt Lake City, burying Mattie's 21-month-old sister in an unmarked grave beside the trail. Her father died days after reaching Salt Lake City in September of 1861.
Martha Hughes was working as a schoolteacher at the age of 14 and worked her way through the University of Deseret as a typesetter for the Deseret Evening News and the Women's Exponent, an LDS Relief Society magazine.
After two years of pre-med studies, she was blessed and set apart by President John Taylor of the LDS Church to study medicine and headed off to the University of Michigan, where she graduated with a medical degree on her 23rd birthday, July 1, 1880. She studied for two more years, earning a degree in pharmacy and oratory.

See more pictures and read more of the story HERE!

Governor's Budget re-cap!

Information Used from the Senate Site.

Great Christmas Gift!!!!! Famous Capitol Ornaments are in.

Come and browse our selection of unique and beautiful Capitol ornaments. Each one depicts an aspect critical to the Capitol and its character. These ornaments are engraved with the year they were created, from 2003 to 2008. Our 2004 ornament kicks off the reconstruction and restoration of the Utah State Capitol Building. The 2006 ornament features the painting of the Caroline Bridge, hanging inside the Supreme Court Chamber of Utah’s Capitol.

Price: $5.99-$16.00

Show Honor with a Flag

Honor your Hero and show your patriotism with a flag that has flown over the Utah State Capitol. Each flag is sealed in its own plastic wrapping and comes with an official certificate. We carry 3x5 sizes of the American Flag as well as our own Utah State Flag.

Price: $25.99 Utah State Flag and $29.99 American Flag

more in the News: Utah Capitol architect resigning

ABC 4 News

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -
The executive director and architect of the Capitol Preservation Board is resigning.David Hart, who oversaw the $250 million renovation of the Utah Capitol, announced his resignation Tuesday.
Hart's last day will be Dec. 31.
He is leaving his job to join MOCA Systems, a Boston-based project management company, as a vice president and regional manager.
The company is opening a Salt Lake office and is expected to help build the federal government's nearly $2 billion spy center planned for Camp Williams.
Capitol Preservation Board spokeswoman Allyson Gamble will serve as interim director.

read more HERE!!

Big News: Utah Capitol renovation director quits!!!!

By Lisa Riley Roche
Deseret News



David Hart, who oversaw the $250 million renovation of the Utah Capitol during his decade with the state, announced his resignation Tuesday.
Hart, executive director and architect of the Capitol Preservation Board, said he joining MOCA Systems, a Boston-based project management company, as a vice president and regional manager.
The company is opening a Salt Lake office and reportedly will help with construction of the federal government's nearly $2 billion spy center planned for Camp Williams.
"I realized all the goals I had set had been achieved," Hart said. The Capitol renovation, which took four years, included a massive earthquake retrofit of the granite building.
Tuesday, he told board members, including leaders of all three branches of government, that they have reached an "important milestone," moving from renovators to preservationists.
After a closed session, the board appointed its spokeswoman, Allyson Gamble, to be interim director during a review of how the statehouse complex is run.
"We realize this is a change in direction, and we want to make sure we get it right," said the board's chairman, Lt. Gov. Greg Bell. The review could take several months, he said.
Although there has been some talk of changing the structure of the board, Bell said he doubted that would be recommended. Instead, he said, the review will focus on the role of the executive director and other staff.

Read more of the story HERE!!

The Utah State Capitol Commission by Richard Tholen

In 1909, acting as president of the duly authorized Capitol Commission, Utah’s
Governor William Spry issued the proclamation naming the commission members who
would ultimately preside at the 1916 ceremonies opening the Utah State Capitol.

The proclamation began: “WHEREAS, Under the provisions of Section 1, of
Chapter 64, Laws of Utah, 1909, the Governor is directed to appoint a Commission to
be known as the Capitol Commission . . . ” With that preamble, the governor announced
the other members of the seven-man Commission:
• Secretary of State C.S. Tingey
• Attorney General A.R. Barnes
• Apostle John Henry Smith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints and president of the Utah Constitutional Convention in 1895
• Mr. John Dern, banker and leading Salt Lake businessman
• Mr. C.E. Loose, Provo banker and a owner of mining and industrial
companies
• Mr. M.S. Browning, vice president of Ogden’s Browning Arms Company

The Commission appointed John K. Hardy, the governor's secretary, as "Acting
Secretary." David Mattson, the newly elected Secretary of State, succeeded C.D. Tingey,
and Anthon H. Lund was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of John Henry
Smith. Upon his release as a member of the Commission Mr. Tingey was named its
secretary Acting Secretary John K. Hardy.

Beginning in May of 1911, the Commission met regularly for the next seven years
to oversee numberless studies and proposals, the selection of an architect and other
contractors, the contracts for all participants, and enough acrimonious disputes to satisfy
even the most feisty politico. For example, only four months after the first meeting the
Commission published a Program of Competition for the selection of an architect.
The Commission served at its own expense with the exception of their secretary,
who received a modest $100.0T0 per month stipend. That amount was later increased to
$150.00 per month. Secretary Tingey kept meticulous minutes of the meetings. The record
provides a fascinating glimpse into history.

Just two and one half years from laying the cornerstone the Commission was ready
for a formal grand opening on October 9, 1916. In the evening a general public reception
was held – the guests being received by the governor and members of the Commission in
the State Reception Room. Estimates of attendance at the festivities put the number at thirty
thousand guests were received.

The Capitol Commission met for the last time on December 29, 1916, and Secretary
Tingey, presented its biennial report." Copies of the last annual report, dated January 4
1917, (when the Legislature convened) were to be bound, prepared and delivered to the
members. The minutes of that late December meeting are the last entry in more than 545
pages of commission minutes. They illustrate how diligently the Commission had worked.
They were and were faithful overseers of every aspect of Utah’s beautiful, new State
Capitol.

Capitol Preservation Board meeting

The Capitol Preservation Board meeting will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Utah State Capitol complex Board Room located on the East side of the Rotunda.
The Board, created in 1998 by Utah’s Legislature and Governor Leavitt, is headed by all three branches of government. Namely, the Governor, the Chief Justice, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House (or their appointees), the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the State Historic Preservation Officer and a number of legislators. Each member of the Board currently serves for the length of their term in office.

Learn more about CPB HERE!!

Volunteer to be a Capitol Docent

The Visitor Services Center at the Utah State Capitol would love your help! Volunteer docents lead visitors through the Capitol on exciting, creative tours. Volunteering as a docent is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Capitol and the activities that occur on Capitol Hill. Volunteers also provide a wonderful service to the community. To find out more about volunteering at the Capitol please call 538-1800 or send an e-mail to mailto:utahstatecaptioltours@utah.gov.

Click HERE for more info.

In the News: Utahns asked to help neighbors this weekend

KSL.COM
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Food Bank launched a massive food drive Friday aimed at helping your neighbor.
At a news conference in Salt Lake, speakers talked about how great the need is this year. One volunteer said things have become so bad, some people who donated a year ago are standing in the food line this year.
That's why Gov. Gary Herbert designated Saturday, Dec 5, as "Help Your Neighbor Day."
All people who are able are asked to donate a sack of canned food at any Smith's Food store or directly to the Utah Food Bank everybody in Utah will be able to have something to eat.

Read more HERE!

News From the Governors Office.

Governor, Lt. Governor Encourage Utahns to Participate in 'Help Your Neighbor Day'

SALT LAKE CITY - The Governor's Office is joining forces with religious and civic leaders across the State to encourage all Utahns to help their neighbors by donating a grocery bag of canned food to support those in need this holiday season.
Governor Gary R. Herbert has formally designated Saturday, Dec. 5, as "Help Your Neighbor Day." Lt. Governor Greg Bell will read the declaration, which cites an increasing demand for services during the winter months, at a Friday news conference at the Utah State Capitol.
Items can be delivered to any Smith's location statewide, the Utah Food Bank (3150 South 900 West) and regional food banks and emergency food banks throughout Utah.
"As Utahns, we truly are blessed this holiday season," Governor Herbert said. "But there are still those among us who are facing challenges. Lt. Governor Bell and I ask that all Utahns think of their neighbors during this season of giving and reach out to them this Saturday."

WHO: Lt. Governor Greg Bell, the Utah Food Bank and religious and civic leaders from the Alliance for Unity
WHAT: Will announce "Help Your Neighbor Day" in Utah and ask that all Utahns donate a bag of canned food to those in need on Saturday, Dec. 5
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.
WHERE: South steps of the Utah State Capitol

Read more HERE!!

In the News: State Senator Scott McCoy resigns

ABC 4 News
Reported by: Chris Vanocur

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Scott McCoy is resigning his position in the Utah State Senate.ABC4.com was the first to break this story early Tuesday afternoon.His resignation is effective Friday, December 4th. McCoy is the state senate's only openly gay member.In a statement released to ABC 4 News, McCoy said:
“I’ve been honored to serve the citizens of Utah and of District 2 for the last four years. My time in the Senate has been profoundly rewarding, but also an enormous personal sacrifice. The senators and representatives of Utah really make a terrific commitment of their time for the benefit of this state. It’s not just during the 45 days of the session. It’s every day and night. It’s during interims and constituent phone calls. My hat is off to my 103 colleagues who make this sacrifice day in and day out, every year.
“I’ve personally come to a crossroads in my career where I need to devote my full time and energy to the practice of law. To do any less is a disservice to my firm and my family. Unfortunately, I simply cannot find the necessary time to be a successful attorney and give the time and energy to fully represent the residents of my district.
“I’m very proud of the work I was able to accomplish as a Senator. We changed important policies, opened many minds, and broke down many barriers. Certainly, there is much more to be done. But for now, I need to leave that work in other capable hands.”
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker expressed his appreciation to Senator McCoy, saying he has been a strong, articulate force in the State Senate. Becker also gives his full support to senior staff member Ben McAdams who shows interest in seeking to fill Scott McCoy's senate seat.

Read it HERE!!

More about U.S.S. Utah!!

U.S.S. Utah Exhibit Opens at the Capitol

A special exhibit about the U.S.S. Utah opened on March 9, 2009 at the Capitol and will remain there until December 7, 2009. The exhibit is the first of its type since the re-opening of the Capitol in January of 2008. It is an effort of the Capitol Preservation Board staff, the Fort Douglas Military Museum, and interested individuals. Its opening marks the U.S.S. Utah’s 100th anniversary year. The production of the exhibit was sponsored by a generous contribution from Ancestry.com, a part of the Generations Network.

The original design of the Capitol included gallery space for exhibitions mounted by the Utah Art Institute. The law governing the Institute was a bill referred to simply as the Art Bill of 1899. Written and sponsored by Alice Merrill Horne, the bill created a mechanism, the first in the country, for sponsoring arts education in schools. It also made provision for sponsoring artists in Utah by purchasing and exhibiting the visual arts. The galleries on the Fourth Floor were designed, together with a Board Room, for the Art Institute. As part of the renovation of the Capitol, the Fourth Floor Galleries will feature rotating exhibits, some curated by the Capitol Preservation Board Office staff, some by visiting and collaborating museums and individuals. All exhibits will feature educator materials for pre- and post-visit (as well as classroom) activities for 4th and 7th graders whose curricula includes Utah History and Civics. This exhibit opens that program.

Find out more HERE!!