Museum of Utah director outlines tribal consultation and 'From Time Immemorial' exhibits set to open June 2026
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Summary
Tim Glenn, director of the Museum of Utah, told the committee the new state museum (opening June 2026) will include a 'From Time Immemorial' indigenous gallery with tribal panels and a theater featuring short videos from each of Utah’s eight federally recognized tribes; he described government-to-government consultation and a plan not to remove items from tribal partners.
Tim Glenn, director of the Museum of Utah, briefed the Native American Legislative Liaison Committee on Nov. 20 about the new state museum under construction in the North Capitol Building and its tribal engagement strategy.
Glenn said galleries will open in June 2026, the museum will be free and will house state collections and the Division of Indian Affairs offices. ‘‘We came to this sort of landing point for the big ideas for the museum,’’ he said, adding staff held more than 50 community meetings and 15 in-depth focus groups and engaged tribes on a government-to-government basis.
A dedicated ‘‘From Time Immemorial’’ theater will let visitors select 3–4 minute videos representing each of Utah’s eight federally recognized tribes; each tribe will also have a dedicated panel summarizing its history with links to deeper digital content. Glenn emphasized the museum’s goal not to ‘‘take from the communities’’ and said the museum plans to loan or display materials from partners where appropriate rather than remove artifacts from local institutions.
The committee viewed a video excerpt about the Paiute restoration gathering and powwow that emphasized cultural resurgence after federal termination and restoration acts. Legislators praised the museum’s consultation process and said the new museum will be a cultural asset for the Capitol complex.