Utah cultural official outlines State History Museum opening, America250 plans and volunteer programs

Salt Lake City — Kat Potter, deputy director of the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, told listeners on the Utah State Library program "Utah Libraries Have You Covered" that the State History Museum will open in June 2026 and will include a climate‑controlled collections facility and public galleries in the North Capitol Building.

"We will have this beautiful state of the art collections facility in the basement level of the building, the North Capitol Building up on Capitol Hill," Potter said, adding that the main public gallery and an associated store should be available early in the calendar year with a museum opening scheduled for June 2026. She said some collections previously stored in basement spaces will move to the new facility for safer long‑term care.

Potter said the museum will display a range of artifacts, including the Mormon Meteor, a land‑speed record car from the Bonneville Salt Flats that has been in private hands and will be part of a gallery. "So people will be able to go in and not just see the Mormon Meteor, but learn more about it," she said.

Potter also outlined the department's role in America250, the national 250th‑anniversary initiative tied to the July 2026 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. "Our three pillars are, educate, engage, and unite," she said, describing statewide programming that will connect national history to Utah‑specific stories and invite community participation.

Among signature programs, Potter described "America's Potluck," run by a 20‑member, governor‑appointed commission staffed by the department, as a way to bring people together across differences through shared food. She said the commission has developed multiple signature programs and the department is implementing them statewide.

The department is emphasizing service and public participation. Potter said volunteers can join service projects coordinated through YouServe Utah, a division of the department that oversees AmeriCorps programming. She invited the public to record personal stories about service at america250.utah.gov and described flexible options for submissions: "You can talk for 15 seconds or 5 minutes."

A year‑long public challenge called Walk250 will encourage people to accumulate 250 miles by walking, biking or other movement and track progress online. Potter said tracking stickers are available at local libraries, Zions Bank branches and state parks offices.

Potter directed listeners seeking more information to the department hub at community.utah.gov, which links to divisional programs, and to america250.utah.gov for event and volunteer details. The host closed the program by noting services available through the Utah State Library, including services for the blind and disabled, the bookmobile and online resources at library.utah.gov.

Next steps: the department anticipates opening the museum in June 2026 and continuing America250 events through the anniversary year; specific event dates and volunteer opportunities are listed at america250.utah.gov.