By Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune -- The state's premier museum has reordered its name to the Natural History Museum of Utah as it puts the finishing touches on its new 163,000-square-foot home at the mouth of Red Butte Canyon in advance of its Nov. 17 dedication. (The museum officially opens on Friday, Nov. 18, and won't charge admission that day.)
The museum is still clearing out of its old home in the historic Thomas building on the University of Utah's Presidents Circle, installing exhibits and transferring collections to the copper-clad Rio Tinto Center, which is seeking gold certification under LEED standards for environmentally sound construction. A gala event, open to the public, will follow the dedication.
