--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Talmage, James Edward collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 22 number: 6 published: 1919-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Talmage, James E., "The Passing of the Deseret Museum," *Improvement Era* 22, no. 6 (April 1919): 527–531.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2206unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2206unse start_page: 527 end_page: 531 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1919-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2206unse publication_year: 1919 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1919, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Passing of the Deseret Museum The Passing of the Deseret Museum By James E. Talmage, Director In 1869, the institution that later came to be known as the Deseret Museum had its beginning in a small two-roomed adobe house, which stood near the southeast corner of the site now covered by the Deseret Gymnasium tennis courts, adjoining the majestic Hotel Utah. It was then known as the Salt Lake City Museum and Menagerie. Indeed, the little establishment was more menagerie than museum then and for several years following. As the collections increased, and as the inanimate exhibits came to overshadow the "zoo" feature, and more particularly because the diminutive building was needed for other purposes, the Museum was given a somewhat more roomy home in a two-story adobe structure on the ground now occupied by the Vermont building, nearly opposite the south entrance to Temple Block. The establishment of the Salt Lake City Museum and Mena- gerie was a private enterprise. In the late 70's the institution became the possession of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints; and for several years thereafter it was fostered directly by the Church as a means of public education. Then, in 1885, the custody of the Museum was vested in the Salt Lake Literary and Scientific Association, a corporate body founded to promote interest in educational pursuits. The name Deseret Museum had by this time been officially adopted. Through sale of the ground, in 1890, another removal be- came necessary; and the collections were housed in the Temple- ton building, then one of the newest and most nearly up-to-date structures in the city. In this, the third abiding place of the institution, such exhibits as the limited space would accommo- date were opened to the public in January 1891. In 1893 the Museum underwent a fourth installation, this time on the top floor of a new and relatively commodious struc- ture, erected by the Salt Lake Literary and Scientific Associa- tion, on First North between First and Second West streets, and known as the Church University building. Here the col- lections were exhibited from March 1893 to July 1903. Then 528 IMPROVEMENT ERA another change came about, and this entailed the suspension of the Museum as an open institution for a term of seven years. Title to the Church University building had been trans- ferred as part of an endowment gift to the University of Utah; and, when the University removed to its splendid campus on the East Bench, the ownership of the building passed to the State, thence to Salt Lake City, .and next to the Salt Lake City Board of Education, under whose administration it is now in service as the science and laboratory quarters of the West Side High School. In the meantime another change of proprietorship had been effected. Through the inability of the Salt Lake Liter- ary and Scientific Association to maintain the Museum, the title thereof reverted; and, at the Association's request, in November, 1899, the Church assumed its many liabilities and few assets. As to whether the Deseret Museum belonged to the one list or the other was at the time of transfer problematical. From July, 1903, to July, 1910, the collections remained in storage, though the Museum was by rio means dead, as unin- terrupted activity in adding to the collections was maintained, mostly through exchange with larger and richer institutions. Meanwhile the Vermont had been erected as a modern office building; though one entire floor, with parts of two other floors, and a section of the basement, had been arranged with a view to museum purposes. As stated, the Vermont covers the site of the building which constituted the second home of the Museum; and with due confession of sentimental emotions, be it said, that in the installation the Director had his offices established over the actual spot on which had once stood the old house of sun-dried bricks, wherein his worthy predecessors had striven so devotedly to keep the institution alive, under conditions of real poverty, both as to equipment and personal remuneration. On July 11, 1911, the Deseret Museum was again opened, and continued in active operation until the early part of August, 1918. At first a small admission fee was charged, with liberal provisions for exemption in the case of school classes and other organizations; but this was soon abolished, and the institution was made free to the public. In this brief treatment no attempt will be made to pay tribute to the devoted and sacrificing efforts of those who served the struggling institution throughout the first three decades of its This has been attempted though but partly accom- history. plished in an earlier writing. A fairly comprehensive account was published in August, 1911, as a well illustrated pamphlet, entitled "Deseret Museum Bulletin, New Series No. 1." See PASSING OF THE DESERET MUSEUM 529 also Improvement Era of that month, which issue is No. 11 of Volume 14. Since the installation in the Vermont building, the Director has been ably assisted by Sterling B. Talmage, B. S. as Curator, upon whom indeed has rested the greater responsibility in the actual operation of the Museum, and to whose service and skill the effective classification of the exhibits is largely due. We have been also aided by a succession of devoted assistants, none of whom, however, had any previous training in museum science. Among such are the following, named in the order of their employment: William Forsberg, Guglielmo Sangiovanni, who, by the way, had been the curator of the menagerie in the beginning, Brigham S. Young, George Hilton, and John U. Schow. In the office work, labeling, etc., efficient service has been rendered successively by Miss Eva Forsberg, Miss Louise Dansie and Miss Helga Pedersen. The Deseret Museum has received a liberal measure of approval and patronage. Since its reopening* in the Vermont building, it has constituted one of the many philanthropies of the miscalled "Mormon" Church. For the last three years of its history its registered visitors have averaged approximately 4,000 per month. For over a quarter of a century the Deseret Museum has been a member of the Museums Association, with headquarters in London; and likewise a member of the American Association of Museums since the establishment of the national organiza- tion in 1906. Material, particularly of a mineralogical value, has gone forth from the Deseret Museum to many of the great museums of America, including the National Museum, and to several of the most prominent museums in Great Britain and in the coun- tries of continental Europe. Years ago the institution had far outgrown its quarters; and as the utilization of increased space in the Vermont build- ing appeared impracticable, particularly so in view of the fact that, excepting the rooms already occupied for museum pur- poses, the building was poorly adapted to such needs, a decision was reached early inl918 to the effect that the building be vacated and that other accommodations be provided for the Museum collections. This change involves more than a mere removal and reinstallation; it means a distinct segregation into two separate series of exhibits. The Museum has never been exclusively an institution of science, history, or art. Nevertheless, it has been far from nondescript. The exhibits throughout are choice and of well classified display. There has been no throwing together of 530 IMPROVEMENT ERA unrelated material. Its invaluable collections of minerals, fos- sils, paleontological casts, models of plants, mounted birds, mammals and reptiles, its small but useful exhibits of mounted insects, its extensive and wide-range accumulations of shells, — corals, etc. these and many other aggregations were primarily brought together as teaching material, and to such purposes it is now intended to apply them. This division we shall desig- nate Section 1 of the Deseret Museum, as it has been displayed since July 1911. Section 2 comprises the splendid collections illustrative of the life of the Cliff Dwellers, including human remains and artifacts, and other extensive exhibits of an ethnological char- acter, particularly relating to the American Indians and the Pacific Islanders. Section 3 includes a large accumulation expressive of pio- neer life in Utah, and that of the pioneers before their intrepid invasion and successful subjugation of this part of the erst- while Great American Desert. This is distinctively the "Mor- mon" section of the Museum; and the story it tells is an endur- ing testimony to the vitality of the religious system professed and lived, as well in early poverty as in later plenty, by the people who are even now so imperfectly understood by the world at large. The radical change now inaugurated in the Deseret Museum status involves no breaking up nor scattering of the priceless collections, which have been garnered through a half century of devoted and unremitting labor; but instead, a cleavage of the material along a well defined and predetermined plane. The collections embraced in Section 1 referred to above have been transferred to the Latter-day Saints University, in connection with which institution adequate and otherwise suit- able space has been provided in the new Joseph F. Smith Mem- orial Building. This installation will be known as the L. D. S. University Museum. Sections 2 and 3 are provided for in a specially constructed building on Temple Block, adjoining the Bureau of Informa- tion. The ground floor is occupied by cases containing the ethnological material, while the spacious balcony is devoted to the display of pioneer and historical collections. Special provision has been made for the first log cabin built within the present boundaries of Salt Lake City. This interesting relic is kept intact, set up on a suitable platform under a pagoda shelter. This installation of Sections 2 and 3 will be known as the L. D. S. Church Museum. The Deseret Museum as a unified institution now passes into history. It would be ambiguous, and indeed unfair to the PASSING OF THE DESERET MUSEUM 531 institution's past, to continue its distinguishing name as that of either of the segregated divisions. And the writer's urgent and — long-standing request to be relieved of the directorship be- cause of the imperative demand of other duties has been — granted. So with this closing chapter of the Deseret Museum's history, he retires from museum service, though without the least abatement of interest in museums as institutions indispensa- ble to the adequate education and betterment of the people. He has had charge of the Deseret Museum since January, 1891. His services have been willingly rendered as a contribution of interest and devotion to the cause, and not for pecuniary com- pensation. The change means progress, not retrogression, enlargement not shrinkage. Each of the offshoots is set in fertile soil with favorable atmosphere, and it is not too much to hope and ex- pect that each shall surpass the record of the original, but now honorably terminated, Deseret Museum. Noble Words As I have wandered along life's weary road, I have looked for something that would ease my load, I have waited and listened with a silent dropped tear, When Words, Noble Words, say, "Lo, I am here." A black cloud hangs over. I am weary and sad, Bereft of my friends, the best that I had, Lonely and bleak as winter's cold snow. When Words, Noble Words, with cheer say, "Hello!" Words, Noble Words, like the opening of spring, With bright blooming flowers and birds on the wing, Come chirping to me and those who are dear. Words, Noble Words! What have I to fear? Like fire from the lips of the Shepherd and King, That made Bethlehem's plains like music ring, He commissioned his loved ones and sent them abroad, With Words, Noble Words, in the service of God. The cloud of night's darkness, that was seen in the sky, Has spent all its fury and forever gone by. Away, far away from envy and strife Come Words, Noble Words, from the Fountain of Life. Before closing my theme, just let me here say, The voice of the dear ones that have long passed away, Like songs of my youth, still hums in my ear Yes, Words, Noble Words, that comfort and cheer. Francis McDonald.