Rededication of Capitol to mirror 1916

But unlike dedication, Mormon Tabernacle Choir to sing today

Published: Friday, Jan. 4, 2008 12:21 a.m. MST
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Much as the newly renovated Utah State Capitol preserves the design and colors of the original, the formal re-dedication program today also mirrors — to some extent — the formal opening back on Oct. 9, 1916.

"The vision for the program really follows the vision of the whole project," said Wilson Martin, state historic preservation officer.

The newly restored Capitol is such that if Richard K.A. Kletting, architect of the original structure, were to see it today, he would exclaim, "Oh, it's all here," Martin said.

"It actually looks very modern, even to our eye today, even though it was planned clear back in 1914-15 and executed in 1916," he said. "So the theme of preservation of our past is retold from every angle, from the paint, to the murals, to the windows, to the light, even to the program."

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"What we tried to do is let history help us with the program itself," said Allyson Gamble, director of communications for the Capitol Preservation Board.

There are some differences this time, most notably the closed dedication ceremony and invitation-only reception tonight. For the original dedication, which was open to the public, more than 30,000 people attended.

There will be public fireworks over the rededicated Capitol at 5:15 p.m. The first public tours of the Capitol will begin Saturday, with events every day for a week.

Another difference between the two events will be — at least according to plan — the performance of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during the rededication. The choir was supposed to perform at the original dedication but did not end up singing because the crowd filled their reserved seats in front of the governor's stand, according to a Salt Lake Tribune story from 1916.

Joined by the Orchestra at Temple Square, International Children's Choir and Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band, the choir will perform the specially commissioned "Anthem for a New Year: Into the Light," with words by Katherine Coles, Utah's poet laureate, and music by Kurt Bestor.

Otherwise, the program, which starts at 2 p.m. today, will closely resemble the original ceremony. It will be most apparent with the choices of speakers:

Recent comments

"They nailed it"!!!

Just like 1916...

Except the Dead Guy...

Holy Cow | Jan. 4, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.

Understand what you three fools are bickering about?

Does anyone... | Jan. 4, 2008 at 3:53 p.m.

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Michael Brandy, Deseret Morning News

The first public tours of the Capitol will begin Saturday, with events scheduled every day for a week.

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