Kennard recently contacted Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson to inform him of the breach of contract. The former curator also alleges that some artifacts have been destroyed by a leaky roof. Dahl, meanwhile, says the leak was fixed long ago and no artifacts were destroyed.

Dahl organized the meeting between the park and city. Neither the city nor the state has talked about a contract violation with the park.

Patrick Thronson, spokesman for Anderson, said the city lent the artifacts with the agreement that they would be cared for. He said the city was alerted a couple of weeks ago "that this could be a potential issue, and there may be a violation of that agreement."

"They're historic artifacts from the city's fire department — captains' helmets, equipment, uniforms, many of which ... national organizations and museums have been interested in," he said. "They are rare in terms of what exists in other areas of the country in that era of firefighting."

The group members disapprove of the 12-acre, 50-year land lease and say the private foundation that now guides the park is failing to protect the area's historical value and setting.

Contributing: Linda Hamilton, Doug Smeath

E-mail: astowell@desnews.com