Summer museum fun in Utah

Museum: n. A building, place or institution devoted to the acquisition, conservation, study, exhibition and educational interpretation of objects having scientific, historical or artistic value.

We can thank the Greeks for the original idea of museums. Way back then, these were centers connected to the Muses, created as a place to cultivate learning and the arts. The idea soon spread.One of the most famous museums of the ancient world was established by Ptolemy I in Alexandria some 200 years B.C. The first public museum was created in England in 1683 — the Ashmolean in Oxford. By then, the idea of collecting objects to study had become as important as the lectures and discussions of earlier museums.

It's a tradition that continues to this day.Utah has more than 200 museums that, as the Utah Office of Museum Services points out, "offer you a rich and diverse experience in a wide range of subjects — from art, culture and history to science, botanical gardens and zoos."Wherever you live in Utah, chances are very good that you are close to a museum, and chances are also very good that it will offer special summer programs to tickle your fancy, stimulate your imagination, stir your curiosity and evoke your creativity. Or you can plan your own fun, exciting, interesting, thought-provoking excursions to any of them.Here's a sample of what's happening at some of the museums in our area:

Benson Grist Mill

What: Renovated mill, pioneer village, agricultural equipment and more

Where: 325 State Road, Stansbury Park

When: Monday-Saturday

Ages: All ages

How much: Free.

Information/registration: 435-882-7678; www.bensonmill.org

Clark Planetarium

What: Astronomy stuff, star shows, interactive exhibits and more

Where: 100 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City

When: Daily

Ages: All ages

How much: Many activities are free; star shows are $6 for kids under 12, $8 for adults.

Information/registration: 801-456-7827; www.clarkplanetarium.org

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