Utah Travel Tips | Utah.com

Historic Salt Lake Tabernacle Opens After Renovations

The Mormon Temple on Temple Square

Utah is famous for its ski slopes and colorful national parks, but a completely different kind of attraction actually draws more visits from travelers.

Historic Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City is our biggest tourist attraction. Visitors come here to see the stunning Mormon Temple and other pioneer-era buildings. The historic Tabernacle, home to the world-famous Tabernacle Choir, is a major draw. The Tabernacle was recently retrofitted to bring it up to modern codes, and was re-opened to the public just a couple weeks ago. Renovators were careful to preserve the historic aspects of the unique building.

Free public tours are offered at Temple Square. Volunteer guides speaking a multitude of different languages walk people through the vibrant gardens and into key buildings, including the Tabernacle and visitors centers. The guides answer questions and provide information about the architecture, Utah's unique culture, and about the Mormon Church.

People are also welcome to tour Temple Square on their own, soaking in the serenity at their own pace. Visitors can attend Tabernacle Choir rehearsals and Sunday morning performances. Other groups also give free performances in the Tabernacle and nearby Assembly Hall. Events of one kind or another are held almost every day.

View inside the Tabernacle, showing the pipe organ

The Tabernacle, with its dome-shaped roof and massive organ, is considered a remarkable structure for its period. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 and in 1971 was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as an engineering milestone. The organ is one of the largest pipe organs in the world.

The bulding is loved by people from around the world. The renovation work prompted considerable news coverage. Here are excerpts from a recent NY Times article:

"The tabernacle's famed acoustics, which legend has it enabled a listener to a hear a pin drop from 250 feet away, were measured before the renovation began, modeled on computers and then assessed again recently, said Roger P. Jackson, the project's lead architect. Mr. Jackson said he expected the building's enveloping
sound would be preserved."

Mormon Handcart Pioneers

"The wooden roof trusses have been girded with steel. The roof's 44 stone support piers have new steel and concrete reinforcements. Fourteen layers of paint, including one of bird's-egg blue, were removed from the ceiling. The rostrum, where nearly 100 church leaders sit facing the audience during religious services, can now be lowered with a hydraulic lift and replaced with a stage for an orchestra."

These links bring up more news articles and photos:
Mormon Tabernacle reopens after repair
Photo gallery of the remodeled Mormon Tabernacle
Display gives inside story of Tabernacle

Check our events calendar for activities in this area.

SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE / UPDATE

Join our free monthly newsletter, or send it to a friend

Also read our free monthly National Parks Advisor newsletter.