Flag Highlights: How to Display the Flag --part 8

We will be offering a series of blogs that highlight different traditions, facts and important information about the United States Flag.These informational facts were taken from a Brochure published in 1966 and found at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum located next to the Utah State Capitol building.

ON A PULPIT OR AT A CHURCH

When it is displayed on the pulpit or chancel in a church, the flag of the United States should be flown from a staff placed on the clergyman's right as he faces the congregation. All other flags on the pulpit or chancel should be on his left.

However, when it is displayed on the floor of the church, on a level with the congregation, the position of the flag is reversed from that above. It is placed on the right of the congregation, as one faces the pulpit or chancel.

All words, grammar and word usage, has been taken directly from this 1966 brochure.

Utah in the Union Time Line Now Up in the Visitor Center

Art at the Capitol - Cyclorama

The Capitol Preservation Board will be doing another series of fun facts and loads of information highlighting different art throughout the beautiful Capitol building.

Today: Cyclorama inside the Rotunda

The Rotunda was unfinished for nearly 20 years until the Works Progress Administration

(WPA) funded art projects for the Capitol. These impressive scenes from 19th Century Utah life contain over 100 figures, many of which are more than ten feet tall. Eight scenes

(Irrigation by Pioneers, Driving the Golden Spike, General Connor Inaugurates Mining, Gulls Save the Wheat Fields, Naming of Ensign Peak, Peace with the Indians, Pony Express and Stagecoach, and a Social gathering at the Old Bowery) were designed by Lee Greene Richards.



Read more of the story HERE!!

Come and See it Before it's Gone!!!

Old Topographical Map

Come and see this old 3-D map of Utah before it is replaced!! The map has been apart of the Utah State Capitol since the 70's and is missing new crucial landmarks to Utah, including I-215 and other important National Monuments.

Flag Highlights: How To Display the Flag--part 7

We will be offering a series of blogs that highlight different traditions, facts and important information about the United States Flag.These informational facts were taken from a Brochure published in 1966 and found at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum located next to the Utah State Capitol building.

FOR A SPEAKER'S PLATFORM

When used on a speaker's platform the flag should be displayed above and behind the speaker. It should never be used to cover the speaker's table nor to drape over the front of the platform. If flown from a staff it should be on the speaker's right.

All words, grammar and word usage, has been taken directly from this 1966 brochure.

Art At the Capitol - Pendentives

The Capitol Preservation Board will be doing another series of fun facts and loads of information highlighting different art throughout the beautiful Capitol building.

Today: Pendentives inside the Rotunda

The three-dimensional triangles of the Rotunda piers offer the beautiful spaces for artwork. The Capitol's pendentive murals, designed by Lee Greene Richards (Richards’ other work in the Capitol includes portraits of three early Utah governors and one of the landscapes in the Senate Chamber) illustrate four early expeditions into the Great Basin, each leaving lasting contributions to Utah's geographic and cultural heritage: Father Escalante and other Spanish priests who explored Utah's southern counties; John C. Fremont who mapped the great rivers and lakes of the territory; Brigham Young and the beginnings of Mormon immigration and settlement; Peter Skene Ogden and other trappers and tradesmen of northern Utah.

Find out more HERE!!

Flag Highlights: How To Display the Flag--part 6

We will be offering a series of blogs that highlight different traditions, facts and important information about the United States Flag.These informational facts were taken from a Brochure published in 1966 and found at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum located next to the Utah State Capitol building.

DISPLAYED OVER THE STREET

When displayed over the middle of the street, as between buildings, the flag of the United States should be suspended vertically with the union to the north of an east and west street and to the east on a north and south street.

All words, grammar and word usage, has been taken directly from this 1966 brochure.

Utah We Love Thee interview about author 2nd page

These pages were published in the 1917 Improvement Era LDS Church publication.
The 2nd page reads:

gatherings of the children of the state, but in many private homes and organizations. Professor Stephens thinks it particularly significant that his song should have had the additional honor which is received, practically at the time of attaining its majority--twenty-one years since it was first sung. Both the Ogden and Salt Lake Tabernacle choirs, on their various trips east and west to a number of National expositions, have sung the new state anthem; and when the silver service, donated by the state, to the United States battleship Utah, was presented in New York harbor, in the presence of nearly two thousand people from this state besides many national officials, it was also sung by the latter choir, this time on the deck of the battleship. For that occasion the author had written two special stanzas for as follows:
Queen of the ocean wave,
Utah, we love thee.
Mann'd by the true and brave,
Utah, we love thee.
Unconcquer'd may'st thou ride
Long o'er the resless tide,
Our country's joy and pride,
Utah, we love thee.
Guard well the land we love,
Utah, we love thee.
A friend to freedom prove,
Utah, we love thee.
Our nation's fame increase,
Bid all oppression cease,
Aid universal peace,
Utah, we love thee.

The text of the resolution adopted by the legislature as it appeared in the press at the time is as follows:

"Whereas, it is fitting and proper that a state should select and officially recognize an appropriate state song; and
"Whereas, the people of Utah are especially favored with patriotic songs which have been produced by both the native and adopted sons and daughters of the stat; and
"Whereas, it is universally recognized that the song, by Evan Stephens, entitled, "Utah, we Love Thee" possesses the supreme merits of a peoples' song; and

Flag Highlights: How To Display the Flag--part 5

We will be offering a series of blogs that highlight different traditions, facts and important information about the United States Flag.These informational facts were taken from a Brochure published in 1966 and found at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum located next to the Utah State Capitol building.

IMPROPER USE

Never use them for decorations. Red-white-blue striped bunting is designed for this use.

All words, grammar and word usage, has been taken directly from this 1966 brochure.

Base Isolators Case video on Youtube.

Utah Capitol Store SALE!!! U.S.S. Utah postcards for 25 cents!

Choose from an array of vintage postcards displaying historical photographs taken of the U.S.S. Utah battleship and it's crew.
These postcards can be purchased at the Utah Capitol Store.

Back of card reads:
The ship as completed in late 1911 USN Photo

Back of card reads:
The Utah number One Turret's crew posing under their turret's 12"/45 guns in 1913. Chief Turret Captain Aberaham DeSomer seated at right in the center of the front row. To his right is the Turret Officer, Ensign Arthur S. Carpender. DeSomer received the Medal of Honor for his "extraordinary heroism" during the seizure of Vera Cruz Mexico, 21-22 April 1914 USNHC photo.

Utah We Love Thee interview about author

These pages were published in the 1917 Improvement Era LDS Church publication.

The 1st page text reads:

Utah, we Love Thee

By Edward H. Anderson

The Legislative Assembly of the State of Utah adopted early in February, 1917, Professor Evan Stephen's "Utah, We Love Thee," as the official song of the State of Utah. It is twenty-one years since Utah entered the Union of states, and this song was especially composed for the inaugural exercises in the Salt Lake Tabernacle which signalized the admission of the state of Utah into the Union, January 6, 1896. At that time the author directed a chorus of one thousand voices, in the singing.

Professor Stephens met the writer of this note on the 10th of February, last, and on being questioned as to his health, he said he was particularly happy that day, as he was just on his way to the capitol to witness the proceedings and hear the adoption of his "Utah, We Love Thee" as the official song of the state. He said that the idea of this song came to him as far back as 1893 when, it will be remembered, the Tabernacle choir was on its way to the World's Fair, in Chicago. It then dawned on him that Utah had no song of her own, nor even one that could be sung in her favor at the exposition. On his return he began the composition of the words and music which were adopted by the late legislature of Utah's official hymn.

After the state inaugural exercises, held in the Tabernacle, at which many thousands of people heard the composition, it became popular in all public audiences, and was sung not only in the public schools, Sunday schools and other...

All text and grammar comes directly from the publication.

Utah in the Union in the News!

Jeremiah Chin, a graphic designer and researcher, helps install a new exhibit about Utah's entry into the Union in 1896 at the state Capitol building in Salt Lake City on Monday, 114 years after Utah became the nation's 45th state.

Picture Story found in the Deseret News.

Flag Highlights: How To Display the Flag--part 4

We will be offering a series of blogs that highlight different traditions, facts and important information about the United States Flag.These informational facts were taken from a Brochure published in 1966 and found at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum located next to the Utah State Capitol building.

HOW TO DISPLAY THE FLAG
When Hung Flat

When the flag of the United States is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or outdoors.

When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, i.e., the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be the same way.

The flag should never be draped or used as a decoration to replace bunting.

All words, grammar and word usage, has been taken directly from this 1966 brochure.

In the News: Utah remembers its roots with Statehood Day

By Marc Haddock
Deseret News



Utahns first petitioned for statehood in 1849, two years after the Mormon pioneers first established homes in the Great Basin.
But it took 47 years — and an official declaration from the leadership of the LDS Church stating church members would no longer practice polygamy — before President Grover Cleveland on Saturday, Jan. 4, 1896, issued the proclamation admitting Utah to the Union as the 45th state.
Salt Lake City officials, wanting to be properly prepared for the occasion, postponed the official celebration until Monday, Jan. 6.
But residents didn't wait that long. A battery of the Utah National Guard marched to Capitol Hill and fired a 21-gun salute to alert the city. Businesses closed their doors and crowds swarmed the streets, ringing bells, shooting off firecrackers and blowing whistles.
"The news of the admission was welcomed by the firing of cannon and small arms, the shrieking of steam whistles and every other kind of noise which could be produced," wrote James E. Talmage in his personal diary.
An article in the Jan. 4, 1896, Provo Daily Enquirer said that when a telegram announcing the signing of the proclamation was delivered to the newspaper — and the community ?— "precisely at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time," the celebration started:
"At once the entire Enquirer building was covered with bunting and flags. The city marshal's office was notified and the Woolen Mills was called up by telephone, the Asylum and other places having steam whistles, and the long expected joyful news imparted. In the incredibly short space of time the entire city was reverberating with the shrieks of whistles, the chimes of bells, shooting of guns and cannon, and the happy shouts of freemen out of bondage. The town was decorated as if by magic and flags were soon seen floating from every public place and housetops everywhere."
Through the years, Jan. 4 has been recognized as Utah's Statehood Day. Sometimes the date coincides with the gubernatorial inauguration, which occurs on the first Monday of a new year following an election. On those occasions, the day is marked with inaugural balls and public ceremonies.
Many other years, like this one, the day passes with little or no notice.
Deseret News photographers have been on hand at many formal Statehood Day events, including the first one. Photo researcher Ron Fox has culled the newspaper's archives for these photographs, some that have never been published.
On Jan. 6, 1896, the Salt Lake LDS Tabernacle hosted the state's official celebration, a 45-star flag made for the occasion in the ZCMI overall and fabrics factory stretched 160 feet along the ceiling. It was the largest American flag at the time.




Read more of the article HERE!!

STATEHOOD quiz: Test your knowledge of Utah state history

Quiz Created by KSL's Amanda Butterfield and the Capitol Curator Judith McConkie.
Take quiz HERE!!!

1 How many constitutions did Utah territorial leaders write in order to become a state?

2 How many territorial governors were sent from Washington, D.C. to be governors of Utah

3 Territory? (A trick question!)

4 Who was the first governor of Utah Territory?

5 How many counties were there when Utah entered the Union?

6 How many counties are there in Utah today?

7 What was the first name for the state?

8 Where did the name Utah come from?

9 How many stars on the 1896 United States flag?

10 Who was Utah's first state governor?

11 Where was he sworn in and why?

12 Where was Utah's first capital?

13 How many years did it take for Utah to become a state?

For quiz answers, click HERE!!!!

Celebrating Statehood Day at the Utah State Capitol

UTAH IN THE UNION COMING MARCH 3rd 2010!!!!

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Utah in the Union: The Story of the 45th State

Officially Opening MARCH 3, 2010!!!

On Statehood Day, Monday, January 4, 2010, the Capitol Preservation Board will begin the process of installing a newly developed free exhibit of documents, memorabilia, educator materials, artifacts and program called Utah in the Union: The Story of the 45th State, celebrating Utah’s 1896 entry into the Union.
The building-wide exhibition will be open from March 2010 through January 2011.The exhibit is specifically designed for Utah students and visitors to the state and those particularly curious about Utah’s history.
By March 3, 2010 – the day Utah Territorial Delegate of Congress Joseph Rawlins introduced the Enabling Act to the House of Representatives in Washington D.C., pushing Utah into statehood – all historical objects, educational display cases and vintage photographs related to Statehood will be in place throughout all areas of the Utah State Capitol.
Exhibits feature several major pieces relevant to Utah history. Objects of interest include an original 45 Star flag to be placed in the Freedom Shrine on the first floor of the Capitol, as well as one of the original copies of the Proceedings Utah Constitutional Convention, published in 1896. In addition, there will be a new 7.5 x 6 topographical map of Utah taken from space, more than 30 historic photographs of Statehood celebrations, and an interactive timeline illustrating Utah’s seven attempts to join the Union.
Capitol Curator Judith McConkie, PhD, stated, “We are indebted to scholars and collectors who have gone before,” she said. “The Utah State Capitol seems, however, a fitting place for assembling a free and educational exhibit throughout the Capitol, especially for school children studying the history of Utah and visitors to our state.”
The Capitol Preservation Board would like to give a special thanks to those who have helped contribute to this exciting and worthy exhibition: The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church History Library, KUED, Utah State Historical Society and Archives, various state newspaper organizations and universities who have all contributed generously to the exhibition, helping to celebrate the 45th state.

The U.S.S. Utah Battleship Exhibit Continues

The free exhibition of the U.S.S. Utah battleship will continue to run until the beginning of February 2010. This exhibit, located on the 4th floor of the Utah State Capitol building, tells the story of the United States Navy’s largest battleship, later to become a training ship, which was to historically fall during the attack at Pearl Harbor.
Complete with beautifully arrayed display cases containing newspaper clippings, historical clothing, battleship artifacts and devises, and miniature replicas, as well as vintage photographs adorning the walls along the 4th floor galleries, this exhibit celebrates the history and significance of the U.S.S. Utah vividly.

No fee’s, appointments or tickets necessary. Just walk right in and view the exhibit at your own pace.
Check it out before it ends!!!!!!

U.S.S. Utah Brochure clippings.

This passage can be found inside the U.S.S. Utah exhibit brochure, available for free in the East entrance of the Utah State Capitol.Because the image is hard to read, the contents are as follows:

The name of the United States Navy’s largest battleship, referred to as a dreadnought because of its compliment of enormous guns, was announced by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 from the pulpit of the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
Six years later, she was launched with the words, “I christen thee Utah! God Speed!” by Mary Alice Spry, the 18-year old daughter of Utah’s governor William Spray and who had just begun the ambitious project of constructing the new state house. Spry involved the children of Utah in the official commissioning of the ship—an event attended by the Tabernacle Choir and elected dignitaries—by asking each child for a ten-cent donation toward the traditional purchase of a full set of sterling silver serving pieces bearing the navy seal and Utah Scenes.
For more than two decades as part of the Atlantic Fleet, the ship’s crew knew hard work, danger, heroism and their fair share of fun. They stood at attention as well as at ease on a magnificent ship and until she was retrofitted and re-commissioned as what one historian called the “newest radio Frankenstein” of the Pacific—a target training ship—until she docked at Pear Harbor in December, 1941.