Temple Square reopening to the public as renovations continue
Jun 8, 2021, 10:56 AM | Updated: Jun 9, 2021, 7:11 am
One of the central features of the Conference Center experience are a replica of sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen’s masterpiece, the Christus
Visit Salt Lake senior vice president Mark White joins Utah’s Morning News at 7:15 to discuss what the re-opening of Temple Square will mean for tourism in Salt Lake.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s most visited tourist attraction at the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, Temple Square, will be reopening to the public next Monday.
Phased reopening of Temple Square
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Temple Square will begin a phased reopening on Monday, June 14.
Church officials announced in 2019 that the historic Salt Lake Temple and surrounding grounds would begin massive renovations to shore up their foundations and open up the grounds.
At the time, they said that the Conference Center would be the main venue and starting point for visitors. But after the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, church leaders halted those operations.
In a news release, church leaders said their 21,000-seat Conference Center will be the first building reopening on Temple Square. That should begin Monday. Other historic buildings around the block will open thereafter.
Here’s the timeline for what you can expect throughout the Temple Square reopening.
The Conference Center
“The public will again be welcomed to visit and tour the Conference Center beginning June 14,” church officials said in a news release Tuesday. “The experience will initially be open with limited hours (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily) and will include guided and self-guided tours.
“The central features of the Conference Center experience are a replica of sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen’s masterpiece, the Christus; a cutaway model of the Salt Lake Temple; the 21,000-seat Conference Center auditorium; and premier views of Temple Square and the Salt Lake Temple renovation.”
They say there will also be immersive and interactive experiences throughout the building. Those should showcase the history and significance of the Salt Lake Temple. They will also display historic artifacts from the temple.
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Assembly Hall, Tabernacle, Family History & Church History Libraries
The Assembly Hall, Tabernacle, Family History Library and Church History Library will all open to the public once again starting July 6 with limited hours.
For the Assembly Hall and Tabernacle, each building will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The organ concerts, rehearsals and other concerts will remain on hold for now.
The Family History Library will be open longer, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday through Friday.
According to the release, the Church History Library will open its reading room by appointment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. They will also reopen presentations for groups of 25 or fewer.
Beehive House and Church History Museum
The Beehive House and Church History Museum will reopen to the public on August 2.
Beehive House will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the Church History Museum will be open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with fewer hours on Friday, and Saturday where they’ll be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visitor Guidelines
The church said that all visitors are welcome on Temple Square and recommend that face masks be worn by anyone who has not yet been fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
Bonneville International Corporation, the company that owns KSL NewsRadio, is a subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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