In a significant milestone for Utah's cultural heritage, the Park City Historical Society and Museum has officially become an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, a move that opens new avenues for educational and professional collaboration. This partnership aligns with the Smithsonian's mission to foster the increase and diffusion of knowledge, a purpose it has championed since its founding in 1846. The Park City Historical Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Park City, is now the only Smithsonian Affiliate in the state of Utah, marking a pivotal moment in its history. Kara Blond, the director of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations, expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership, stating, "We are pleased to have the Park City Museum as our newest Smithsonian Affiliate — our only affiliate in the state of Utah. We are grateful to the staff and leadership of our newest collaborator for sharing their expertise with us as we begin this important relationship. The Park City Museum’s deep connections with communities allow people to connect with Smithsonian resources and programs closer to home." Randy Scott, the former president of the Park City Historical Society board, echoed similar sentiments, noting the honor of being recognized as Utah's only Smithsonian Affiliate. He remarked, "The Park City Historical Society and Museum is honored to become Utah’s only Smithsonian Affiliate partner, opening the door to new educational and professional collaborations for our staff and providing Smithsonian Affiliate Reciprocal Membership benefits for our members across the national network." The Park City Museum joins a prestigious group of 216 organizations from 46 states, Puerto Rico, and Panama. Morgan Pierce, the museum's executive director, explained the mutual benefits of this affiliation, saying, "It’s a give-and-take relationship with the Smithsonian. This allows us to have access to their experts and curators in certain fields and to borrow objects, if possible. And all of the affiliates have a close-knit tie where we can share lectures, expertise, and objects with each other." This collaboration will also allow the Park City Historical Society and Museum to enhance its presence within the Smithsonian network, which encompasses 21 museums, 21 libraries, 14 education and research centers, a zoo, and various historical landmarks. Pierce highlighted the Smithsonian's goal of establishing an affiliate in nearly every state, noting that many affiliates have already expressed interest in collaborating with Park City, particularly in light of America's upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations. The journey towards becoming a Smithsonian Affiliate began five years ago when Pierce first proposed the idea upon his appointment as executive director. He mentioned that this goal was part of the museum's strategic plan initiated in 2021. "We’re nearing the end of that plan, and one of our major goals was to go through this application process and to ideally be named an affiliate," he said. The Park City Historical Society established the Park City Museum in 1981, which underwent a significant renovation and expansion project in 2007, costing nearly $9 million. The current museum location, situated at 528 Main St., spans 12,000 square feet over three levels and incorporates historic buildings such as the original city hall and library. The main floor features the Tozier Gallery, which hosts traveling exhibits, a gift shop, and a permanent collection of artifacts from Park City's rich history. According to Pierce, the museum houses approximately 5,000 three-dimensional artifacts. The museum also boasts an interactive jail, a ski subway, and the Hal Compton Research Library on its lower level. The library provides resources for researchers interested in family genealogy and property records related to Park City. It is home to a vast photograph collection that includes over 60,000 images specific to Park City, more than half of which have been digitized as part of an ongoing project. Staffing the museum is a dedicated team of 13 full-time employees supported by a board of 16 members. Pierce emphasized that all efforts, whether conducted within the museum or externally, are guided by the mission to preserve, protect, and promote Park City's history and heritage. This mission is fulfilled through various exhibits and educational programs, including the History Speaks lecture series, which features presentations by volunteers focused on preserving the town's mining history. In addition to traditional museum offerings, the Park City Museum is actively involved in the Glenwood Cemetery, established in 1885 as a burial site for miners and members of fraternal organizations. "We have a lot of plans for the cemetery as well that we hope to begin this year," Pierce noted, highlighting the museum's commitment to maintaining local heritage. The Park City Museum also organizes historic home tours, architecture tours, and guided walking tours of Main Street, enhancing accessibility to Park City's historical sites. Educational programming is overseen by Education Director Diane Knispel, who ensures that the museum's offerings continue to engage and inform the community. As the Park City Historical Society and Museum embarks on this new chapter as a Smithsonian Affiliate, it stands poised to elevate its efforts in preserving and sharing the unique history of Park City. With access to Smithsonian resources, the museum is set to enrich its educational initiatives and foster a deeper connection between the community and its heritage. For further information about the Park City Museum, visit parkcityhistory.org. To learn more about the Smithsonian Institution and its affiliates, visit si.edu.