For all the things we love about this city, the Natural History Museum of Utah is one institution in particular that we’re glad calls SLC home. While the stunner of a building has now been officially open to the public for a decade (and is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in November), we're still giddy about this stunning intersection of design and history. Yes, we’ve gushed on this building and those who brought it to life in the past, but we recently took a COLLECTIVE field trip—led by Exhibits Manager and Senior Exhibit Designer, Tim Lee—up to the east bench to check out the museum’s new and highly lauded special exhibit, Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs.

With more than 350 original artifacts dating back 4,500 years, the new exhibit dives deep into one of humanity’s most fascinating eras and includes insights into the daily lives and economic, political, mythological, and cultural beliefs of both commoners and royalty. This is one of the largest traveling exhibitions on ancient Egypt, and with films, detailed models, and authentic, ancient artifacts (including a couple of elaborately wrapped mummies), we’ll happily attest to the beauty, brilliance, and cultural splendor of the collection. According to Tim Lee, "we like to think of the NHMU as an art museum just as much as a science museum,"—a sentiment that's abundantly clear when maneuvering the pathways between stone sculptures and immersive video projected over ancient carvings. It's a stunning display of human achievement, both past and present, and a collection we can't recommend highly enough.

Entrance into Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs is included in the price of general admission into the museum. Reserve your tickets online here.