By May Hunter, For Iron County Today
A visit to a museum is a search for beauty, truth, and meaning in our lives. Try to visit museums as often as you can. There’s something wonderfully calming about them, the peaceful atmosphere, the quiet, the lack of distraction, and, of course, the beauty of the art. All of it comes together to create a relaxing and enriching experience.
One of the greatest benefits of visiting museums is the opportunity to shift your perspective. Museums invite us to step into the shoes of artists and pioneers who left behind pieces of their lives for us to discover. They allow us to connect with stories, ideas, and moments that shaped the world we live in today.
Museums and galleries are also a fantastic way to learn more about your city while appreciating its art and history. Each museum offers a unique way of telling that story. The five museums featured here are easy to find, welcoming, and ready for you to explore.
Museums can increase our sense of well-being, help us feel proud of where we come from, and inspire, challenge, and stimulate our minds. They don’t just teach us, they help us feel healthier and more connected.
FRONTIER HOMESTEAD STATE PARK MUSEUM
Welcome to Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, where you can discover the pioneer and early industrial history of Cedar City and Southwest Utah.
Highlights include an extensive collection of horse-drawn wagons once owned by Gronway Parry, historic buildings, a Native Heritage exhibit, a sawmill, and a replica blast furnace, just to name a few. History truly comes alive here.
SOUTHERN UTAH MUSEUM OF ART (SUMA)
Located on the campus of Southern Utah University, the Southern Utah Museum of Art features artwork by SUU students, local and regional artists, as well as nationally and internationally recognized artists. SUMA houses over 2,000 objects in its permanent collection, including work by Jimmie F. Jones, a distinguished landscape painter whose estate helped establish the museum.
This state-of-the-art museum is a must-visit, a place to wander, ponder, and enjoy. With rotating exhibits, outstanding artists, and stunning sculpture courts, there’s always something new to discover. SUMA is open year-round and offers a variety of exhibitions and events for all ages, making it well worth visiting again and again.
DAUGHTERS OF THE UTAH PIONEERS MUSEUM
Located inside the Iron County Visitor Center, the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and artifacts of pioneer ancestors. Noted as having one of the world’s largest collections of pioneer memorabilia, the museum showcases items dating back to the arrival of early settlers in May of 1869.
As you enter, you truly step into history. These belongings tell the story of a resilient people who traveled more than 2,000 miles west from Nauvoo, Illinois, and from many parts of the world, in search of freedom and a better life.
DAUGHTERS OF THE UTAH PIONEERS MUSEUM — PAROWAN, UTAH
Located in the Old Rock Church in Parowan, this museum is currently undergoing restoration. After fifty-two years of use, the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers acquired the building and are working to return it to its original condition. When complete, this museum promises to be a true masterpiece. The museum is expected to open from May 25–September 6, 2026.
FREHNER MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
The Frehner Museum of Natural History offers a fascinating look at the natural world, featuring taxidermy, specimens, shells, plants, minerals, dinosaur tracks, and fossils. Located at Southern Utah University, the museum is dedicated to research, education, and interactive exhibits that highlight humanity’s connection to the natural world.
Programs like “Wonder Wednesday” provide hands-on, immersive experiences for all ages, making learning both fun and engaging. To better understand the natural history of Southern Utah, this museum is a must-see.
WHERE TO FIND THESE INCREDIBLE MUSEUMS
- Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
635 North Main Street, Cedar City, Utah
Open Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Admission: $4 per person (annual pass available)
- Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA)
13 South 300 West, Cedar City, Utah
Open Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Free admission
- Garth & Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History
300 West 162 South, Cedar City, Utah
Open Tuesday–Friday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
Free admission
- Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum (Iron County Visitor Center)
581 North Main Street, Cedar City, Utah
Open Tuesday–Friday, 1 p.m.–4 p.m. (Winter hours)
Free admission
Museums make us feel good, make us smarter, and offer meaningful ways to learn. They inspire us and provide wonderful opportunities to spend time with friends and family. Museums connect us to the larger world around us—allowing us to travel across continents, explore outer space, or revisit moments in history, all without leaving the building.
Follow your eyes wherever they lead you, and the world may begin to look a little different. “The best introduction to art is to stroll through a museum.”
So go ahead, visit a museum!