Hello, friends!

As you know, the Western Museums Association partnered with the Utah Museums Association for a combined annual meeting this year. The Hilton was the site of our combined 2013 conference, and may be familiar to those of you in attendance then. During our time here in 2026, we have arranged for gender neutral restrooms at the hotel (a UMA standard), spaces to quiet the senses, and admission to the nearby Discovery Gateway Children's Museum to delight your kids and their caregiver(s) while you attend sessions. The host committee has assembled a list of recommended restaurants, bars, and local offers to assist you as well, so stayed tuned for that information as the date approaches.

Salt Lake City is a very welcoming, safe, and walkable city with so many ways to enjoy culture, nature, nightlife, and history, and I would like to share some of these with you as you plan your travels.

The Hilton is in the heart of the city and mere blocks away from incredible food, drink, art, history, drag, music, and a light rail system to connect you beyond the downtown area. A good place to start your planning is the Visit Salt Lake site, which provides information about upcoming events, the best food and drink, and itineraries for LGBTQ+ visitors, families, nature lovers, and more. The site also gives you access to a Discount Passport for deals on all of the above and is free to download. This list of free things to do is awesome, and I especially recommend visiting Gilgal Gardens if you want to experience some weirdly wonderful art or get your groove on at the Gallivan Center Dance Night, 3 blocks away.

SLC has a rich people history, which has led to a deliciously diverse population that continues to shape our way of life. You might check out the Urban Indian Center for sunrise fitness classes or contact Sema Hadithi African American Culture and History Foundation to request one of their many Utah Black History walking tours or bus tours along the Buffalo Soldier Trail throughout the state.

SLC is one of the queerest cities in the country, listed among the top 10 U.S. metro areas with the largest gay populations. Utah's queer history is fascinating and includes one of Brigham Young's sons who was the drag artist, Madam Pattirini, who performed for Mormon prophets in his day. Lots of information is available, especially in some of the restaurants along Main Street (a block behind the hotel), which was known to Utah's non-native settlers as Whiskey Street for the abundance of saloons and brothels that lined the way. Salt Lake's drag scene today is vibrant, fun, and friendly. Head over to one of the many drag venues close by to meet some of our star performers.

Headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, SLC has some interesting places you might choose to visit while you're here. After a very long renovation, the Mormon Temple will be open for tours before it is rededicated later this fall. This is a unique opportunity to see what's in there, including amazing art. You can learn more here about signing up for tours and exploring Temple Square. If you're interested in learning about your genealogy, the Family Search Center is across from Temple Square and staffed with wonderful volunteers to help you find out more about that elusive great grandmother of yours.

As my last annual meeting as a WMA/UMA board member, I am delighted to welcome you to my town and hope you bring an open mind and a sense of discovery to the uniquely strange and wonderful place I call home.

Lorie Millward
She/Her/Ella