Driven by the conviction that every story matters, the Utah Black History Museum (UBHM) is Utah’s first Black history museum and operates primarily as a mobile, traveling exhibit.
Mission & Vision
The museum seeks to fill gaps in mainstream historical narratives by preserving, sharing, and centering the experiences of Black communities across Utah. Its efforts include artifact display, storytelling, and community engagement—intending to spark informed dialogue and deeper understanding of Utah’s full cultural history.
The Bus That Brought It Freedom
One of UBHM’s defining features is its home-on-wheels: a renovated school bus that now houses the museum’s exhibits. Painted with bold murals depicting key figures in Black history, the bus enables UBHM to bring its collection into neighborhoods, schools, festivals, and community spaces.
This mobility makes the museum uniquely accessible—rather than waiting for people to come to it, UBHM goes to the people.
Exhibits & Community Engagement
UBHM’s exhibits explore Utah’s Black history from the earliest Black settlers to contemporary life. Past exhibitions have included:
- A display at Salt Lake Community College exploring the Black experience in Utah, where the bus itself was featured as an art object and exhibit.
- A traveling exhibit hosted at Utah Valley University (UVU), featuring compelling local and national Black history stories.
- Online and in-person programming tied to community events, cultural festivals, and school partnerships.
Further, UBHM collaborates with artists, muralists, and historians to ensure the visual and narrative presentation is compelling, educational, and culturally resonant.
Leadership & Structure
Rae Duckworth plays a central role in guiding the museum’s programming, organizing outreach, and overseeing artistic direction.
Volunteers are essential to its operation. UBHM often calls for support in tasks like logistics, exhibit setup, outreach, and even driving (with the required CDL) when the bus is on the road.
Challenges & Future Goals
One challenge UBHM faces is securing a permanent, brick-and-mortar location. Until then, the bus format remains central to its model.
Still, the mobile model carries its own challenges: coordinating schedules, transporting artifacts with care, and staffing for each show. But its flexibility allows for reaching communities that might otherwise be overlooked.
Looking ahead, UBHM aims to deepen its archival holdings, expand its programming to more Utah regions, and continue developing partnerships with schools, universities, and cultural organizations.
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