Tucked into downtown Bountiful at 305 North Main Street, the Bountiful Museum and Learning Center is a free, volunteer-run museum where the story of one of Utah’s oldest cities comes to life. It is operated by the Bountiful Historical Preservation Foundation—an independent, donation-supported nonprofit, separate from Bountiful City—whose mission is to gather, preserve, and share the history of Bountiful and its people. The museum is housed in the historic James and Alice Smedley Manor, just north of downtown.

What You’ll See

The Bamberger Model Train

A working model railroad recreates the Bamberger electric line as it ran through Bountiful in the late 1930s (roughly 1935–1940), carrying passengers north to the Lagoon resort in Farmington. It’s a family favorite—bring the kids.

The VIP Room

Displays honor notable Bountiful residents, including Ivy Baker Priest, who served as Treasurer of the United States during the Eisenhower administration (1953–1961); Dr. Juel E. Trowbridge, a family physician in Bountiful for nearly 50 years; James England, a managing editor at the Salt Lake Tribune who shared the 1956 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of an airliner collision over the Grand Canyon; and two Utah governors from Bountiful, Charles R. Mabey and Calvin L. Rampton. A display featuring basketball pioneer Wat Misaka is coming soon.

“What Was Here?” Main Street QR Trail

Look for QR codes posted on businesses along Main Street in downtown Bountiful. Scan one to watch a short video about what once stood on that spot. Watch six of the videos, then stop by the museum to share what you learned and earn a special collector’s pin.

Interactive Kiosks & Hands-On Displays

Newly added touchscreen kiosks and hands-on activities make it easy for visitors of all ages to explore Bountiful’s past. Exhibits change regularly, so there’s usually something new to discover.

Davis County Clipper Archive

Browse digitized issues of the Davis County Clipper from 1892 to 2004—a searchable window into more than a century of local news, available through the Utah Digital Newspapers archive.

A Little Bountiful History

Bountiful holds the distinction of being the second city settled in Utah. Just days after Perrigrine Sessions reached the Salt Lake Valley in September 1847, he was sent north with cattle to find better winter grazing, and his family spent that first winter in a dugout about ten miles north of early Great Salt Lake City. The settlement grew quickly into a farming community whose orchards and produce earned it a reputation as the “breadbasket” of Salt Lake. After World War II, many orchards gave way to neighborhoods, and Bountiful became known as a city of beautiful homes and gardens. You can read more on our Bountiful history page.

Get Involved

The museum is always looking for friendly volunteers to greet and guide visitors—no prior knowledge of Bountiful history required. If you enjoy history and meeting people and have a couple of hours a week to give, call 801-296-2060 or stop in to learn more. Donations to the museum are also welcome.

Find the Museum

Visit & Learn More

Official museum website: bountifulmuseum.org. Bountiful’s sister city is historic Chesterfield, Idaho.