Past Events

Have you ever wondered how Canyonlands was formed? National Park Ranger/Geologist Rhodes Smartt will take us on a journey through the geologic history of Canyonlands National Park. He will discuss the geology of the greater Colorado Plateau area and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands, and how its unique geology led to uranium mining. Join us for an evening of geologic exploration!

Author and River Historian Roy Webb brings us more Vintage River Films, this time featuring the legendary Norm Nevills, Dee Holliday and Al Morton on the San Juan, Cataract and Glen Canyons.

Join Museum staff for this free, public opening to the Annual Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild Show on Saturday, May 13 from 5-8 pm. This year's quilt challenge is entitled ‘Flower Power’ and features floral fabrics and other blooming design elements - as well as a few historic quilts from the Moab Museum's Collection, which feature flowers as well. Enjoy light refreshments with the quilters themselves, throughout the evening. For the duration of the exhibit, visitors may vote on their favorite…

On Wednesday, May 17, at 11 am & 2 pm, Sam Cunningham presents “Navajo-Churro Sheep: Oldest Breed of Domestic Sheep in the United States” as part of The Livestock Conservancy’s International Heritage Breeds Week. Navajo Churro Sheep from Cunnington Farms will be on-site.

On Thursday, May 18, at 11 am & 2 pm, Canyonlands Back Country Horsemen Stephen Schultz, Naomi Wilson, and Melissa Wardle will be at the Moab Museum with their Sulphur Herd Mustangs to share about this Utah heritage breed as part of the Livestock Conservancy’s International Heritage Breeds Week.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) contributed significantly to the landscape of southeastern Utah in the 1930s and 1940s. From constructing roads to bridges to infrastructure in the soon to be National Parks, the four CCC camps located within and near Moab were vital to the growth of the region and stabilization of the land. In response to the effects of seasonal flooding events, such as the large flood of 1932, two camps located in southeast Moab were tasked with controlling…

Friday, May 19 at 11 am & 2 pm, Matt Redd and Mike Duniway from the Nature Conservancy & USGS, respectively, present “Are Criollo a better (and tastier) breed for a Warming Colorado Plateau?” at the Moab Museum. Their presentation will be followed by Criollo beef served on the Museum lawn with calf roping demonstrations.

Bring your blankets, chairs & water. We'll provide the popcorn!

Just like their Ancestral Puebloan neighbors to the south, the Fremont people built keeps and citadels in relatively inaccessible locations throughout Eastern Utah. For generations archaeologists have theorized and debated the nature of these isolated towers and walled compounds built on small mesas, ridges, and other defensive locations, but very few meaningful insights into their actual function or the reasons for their construction exist. The old maxim of “form follows function” prevails in their limited interpretation. Here, we’ll explore the…

As gripping as any thriller, the 2023 Academy Award-winner for Best Documentary follows Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny through his political rise, shocking attempted assassination by poison, and his search to uncover the truth.

A broad selection of original art from over 60 artists will be on display. Many are returning artists and several new artists are expected this year. Since COVID, artists are being more choosey which shows to attend, so if they are here in Moab, they want to be here. The variety of artisans includes categories such as furniture, fine art, creative arts, pottery, fiber & textiles, jewelry, glass, and wood. Kid Row art activities are expanding in size and scope…

On Tuesday, May 30 at 6 pm at Star Hall, Dr. Temple Grandin, CSU distinguished professor presents “Great Minds Are Not All the Same.” Dr. Grandin will speak about her work and her latest book “Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions.” Tickets: $45 for General Admission, $25 for Moab Museum Members.

It should be no surprise that geologically youthful canyon incision is a hallmark of Utah’s canyonlands. Yet, the timing and patterns of canyon cutting are only starting to be understood, revealing a connection to the formation of Moab-Spanish valley and other graben along exposures of Paradox Formation salt. Our research utilizes stream terraces and basin-fill deposits dated by luminescence and cosmogenic methods to quantify incision rates, active faulting, and salt deformation. I will focus on new findings from Meander Canyon…