Roots of Knowledge: Our History in Stained Glass
Roots of Knowledge is an incredible stained glass historical depiction of humanity from cavemen to present day. It’s a 12 year project of 80 window panes 10 feet high by 200 feet long. There are over 60,000 pieces of glass along with other items such as rock, petrified wood, coins and coral. Each of the beautifully created panels develop the historical journey of mankind’s knowledge, inventions and significant events.
This permanent exhibit is located in the Ira Fulton Library at Utah Valley University in Orem, south of Salt Lake City. This, over a decade project, was the creation of Tom Holden, artist and Matthew Holland, UVU President with the help of many other artist, students and faculty. It was finished in 2016 at a cost of $4.5 million. Paid parking is available in the parking garage across the way from the library. There is not a charge to go into the library and view the art installation, Roots of Knowledge.
This is definitely worth a stop if you are headed from SLC toward the National Parks as we were. Make sure to look for special items incorporated into the windows including a shark tooth, 1776 coin, fossils, computer chips, and a piece of the Berlin Wall. Besides the helpful and knowledgeable staff at the exhibit to answer your questions, there is also an app, audio tour and virtual tour.
The more you can research and learn about the Roots of Knowledge panels before you visit, the more you will be able to experience in person while you are there.
We enjoyed our time here at the Roots of Knowledge stained glass exhibit. Leave me a comment about your experience when you visit!
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About Us
We are Bud and Debbie Lilly, two travel lovers from Texas. Spending an enormous amount of time researching each location to find the best places to eat, sites to see and things to do is actually something I love to do. Not for everyone, I know. But, we are blogging our experiences to let you know what you can expect in each location and so you don’t have to redo the research. Let us know if you go on any of the same trips and if you find places that impress you. We would love to hear from you!
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Wow what an incredible exhibit! The stained glass is beautiful and so interesting.
The amount of time that it took to create is mind boggling!
So incredibly stunning. We will place this on our list should we ever get to the area. Your photos are fabulous. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Lisa!!
I love stained glass! This is amazing. One more reason for me to travel out west.
It was beautiful and so interesting!
I love looking at stained glass… and these are absolutely incredible!! What an awesome place to visit!
I was intrigued and had to go check it out!
That display looks just enormous! I’d love to read more about it. Maybe I can work seeing it into a trip someday, too.
Roots of Knowledge is definitely interesting and worth the stop to experience in person!
Incredible stained glass!
What a beautiful exhibit. I would love to see it one day.
Yes, I wouldn’t mind seeing it again!!
Absolutely stunning photos! I have always loved stained glass…this was a treat to read and see, thank you for sharing!
Thank you Morayma! So glad you enjoyed it!