Cane exhibit celebrates people, places and events from Church history

14 July 2001, 12:00 a.m. MDT

Joseph F. Smith's "Alaska" walking stick. The exhibit also includes photos of well-known people of the era using canes. Courtesy LDS Church

By Church News Archives

Step back a century in time and you'll find walking sticks were as synonymous with men's fashion as ties and top hats.

Now visitors to the Museum of Church History and Art can view a display of several historic walking sticks, or canes, once used by prominent men of LDS history. The exhibit runs through Nov. 11, 2001.

"In earlier centuries, you might use a cane to fend off an attack from a robber," said display organizer Gary Boatright. "But, besides its practical uses for defense or support, a cane became a symbol of a person's position in society."

The foyer exhibit centers around canes owned by or given as gifts to Church leaders. Other canes included in the display were made to celebrate people, places and events from Church history.

Six of the canes belonged to Brigham Young. Others were gifts to Lorenzo Snow, Heber J. Grant, Joseph F. Smith and N. Eldon Tanner. A cane owned by Martin Harris is on loan from the Harris family and will be removed for display at the annual Martin Harris Pageant at Clarkston, Utah, Aug. 8-28.

Bent cane once used by Brigham Young. The exhibit also includes photos of well-known people of the era using canes. | Courtesy LDS Church

Also included in the exhibit are two canes made from the oak coffin which carried Joseph Smith's body from Carthage to Nauvoo, Ill. Other unusual walking sticks include one designed from some of the first glass made in Utah and a hand-carved cane by George Alan Miller depicting two dozen events from early Church history. Two defensive canes — one which converts into a gun and another into a 12-inch knife — are on display.

"Along with the canes we include a few photographs of some well-known people dressed in their top hats and black suits and holding canes as part of the fashion statement of the day," Brother Boatright said. "We've also displayed some of the clothing items from the late 19th century."

The museum is located on West Temple, just west of Temple Square and a half block north of the Temple Square TRAX station in Salt Lake City. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and most holidays. Admission is free. Call (801) 240-3310 for more information.