The Newel K. Whitney store was the site of many significant events in early Church history.

Four years ago, the store was restored in a year-long restoration project. At the dedication ceremony of the restored building on Aug. 25, 1984, President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency said, "If New York was the birthplace of the Church, Ohio was the school place because of the missionary work and the revelations received in the area. This area and this building have significant meaning in the history of the Church."Following are some of the major events occurring at the Whitney store:

- The School of the Prophets began in the Whitney store on Jan. 24, 1833. As a result of a revelation received in December 1832 (D&C 88), the elders of the Church began meeting to "teach one another the doctrines of the kingdom."

- The store was the first building to be called headquarters of the Church.

- The store was an early bishop's storehouse.

- Joseph Smith received much of his inspired revision of the Bible while residing above the store.

- The store was a place of revelation. Although the exact location of the Prophet's revelations cannot all be determined, he received 21 revelations while living above the Whitney store. It is very likely that a large percentage of these were received in the store, which would mean that more revelations were received by the Prophet in this building than in any other location.

Among the revelations received during this time were the prophecy on war (D&C 87), the "Olive Leaf" (D&C 88), the Word of Wisdom (D&C 89), instructions concerning the construction of the temple (D&C 94, 95, 97), counsel concerning persecutions that many members were suffering (D&C 98, 101), and minutes of the organization of the first high council (D&C 102).

The Newel K. Whitney store, which currently serves as a museum, was purchased by the Church in 1980, but the actual research and restoration on the building did not start until 1983. In addition to the President's Historic Preservation Award, the project also received the American Wood Council design award in 1984.

The Church owns a complex of historical buildings in Kirtland, according to Paul Anderson, project supervisor for the Whitney store restoration project. In addition to the store, the Church owns Whitney's home, Orson Hyde's home, and four other buildings from the same time period.