Conference Program

Conference Check-In + Light Breakfast, 8am-9am

Welcome Address, Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski, 9am - 9:10am

Keynote Speaker, Lisa Eccles, The Life and Lasting Legacy of David Eccles, 9:10am - 9:40am
Pioneering industrialist David Eccles lived the American Dream, emerging from poverty to launch more than 50 businesses, from construction and railroads to banks and mining. He also had a strong belief in helping the families and communities that had given him so much. His great-granddaughter, Lisa Eccles, President and COO of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, will share how David’s legacy of hard work, charity and goodwill informs her family’s ongoing commitment to giving back.

Historic Districts: National vs. Local and Strategies for Success, 9:50am - 10:50am
While National Register and Local Historic districts share the common goal of historic preservation, the day to day implications for community members and property owners differ in substantive ways. This session provides a comparative analysis of these two frameworks, focusing on the paths to creation, types of regulation and enforcement (or lack thereof), and related incentives. Attendees will gain a toolkit for navigating these two types of districts and overall best practices for thriving within one. 

Adaptive Reuse as Storytelling: Reviving the Spirit of Place, 11am - 12pm
Unique from historic buildings, historic landscapes are defined not only by structures, but also by patterns of use, cultural memory, and the evolving relationship between people and land. In this session, we will explore how adaptive reuse can be a powerful preservation treatment for historic landscapes, as it offers a compelling way to tell their evolving stories. Through case studies of Io LandArch’s work at Ogden Business Exchange Commons and Allen Park, participants will gain insight into applying an adaptive reuse treatment.

Utah's Art Deco Gem: Ogden High School, 1pm - 2:30pm
During the first half of the 20th Century, Ogden was an important transportation hub in the Intermountain West and had become known for its modern architecture, in particular its Art Deco style buildings located throughout the city. In 2013, the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented the Ogden School District and its foundation with a prestigious National Preservation Honor Award for its 2007-2012 renovation of Ogden’s and Utah’s crown jewel Art Deco building – Ogden High School. Join us as this session will explore the history, architecture, and rehabilitation work of Utah’s first million-dollar high school. 

Building Careers, Preserving History: Training Tomorrow's Workforce at Monte Cristo Guard Station, 2:40pm - 4:10pm
This session highlights a unique partnership between HistoriCorp, Weber Basin Job Corps, and the United States Forest Service that teaches disadvantaged youth the hands-on skills needed to do preservation trades work. Working on-site at the Monte Cristo Guard Station, students learn directly from historians and professional tradespeople in an effort to fill a critical gap in the preservation workforce. The program focuses on turning these specialized skills into lifelong careers, ensuring both our national heritage and the students' futures are built to last.

Context Sensitive Design and Infill for Main Street Districts, 9:50am - 10:50am
Historic Main Streets are living districts that must balance preservation with growth as Utah communities see renewed downtown investment. This panel explores best practices in context-sensitive design and infill, highlighting how building form, the public realm, and street-level design can reinforce the architectural and cultural DNA of historic districts. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and tools, including form-based codes, streetscape standards, and activation tactics, to ensure new development strengthens historic character while supporting vibrant businesses and long-term economic vitality.

Working with UDOT in our Downtown Corridors, 11am - 12pm
When a community’s Main Street also functions as a state highway, success requires a shared understanding of roadway typology and context-sensitive design. In this presentation, we explore UDOT’s role as a strategic partner in aligning transportation infrastructure with local economic vitality and placemaking goals. Drawing on lessons from workshops and on-the-ground realities, UDOT demonstrates how state planners and engineers can work together with local leaders through collaborative frameworks to balance regional mobility with a strong sense of place. Attendees will leave with a practical roadmap—focused on early engagement, flexible design standards, and funding strategies—for transforming state corridors into vibrant, multi-modal community hubs.

Think Global, Activate Local: The Olympics and Downtown Placemaking, 1pm - 2:30pm
Mega-events like the Olympics can create lasting legacies for host cities—revitalized downtowns, strategic infrastructure investments, and renewed global visibility. As Utah prepares to host the Olympic Games again in 2034, state long-range planning efforts are already shaping how communities grow, invest, and preserve their historic downtown cores. This session explores how Olympic host cities, including Salt Lake City (2002), have strengthened historic downtowns through streetscape improvements, adaptive reuse, and cultural investment. Through case studies and discussion, participants will examine how Utah’s historic downtowns can align local preservation and economic development strategies with statewide initiatives, using arts and events to build long-term economic vitality and an authentic sense of place beyond 2034.

Experiencing Ogden's Downtown Revitalization Through Preservation, Place, and People 2:40pm - 4:10pm
Step outside the conference room and into downtown Ogden. This immersive, tour-based session explores how Ogden’s Main Street revitalization weaves together historic preservation, housing, creative identity, and economic vitality. Traveling via public transit to Historic 25th Street, participants will learn from local leaders how preservation-based planning and strong partnerships are driving authentic, long-term downtown revitalization.*

*REGISTRATION FOR THIS TOUR WILL BE REQUIRED AND BECOME AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE.

Agritourism and the Utah Heritage Barn Program, 9:50am - 10:50am
Agricultural heritage is the bedrock of Utah’s identity, yet we tend not to think about this as core to historic preservation. Agritourism is a growing way of connecting modern Utahns to historic agricultural landscapes and practices, and part of this is preserving these unique historic places. In this session, participants will learn how preserving ranching and farming infrastructure supports Utah’s thriving agricultural economy and the growing agritourism sector, and a new initiative, the Utah Heritage Barn program. This session explores agritourism from the perspective of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, the Utah Farm Bureau, and property owners.

Activating Cultural Resources into Valuable Assets for Modern Communities, 11am - 12pm
Cultural Resources are the heartbeat of a community, yet their value is often not fully recognized or utilized.  This training shifts the focus from forgotten or passive observation to active, tangible interaction. By connecting physical assets like historic downtowns, landscapes, and artifacts to the power of hands-on experience and storytelling, we transform "old things" into relevant, fun, and lived experiences. Participants will explore creative methods to bridge the gap between history and modern life, driving growth in heritage tourism and recreation, a leading economic driver in this state. When we make history accessible and engaging, we don't just entertain; we build a movement to safeguard these treasures for future generations.

Investing in Utah's Story through Responsible Recreation, 1pm - 2:30pm
The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation provides community-focused grants to help local organizations develop sustainable projects that link heritage preservation with active recreation. In this session, attendees will explore available funding streams and learn practical strategies for utilizing these resources to protect Utah’s legacy. In order to do this, a panel of grant recipients will present four case studies demonstrating how projects that successfully preserve history can also enhance the state’s world-class outdoor opportunities.

Historic Preservation through Powerful Interpretation: Creating Signage that Fosters Community Stewardship, 2:40pm - 4:10pm
How does a physical marker transform a casual observer into a steward of history? Join specialists from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for a deep dive into the lifecycle of effective interpretive signage. This workshop moves beyond basic facts to explore the rigorous research, community driven design, and strategic placement necessary to bring cultural resources to life. Participants will learn how well crafted interpretation acts as a tangible guardian, fostering a public sense of value that directly reduces vandalism and encourages long-term preservation. By the end of this session, attendees will understand how to enhance visitor experiences and ensure their community's heritage is both respected and remembered.