Conference Program

Welcome Address, 9:00a.m. - 9:20a.m.

Keynote Speaker: Emily Larsen, 9:20a.m. - 9:45a.m., "Preserving Heritage, Cultivating Community: A Reflection on 100 Spring Salons and The Students That Built Art City"

This keynote reflects on 100 Spring Salon exhibitions at the Springville Museum of Art and the integral role of historic preservation in Springville’s “Art City” identity. The Museum's collection originated in 1903 when two local artists donated artworks to the high school. Over time, students expanded the collection, and in the 1920s they began hosting an annual large-scale national art exhibition (now known as the annual Spring Salon). This keynote will examine the lessons learned in preserving this rich community history and identity – in art, archival materials, architecture, and infrastructure – and how we plan to celebrate this historic anniversary and the students that built Art City!

Utah’s Architectural History in Practice, 9:55a.m. - 10:55a.m.
Join industry professionals in learning more about Utah’s built environment. Architectural historians will present on the evolution of architectural styles and building types in Utah, drawing in real world examples of how we use this information in the cultural resource sector. Discussions will cover a statewide pre and post-World War Two housing study and a Reconnaissance Level Survey of neighborhoods in the Salt Lake Valley’s west side.

Expanded Engagement in Preservation, 11:05a.m. - 12:05p.m.
This workshop is crafted to provide participants with concrete examples and practical tools to break down barriers to engagement in preservation efforts. From addressing the unique challenges of different backgrounds and settings to tailoring outreach to different audiences. We’ll explore tangible approaches that go beyond conventional boundaries. Participants will be inspired to make a tangible impact on cultural and historical preservation in their communities with the tools and examples needed to navigate and overcome diverse challenges.

Preserving the Brigham Young Academy Building: Backstory & Architectural Significance, 1:05p.m. - 2:35p.m.
There is a little known, harrowing back story regarding the preservation of Provo’s Public Library .at Academy Square (open in 2000). Join Historic preservationists Craig M. Call, Dina Blaes and Brad Westwood, as they recall and describe a twenty-five year campaign (1975-2000) to defend, preserve and adaptively reuse this beloved late 19th c. landmark. This session includes visual presentations with a Q&A session afterward.

Training the Next Generation of Preservationists, 2:45p.m. - 4:15p.m.
There are both success stories and gaps in the training of future generations of historic preservation professionals in Utah, and also working to broaden what that title even means. Presenters in this panel will span planning, landscape architecture, archaeology and traditional building skills arenas of higher education, and how they all intersect with the future of Utah's historic places.

Amanda Knight Hall Tour, 2:45p.m. - 4:15p.m.*
Brigham Young University’s first women’s dormitory was constructed 1938-39 and named after generous BYU benefactor, and lover of education, Amanda Knight. After its initial use as a dormitory, the building was used for classrooms and offices until 2018 when it was scheduled for demolition (for the second time). A community-led effort to save the building followed and was ultimately successful, ending in a rehabilitation project that returned the building back to women’s housing by making use of Historic Tax Credits. Come along with us as we tour Amanda Knight Hall and review the many efforts it took to save it. [This tour requires pre-registration.]

From Storefront to Sidewalk: Activating Main Street Spaces, 9:55a.m. - 10:55a.m.
In this session, you'll discover innovative approaches to revitalizing Main Street districts through strategies aimed at activating and enhancing public spaces, fostering community engagement, and maximizing economic and cultural impact. Join Josh Yost as he presents practical solutions and success stories highlighting key principles that drive the activation of spaces and contribute to the vibrancy of Provo's Center Street. Topics include store front and facade restoration that activate public spaces.

Leveraging Civic Engagement + Partnerships: A Case Study of Ogden City's Historic 25th Street, 11:05a.m. - 12:05p.m.
Main Street districts serve as the heart of communities and understanding the importance of civic engagement is essential for cultivating meaningful relationships and thriving community hubs. This session explores the integral connection between Main Street districts, civic engagement, and the impactful role of public-private partnerships in community revitalization. Learn from tangible examples in Ogden City’s Historic 25th Street, where collaborative efforts have preserved historical charm, fueled economic growth, and created a distinct community identity. Ogden is an Affiliate Main Street Community with Utah Main Street Program.

Life on Main Street: The Crucial Role of Housing in Main Street Revitalization, 1:05p.m. - 2:35p.m.
Housing inventory and affordability are among the most pressing issues facing Utah. Main street districts are uniquely poised to respond to these issues by utilizing existing underused spaces. Join practitioners, designers, and property owners in an engaging presentation and panel discussion around opportunities and challenges for housing in Main Street districts. The session aims to explore approaches, best practices, and successful case studies that underscore the importance of housing in fostering robust and lively Main Street communities.

Training the Next Generation of Preservationists, 2:45p.m. - 4:15p.m.
There are both success stories and gaps in the training of future generations of historic preservation professionals in Utah, and also working to broaden what that title even means. Presenters in this panel will span planning, landscape architecture, archaeology and traditional building skills arenas of higher education, and how they all intersect with the future of Utah's historic places.

Walking Tour: Provo’s Historic Center Street, 2:45p.m. - 4:15p.m.*
Embark on a guided walking tour of Provo’s Historic Center Street with Joshua Yost and Quinn Peterson. Explore preservation-based economic revitalization and witness how it breathes life within the 25-acre Provo Downtown Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Gain insights into the district's historic buildings, human-centered experiential design, policies and infrastructure improvements. Discover the activation of Historic Center Street through promotion, local businesses, and more. [This tour requires pre-registration.]

Managing Cultural Resources on Public Lands: Wildlife and Vegetation Management, 9:55a.m. - 10:55a.m.
Few Utahns know the lengths to which federal and state agencies identify and manage cultural resources on public and even private lands because of wildfire and vegetation management projects. Every year, thousands of acres of Utah are inventoried by professional archaeologists who identify hundreds of archaeological sites ranging from the first peopling of Utah to more recent ranching and mining history. In addition to protecting these sites from projects, we also are learning more about humans and archaeological survey methods as part of these efforts. Session will bring together archaeologists and land managers to discuss various ways vegetation management intersects cultural resources and grows state/federal partnerships.

The Provo Tabernacle: Rising From the Ashes, 11:05a.m. - 12:05p.m.
In 2010, a horrific fire engulfed the historic Provo Tabernacle, and many thought it would be soon demolished. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University, and numerous expert consultants, however, worked to preserve and reimagine the now burned shell. Archival research and physical documentation helped to preserve the history of the building and influence future plans. Session will track the Provo Tabernacle story from the fire, to archival research and documentation, to the archaeological work on Provo’s first tabernacle, and then how the reconstruction was guided by all that was learned from the site’s history.

Non-Agency Land Managers who Rock at Preserving Cultural Heritage, 1:05p.m. -  2:35p.m.
You have heard of the Forest Service, BLM and other land management agencies, all of whom work hard to preserve Utah’s history. But what about all of the heritage sites that are not on public lands? Did you know that there are also private families, municipalities, counties, nonprofits and for profit organizations who are equally as committed to safeguarding cultural resources? There is a lot we can learn from these folks. Join the Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Program as we explore the strategies others land managers employ for the ongoing protection of cultural heritage assets on their land.

Aerial View of History: Use of Airborne Technology to Better Understand our Human Past, 2:45p.m. - 4:15p.m.
Airborne technology through drones has revolutionized many sectors of human society, and archaeological and cultural heritage is no different. Long before drones, and still today, airplanes have been used to identify and document vast archaeological and historic landscapes. In Utah, use of drones by the professional and non-professional community is opening new windows to the past but also offering new challenges to land managers. Session will explore different technologies being employed in Utah to learn and document 13,000 years of history, but also to inform land managers of potential impacts on a grand scale.