Community Stewardship Awards
Preservation Utah invites you to join us in celebrating the art and impact of historic preservation at the 2025 Community Stewardship Awards. This annual event honors the visionaries, artisans, and advocates who bring Utah’s history to life, ensuring that our shared heritage remains a vibrant part of our communities. For generations, we have gathered to recognize the creativity, dedication, and craftsmanship that make preservation possible. This celebration also serves as the kickoff for National Preservation Month, a nationwide observance sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation each May.
Sponsorship Information
2025 Community Stewardship Awards
Event Details
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Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
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Time:
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10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. VIP Reception for awardees and sponsors
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11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Award Ceremony
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Location: Historic Memorial House, Memory Grove Park
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Registration Opens: March 24, 2025
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Tickets
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Each awardee has two free tickets to the ceremony
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Volunteer jury members attend for free
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Sponsors can bring a table of guests to the ceremony
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Individual tickets are $50/person
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Celebrating This Year’s Awardees
Preservation Utah is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Community Stewardship Awards. These outstanding individuals, organizations, and projects have demonstrated excellence in preserving Utah’s historic places and cultural heritage. This year’s awardees represent diverse efforts, from meticulous restoration projects to visionary adaptive reuse developments.
Industry Experts
NEW for 2025!
Industry Experts honors professionals whose expertise and dedication have significantly advanced historic preservation in Utah.
These industry leaders have filled critical gaps in preservation, from windows to landscape architecture, safeguarding Utah’s built and natural heritage.
Legacy Business
The Legacy Business Award honors long-standing businesses that contribute to Utah’s historic and cultural landscape.
Beyond its famous fry sauce and nostalgic charm, this years business has remained deeply involved in the local community, supporting schools, first responders, and nonprofits.
Adaptive Reuse
Historic buildings or sites successfully adapted for a new use. Residential, commercial, civic, and religious projects are considered. Projects must be completed within the past five years, and tenants must be in place to be eligible.
Asher Adams
Project Dates: July 21, 2022 – November 7, 2024
Location: Union Pacific Depot, 2 S 400 West, Salt Lake City, UT
Architect: D.J. Paterson (Original), HKS Architects (Adaptive Reuse)
Project Team: The Athens Group, HKS Architects, JNS Architecture, MGB+A Landscape Design
Built in 1909, the Union Pacific Railroad Station was a key transportation hub, later falling into underuse. Now, through a thoughtful adaptive reuse project, it has been transformed into Asher Adams, a luxury hotel preserving 44,000 square feet of historic space, including the Grand Hall and south wing.
Harris Community Village
Project Dates: October 2022 – December 2023
Location: Harris Elementary, 251 N 1st Street, Tooele, UT
Construction Date: 1952
Project Team: Tooele County Housing Authority, SwitchPoint, Giv Group, AJC Architects, Arcsitio Design, Wadman Corporation, BHB Structural, WHW Engineering, BNA Consulting
Harris Community Village repurposed the former Harris Elementary School, a long-standing community landmark, into a shelter and resource center for Tooele County’s vulnerable populations. Once a bustling school, the 1952 structure had been vacant for years before this adaptive reuse project renewed its purpose.
Rehabilitation and Restoration
Historic buildings or sites that have been stabilized, renovated, or restored. Residential, commercial, civic, and religious projects are considered. Projects must be completed by the time of application and within the past five years to be eligible.
Armstrong Mansion
Project Dates: November 2022 – July 2023
Building: 667 E. 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Construction Date: 1891–1893
Team Members
The restoration project, completed in 2023, was more than just a preservation effort—it was a mission-driven transformation. The Other Side Academy, an organization that rehabilitates and trains individuals seeking a second chance, led the restoration, with The Other Side Builders as the general contractor. Academy students performed the majority of the work, providing them with valuable hands-on experience in historic restoration under the guidance of General Manager Jordon Holdaway.
Cahoon Mansion
Project Dates: July 2019 – March 2025
Building: 4872 Poplar St, Murray, UT 84107
Construction Date: 1899–1903
Architect: Unknown
Team Members
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Abstract Masonry
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Calder Richards Consulting Engineers
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Dan Talbot Construction
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FFKR Architects
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Gerdts Concrete
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Jay Fairman Construction
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Josh Probert Historical Consulting
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Murray City Corporation
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Newtown HVAC
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Omega Electric
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Paulsen Construction
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The Paint Company
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VBFA
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Wallboard Specialties
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the Cahoon Mansion has long been a treasured part of Murray’s history. When the city’s previous museum site was lost due to the sale of City Hall, the decision was made to transform the mansion into a new museum space. The extensive rehabilitation project, completed in 2025, was a collaborative effort that successfully preserved the mansion’s historic character while adapting it for modern museum use.
Midgley House
Project Dates: November 2018 – February 2024
Building: 515 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Construction Date: 1882
Team Members
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Jeff Taylor
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AJC Architects
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O A Rice Masonry
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June Engineering
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VBFA Engineering
The Midgley House, built in 1882, stood as one of the last remaining adobe structures in Salt Lake City when Jeff Taylor purchased it in 2018. The one-story home, with its Neoclassical and Greek Revival elements, had been vacant for 30 years, its walls buried under layers of wallpaper and its adobe fabric deteriorating. Rather than letting the structure fall further into disrepair, Taylor embarked on an ambitious six-year restoration, preserving the building’s historic integrity while adapting it for modern use.
Individuals
Includes those who have significantly contributed to historic preservation in Utah in the past five years or exemplified the value of stewardship by preserving the historic character of a historic building or site over time through regular and appropriate maintenance. The individuals that receive this award may represent a variety of disciplines and may be volunteers, grassroots activists, government agencies, or paid professionals.
John Williams
Project Dates: 1970s – 2016
Notable Restorations:
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New York Hotel (Market Street Grill)
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Fire Station No. 8 (Market Street Broiler)
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Salt Lake Hardware Company Building
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Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Building
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Ford Motor Company Building
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Pierpont Building
John Williams was a visionary restaurateur, designer, and developer who revolutionized Salt Lake City’s downtown through his preservation work. He saw potential in neglected buildings and transformed them into vibrant spaces that became beloved local institutions. His work laid the foundation for adaptive reuse long before it became a preservation trend.
Legacy Business
This category includes businesses and non-profit or community organizations that are thirty years of age or older and have significantly improved/contributed to the history and culture of their town or neighborhood. They must be active members of their community and able to show their contributions.
Warrens Family Restaurants
Founded: 1955
Celebrating 70 Years of Community Legacy!
Warrens Family Restaurants, a staple of the Wasatch Front since 1955, has become synonymous with nostalgia, community, and enduring success. Starting as a classic burger and shake spot with a 1950s-era drive-in atmosphere, Warrens has expanded its legacy to seven locations.
NEW THIS YEAR - Industry Experts
Recognizing professionals who have significantly advanced the preservation field through their expertise, leadership, and innovative practices. These individuals set the standard for excellence in preserving our shared heritage.
Restoration West
Founding Year: 2022
Key Team Member: Caitlyn Barhorst
Window Restoration Industry Expert: Honoring outstanding work in window preservation and restoration, including the meticulous repair, replication, or innovation that balances historic authenticity with modern functionality.
Restoration West has quickly established itself as a leader in historic window restoration in Utah. Founded by Caitlyn Barhorst in 2022, the company filled a critical gap in the market for skilled window restoration professionals, addressing the challenges homeowners face in preserving their historic windows. Since its inception, the company has grown from a one-person operation to a team of seven, meeting the increasing demand for quality craftsmanship in historic window repair and restoration.
Susan Crook
Architect Industry Expert: Highlighting architects who have demonstrated extraordinary vision and dedication in designing projects that respect, restore, and reimagine historic spaces while maintaining their original character.
Projects:
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Orson B. Adams Farmstead
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Salt Lake City Cemetery
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Fillmore Cemetery
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Fort Douglas, Stilwell Field
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Union Stock Yard
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Washington Fields Erosion Control Complex
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Porter Farm Historic Landscape Renovation
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Pioneer Park Cultural Landscape Report
Susan Crook’s legacy in historic preservation is profound. Her contributions to preserving Utah’s historic landscapes, including cemeteries, residential areas, and city landmarks, continue to inspire. She has significantly advanced the field of landscape architecture, and her work remains a lasting influence in Utah.
NEW THIS YEAR - Advocacy in Action
This award celebrates individuals, organizations, or coalitions that have successfully advocated for a historic place or space protection, recognition, or revitalization. Whether through policy change, public engagement, or grassroots efforts, these advocates have made a lasting impact by championing the value of historic preservation in their communities.
Abravanel Hall Advocacy Coalition
Dates: April 29 – October 8, 2024
Building Location: 123 W South Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT
Building Architect: FFKR
Construction Date: 1979
Key Advocates: House Genealogy, Utah Symphony Musicians, Utah Youth Symphony
In 2024, Abravanel Hall, a cultural and architectural icon of Salt Lake City, faced the threat of demolition. In response, a coalition of musicians, preservationists, and community advocates launched a tireless campaign to protect the hall from redevelopment. Their advocacy mobilized thousands of supporters, drove policy action, and ensured the hall’s future as a cornerstone of the city’s performing arts scene.
NEW THIS YEAR - Young Preservationist
This award recognizes the next generation of preservationists. It honors individuals or groups under 25 who have demonstrated a commitment to protecting and promoting Utah’s historic places. Through hands-on restoration, advocacy, research, or creative storytelling, these young leaders ensure that the past remains an essential part of our future.
Spanish Fork High School Mascot Tile Mural Preservation
Project Dates: April 9, 2024 to September 30, 2024
Building: Spanish Fork High School, 158 North 630 West, Spanish Fork, UT
In 2024, Abravanel Hall, a cultural and architectural icon of Salt Lake City, faced the threat of demolition. In response, a coalition of musicians, preservationists, and community advocates launched a tireless campaign to protect the hall from redevelopment. Their advocacy mobilized thousands of supporters, drove policy action, and ensured the hall’s future as a cornerstone of the city’s performing arts scene.