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Preserving Utah's Past, Shaping Its Future
Empowering Communities to Protect Their History, One Landmark at a Time.

At Preservation Utah, we are committed to protecting and celebrating our architectural history, neighborhoods, communities, and cultural resources. We serve all of Utah - 82,355 square miles, 52.6 million acres, 44 cities, and 101 towns inside 29 counties and we believe preservation efforts are most successful when they are community-driven. 

 

We can help you weigh your options and provide feedback. Depending on Preservation Utah’s assessment of the situation, we may be able to offer technical assistance and resource information, broker meetings, brainstorm solutions, or offer other support.

 

We have outlined some information below to help you get started. However, we highly recommend you go through the rest of our website, as we have pulled together a lot of information to help. ​​​​

Preservation Community

Every community has its own unique way of coming together. To help you find the best path to get involved—or to help others make connections—we’ve compiled resources below to guide you in engaging with Utah’s preservation community.

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Historical Community Groups

Sometimes, the power of an organized group can be more successful than any individual's effort or ability to affect change. If you're passionate about preserving a historic site but can't find an existing organization to collaborate with, consider starting a grassroots movement. By partnering or forming a group dedicated to saving local history, you can rally community support and tackle challenges together.

 

Examples of grassroots and local preservation organizations in Utah include:

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Please contact us if you would like assistance connecting with local community groups and organizations.

The Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is a key resource for communities and individuals committed to historic preservation; as one of the 59 SHPOs across the U.S. and its territories, Utah's SHPO is dedicated to preserving the state's history through advising, assisting, and collaborating with the public and government agencies. While a central part of its mission involves evaluating and nominating historic properties to the National Register of Historic Places, Utah’s SHPO offers far more than just listing sites.

 

Utah’s SHPO plays a vital role in maintaining a comprehensive database of archaeological sites and historic properties across the state, and it provides support to communities through several programs. The office awards grants through the Certified Local Governments program, manages tax credits to incentivize the rehabilitation of historic buildings, and guides state and federal agencies on preservation projects. The Utah Main Street Program, managed by the SHPO, also brings together community members to revitalize historic commercial districts, fostering economic growth and preservation efforts.

 

Preservation Utah co-hosts the annual Historic Preservation Conference with SHPO. This conference brings together experts and the public to celebrate Utah's communities through sessions and tours, highlighting how preserving our shared history contributes to vibrant futures.

 

Learn more and connect with SHPO

Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

How to Get Started

What makes the building or place significant? 

  • Is the architecture unusual or special?

  • Was a famous or local architect involved?

  • Did an important builder build it?

  • Who lived in it? Who owned it? Did a famous person live there?

  • Did a significant event take place there?

  • How old is it? 

  • Are there articles written about it?

  • Are there any photos of it?

  • Is it on the National Register of Historic Places? You can locate the National Register status on the National Register Information System. A register listing doesn’t always protect a building, but it shows significance.

  • Are there other designations?

 

Determine the exact nature of the threat to the building/landscape. 

  • Is it threatened with demolition or with alteration beyond recognition? 

 

Be clear about the impact if the issue is not addressed.

  • Is there an environmental impact

  • What is the economic impact

 

Determine your goal (or that of your group).

 

Find allies

  • Determine who else is working on the issue (local historical societies, preservation organizations, government agencies) and join forces with them. 

  • Bring in neighborhood associations, historical societies, architectural and preservation organizations at the local, state, and national levels, trade unions, students, or professional groups that may have some affinity for the issue.

 

Make the community aware.

  • Show people why it is important to save. 

  • Utilize social media (all platforms if you can) 

  • Consider letter writing, petitions, letters to the editors, public rallies, and communicating with the press.

  • Attend and speak at local council and planning commission meetings when advocacy-related issues/buildings are on the agenda.

 

Always maintain professional behavior.

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