Preservation Utah

Preservation Utah We preserve & protect Utah's historic built environment through public awareness and advocacy.

Our mission is to keep the past alive, not only for preservation, but to inspire and provoke a more creative present and sustainable future.

Word of the day: Quoins. (Pronounced "coins." Yes, really.)Quoins are alternating blocks of stone, brick, or wood placed...
06/09/2026

Word of the day: Quoins. (Pronounced "coins." Yes, really.)

Quoins are alternating blocks of stone, brick, or wood placed vertically along a building's corners. They are a detail that shows the builder cared about the design. The pattern of large and small blocks is intentional. It frames the building, makes the edges stand out, and shows that the corners matter.

And on many of Utah's older buildings, the ornamentation wasn't just decorative. Quoins helped reinforce corners structurally, binding masonry walls together at their most vulnerable point.

You can find quoins in almost every style across Utah's historic neighborhoods, from Gothic Revival cottages to Victorian mansions and Tudor homes. The materials and sizes may change, but the purpose stays the same: to make the corners stand out.

What buildings in your neighborhood have quoins you've never had a name for until now?

Word of the day: Portico.A portico is a covered entryway typically supported by columns. It protects you from rain, snow...
06/08/2026

Word of the day: Portico.

A portico is a covered entryway typically supported by columns. It protects you from rain, snow, and Utah's intense afternoon sun. Practical? Yes. But that's only part of its job.

Architecturally, a portico breaks up a flat facade, creates depth and shadow, and pulls your eye directly to the entrance. It turns arriving somewhere into a moment, creating a transition between the street and whatever's inside.

That's a lot of work for a small porch.

Utah's historic buildings used porticos across every scale, from sweeping columned mansions to simple brick bungalow entries. As you can see from these photos, some people also figured out that they make a pretty good place for entertaining.

Once you learn the word, you'll spot it everywhere. What's a portico you walk past regularly?

In 1901, Alfred and Elizabeth McCune built what they called a "simple" bungalow on Capitol Hill. They stopped counting c...
06/05/2026

In 1901, Alfred and Elizabeth McCune built what they called a "simple" bungalow on Capitol Hill. They stopped counting costs when the bill reached $500,000. They imported roof tiles from Holland, rare white satin-grained mahogany from South America, and a room-sized mirror from Germany. The ceiling murals and decorative borders took an artist from New York two years to paint.

Completed in 1901 and restored in 2001, the McCune Mansion is one of Utah's most extraordinary surviving historic buildings. This Wednesday, June 10 at 10 a.m., Preservation Utah's volunteer guides will open its doors for a one-hour historic tour.

You'll start in the first-floor octagonal reception room and make your way up to the third-floor ballroom. Be sure to see the Venetian marble bathroom.

Each tour is limited to 20 people, so register soon. The mansion is fully ADA accessible, and service dogs are welcome.

https://www.preservationutah.org/events-1/mccune-mansion-historic-tour-18

*Please do not contact the mansion directly for historical tours. Preservation Utah tours are the only way to experience historical tours of the McCune Mansion.*

06/03/2026

Now booking fall 2026 and peak 2027 dates at Memorial House!

Our most popular dates fill up quickly, especially fall weekends at Memory Grove Park. Whether you're dreaming of a wedding, a corporate dinner, a milestone celebration, or a nonprofit gala, our historic venue has welcomed gatherings of all kinds since the 1920s.

Natural light, chandeliers, a cozy fireplace, a wraparound patio, and the gardens of Memory Grove Park — all just minutes from downtown Salt Lake City.

Inquire and book a tour at https://www.memorialhouse-utah.com/book-an-event

Historic Preservation Month ends today. If the month went by quickly or you missed the weekend events, you can still loo...
06/01/2026

Historic Preservation Month ends today. If the month went by quickly or you missed the weekend events, you can still look forward to Preservation Engaged 2026, coming to Ogden next month.

Preservation Utah is hosting the Opening Reception on Thursday, June 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Ogden. This is a chance to connect with preservation professionals, advocates, planners, architects, and community leaders from across Utah and to celebrate what the community has accomplished.

The full conference will be held on Friday, June 12, at Ogden High School. There will be keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and workshops, all coordinated by the Utah State Historic Preservation Office.

Register for the opening reception and find all conference details at https://www.preservationutah.org/preservationconference

If you want to see one of our Community Stewardship Award winners up close, this weekend is your chance.The Morgan Union...
05/28/2026

If you want to see one of our Community Stewardship Award winners up close, this weekend is your chance.

The Morgan Union Pacific Depot (98 N. Commercial Street, Morgan, UT, 84050) was built in 1926 in the Mission Revival style, a design credited to architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood. It stands at the heart of Commercial Street in Morgan and celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. It served as a Union Pacific passenger station until 1972, then was donated to Morgan City in 1982. The depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. After years of sitting empty, a CLG grant in 2020 started its restoration. Renovation brought the building up to ADA standards and addressed years of deferred maintenance. Local contractors finished the work in December 2023. Today, it houses the Morgan County Historical Society and Visitors Center and stands as a landmark showing what dedicated restoration can achieve.

The 3rd Annual Front Street Festival, hosted by the Morgan County Historical Society, is on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Commercial Street. The street reflects Morgan's growth since the 1860s, with preserved buildings that reflect the area's mountain-valley character. You can take a self-guided walking tour with informational plaques to learn about the history at your own pace. The festival features live music, local food, plein air painting, crafts, and a kids' train ride, so there is something for everyone in the family.

Historic Preservation Month ends this weekend. Find out what else is happening across Utah at preservationutah.org/preservation-month.

Built to endure, just like the values of those who served.Happy Memorial Day from Preservation Utah. We are closed today...
05/25/2026

Built to endure, just like the values of those who served.

Happy Memorial Day from Preservation Utah. We are closed today and will be back on Tuesday.

Address

375 N Canyon Road
Salt Lake City, UT
84103

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18015330858

Website

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