Established in 1966, Utah Heritage Foundation was the first statewide preservation organization in the western United States. Utah Heritage Foundation is to preserve, protect, and promote Utah's historic built environment through public awareness, advocacy, active preservation, and stewardship.
Public Awareness
Special Events
Utah Heritage Foundation's signature event is our Preservation Conference. In addition to a nationally-renowned keynote speaker and education sessions, this event includes our annual Historic Homes Tour and Heritage Awards. Each year a featured neighborhood of privately-owned historic buildings are opened to the public for docent-guided tours.
Utah Heritage Foundation's annual Heritage Awards highlights on-going preservation efforts in the state by honoring individuals, organizations, and projects that exemplify a commitment to excellence in preservation.
>> View Heritage Award winners.
Education Programs
Our heritage education program teaches students about Utah 's history and its historic resources. Students participate in planned activities, instruction, and discussion through tours of significant historic sites including the Kearns (Utah Governor's) Mansion and the Salt Lake City and County building. Teacher's guides that feature pre- and post-tour lessons for these two buildings and most recently, historic buildings in Washington County, are available to teachers free of charge.
>> Learn about our programs for teachers and students.
Volunteer Opportunities
Utah Heritage Foundation volunteers lead guided historic home tours, present education programs to students, lead public and school tours through historic landmarks such as the Salt Lake City & County Building and the Kearns (Utah Governor's) Mansion, or participate on committees or the Volunteer Guild Board.
>> Learn how to become a volunteer.
Advocacy
Utah Heritage Foundation advocates preservation-oriented public policies by drafting legislation, testifying before legislative committees, and lobbying for the passage of bills that preserve Utah's historic resources.
Among Utah Heritage Foundation's most significant advocacy successes are the passage of bills establishing the Utah Historic Preservation Tax Credit, which allows a 20% reinvestment tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic residential properties, and the Utah Main Street Program, which promotes economic development through the revitalization of historic downtowns.
>> Find out how you can be an advocate in your community.
Active Preservation
Low-interest Revolving Loan Fund
Rehab your historic home with a low-interest loan from Utah Heritage Foundation's Revolving Fund Loan Program. Utah Heritage Foundation administers the loan program to renew and stabilize neighborhoods by upgrading older existing homes. Property owners can receive loans for exterior and interior work.
>> Find out if your rehab project will qualify.
Technical Assistance
We respond to calls from citizens who need advice on saving endangered properties, conducting local preservation programs, passing local preservation ordinances, and integrating preservation into local planning
Stewardship
Utah Heritage Foundation is the steward of the historic Memorial House in Salt Lake City's Memory Grove Park . Utah Heritage Foundation rehabilitated the Memorial House after it stood vacant for 10 years. Our continued maintenance and operation of this city landmark as a meeting and events center ensures its use and enjoyment by the public once again.
