Who We Are: A Strategic Plan for Utah’s Cultural Resources, 2009-2016

Introduction: "Over the past 10 years, Utah has made great strides in the preservation of cultural resources. The decade has seen such important, major renovations as the Utah State Capitol, the Salt Lake Tabernacle, and the Provo Public Library, as well as countless smaller projects of renovation and re-use. More than 11,000 buildings have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. A Traditional Buildings Skills Institute has flourished, and scientists have begun to study the unparalleled archaeological record in Range Creek Canyon. Congress created two National Heritage Areas in Utah, and other parts of the state are actively developing heritage tourism. Many members of the public value cultural resources and seek them out as part of their everyday lives, work, and leisure. Despite such progress, at this moment Utah’s cultural resources face serious threats. In the minds of many, economic development outweighs preservation; many, in fact, feel that preservation impedes economic development. Similarly, many feel that practicality and preservation are incompatible. When conflicts arise, cultural resources often get short shrift. In addition, oil and gas development, population, and recreation—all increasing at steep rates, threaten and damage resources. Finally, a younger generation that is highly engaged with technology and popular culture likely has little consciousness of the value of cultural resources. Utah’s preservation community is broad. 94 Certified Local Governments (CLGs) in the state work to preserve buildings within communities. Several Heritage Areas and Preserve America communities bring history to life by interpreting the past through the human-influenced environment. The state also has active groups such as the Utah Heritage Foundation, Utah Statewide Archaeological Association, Utah Rock Art Research Association, Utah Professional Archaeological Council, Colorado Plateau Associates, and trails advocates, as well as various groups working to save specific buildings or sites. Consultants and educators play major roles in preservation, as do architects, builders, craftspeople, agencies, and developers who understand the multiple contributions cultural resources can make. All these contribute to the preservation, understanding, and interpretation of Utah’s cultural resources. In partnership with these groups, Utah’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has produced a strategic plan for Utah’s cultural resources for the years 2009-2016. The plan includes direct strategies for preserving resources, but its emphasis is on public attitudes. Over the last two or three decades, public attitudes have shifted dramatically in favor of cultural resource preservation, but the shift is not yet strong enough to prevent further unfortunate losses of Utah’s cultural resources. This plan includes: A vision for Utah’s cultural resources through the year 2016 Strategies and action steps for achieving the vision Appendices: Cultural Resources in Utah; Statutory Responsibilities of the State Historic Preservation Office and Antiquities Section; How This Plan Was Developed; Annotated Bibliography This plan replaces “History Looks to the Future: Planning for Utah’s Future,” printed in 2001, and addresses preservation activities in Utah for the next seven years. The next plan will be produced in 2016." Funding was provided in part by a 2009 Historic Preservation Fund grant administered by the Utah State Historic Preservation Office (project number UT-09-005, grant number 49-09-21850) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Who We Are: A Strategic Plan for Utah’s Cultural Resources, 2009-2016

See also

Collections