Utah’s Mining Heritage: You Want to Save that Rusty Stuff?

In celebration of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month, the Utah State Historic Preservation Office is excited to host a series of brown bag lectures. Join us on May 13 as we welcome Dr. Seth Button, archaeologist for the Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mines, at the Taylorsville Library.

About the presentation:

Mining has shaped the state of Utah geographically, demographically, and economically. Thousands of old mines can still be found in Utah’s mountains and canyons. Along with the stories of those who worked and lived there, they bear witness to the hard work and resourcefulness of Utah miners and their families. For a long time, however, the physical remains of mine surface plants, mills, and mine camps were treated as scrap metal, depressed real estate, and dangerous hazards rather than something worth saving or studying. As a result, much of Utah’s mining heritage has been lost — and much of what remains is endangered. Success stories show how historic properties can be economic assets and provide important information about history. Creative approaches can balance preservation with reclamation and development to save headframes, mine buildings, and mining towns for future generations.

About the speaker:

Seth Button is originally from Rochester, NY. He obtained his B.A. from Dartmouth College and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He has worked in Utah archaeology since 2010, and since 2017 has worked for the State of Utah’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program as the program archaeologist. He is also the point of contact for AMRP’s oral history program, which collects the stories and experiences of people involved in mining in Utah.