Welcome to Utah’s Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month! Every year the Utah State Historic Preservation Office rounds up the very best events so that YOU can get to know the prehistory and history of our state!
We love the past, and we love that this year we get to bring it to you through a variety of online and in-person events. For many in-person events, you may see that registration is limited, and that is for public health. We also strongly recommend that participants in in-person events wear appropriate face masks and practice social distancing.
And of course, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to get information on all these events, and connect with your pals at the SHPO. We can’t wait to see you, whether that be online or in-person!
Alright, now onto the events!
Beaver Public Library Open House
Tuesday April 5th
In celebration of National Library Week which is April 3-9, and Utah’s Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month (May), Beaver Public Library will have an open house on Tuesday April 5th 2022, from 11am to 6pm. The Library is located at 55 West Center Street. Everyone of all ages are invited to explore the magic of the library, explore our offerings and share a treat.
Spring Cleanup at Nine Mile Canyon
Saturday April 23rd @ 9am
Please join us for our annual Nine Mile Canyon Spring Clean Up event on April 23, 2022. We will meet at Cottonwood Glen at 9:00am to hand out trash bags and assign clean up areas.
For more information and to let the organizers know you’re coming, click here!
Preservation Engaged: Celebrating Utah’s Communities
April 29 & 30 at the Art Castle
We’re back! Preservation Utah and the State Historic Preservation Office bring to you “Preservation Engaged: Celebrating Utah’s Communities”, the first statewide annual historic preservation conference since 2019. This event will include a mix of session types, ranging from hands-on demonstrations and practical advice to panel discussions and inspiring preservation case studies. The second day will be a public-focused day, to find ways of engaging new audiences into the world of historic preservation. We hope you join us for these two days of training, education, and networking with professionals and students who love historic preservation as much as we do!
Space is limited, so register early to guarantee your spot! Conference registration provides access to the full day of sessions on 4/29, lunch, conference tours, pre-conference workshop, and the free Preservation Community Day.
This conference serves as Utah’s primary preservation conference and we want to ensure that financial barriers are not a reason someone does not attend. We have a sliding scale based on financial ability.
Modern Ceramics in Downtown Helper
Monday May 2nd from 5p – 7p
Join your friends from the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum for Pottery On the Plateau Week! They will host an open house at Royster Ceramics, a working ceramic studio in the heart of Historic Downtown Helper. Join museum staff for walking tours of the downtown every half hour from 5p -7pm.
Clay Sourcing Field Trip
Tuesday, May 3 from noon to 5pm
Join the Curator of Archaeology from the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum as he visits some clay sources! You will learn about how the Fremont made their pottery (and other tools) from the desert around us. Meet at the Museum at noon to start your journey.
Lost Oasis–The Ice Age Archaeology of Utah’s West Desert
Wednesday May 4th
12,000 years ago, the most desolate place in the United States–the Great Salt Lake Desert–was quite the contrary. Vast wetlands drew Utah’s first inhabitants, gave refuge to its last Ice Age megafauna, and anchored a key waterfowl flyway. From the largest spear points on the continent to the earliest evidence for tobacco use, archaeologists can now highlight the unique contribution of this place to the story of human settlement of the Americas.
Space is limited, reserve your spot in our webinar today!
Hands on Pottery Puzzle
Wednesday May 4 fromNoon to 5pm
Watch the Conservator of Archaeology from USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum put a broken pot back together, and help her match the puzzle pieces! Come by the Museum any time in the afternoon to lend a hand.
Utah Governor’s Mansion Tour
Wednesday May 4 at 2pm and 3pm
A beautiful Chateauesque exterior, a stunning interior, and the dramatic story of the Kearns family make the historic Kearns Mansion one of Utah ‘s architectural treasures.
Thomas Kearns made a fortune on the silver flowing out of Park City mines. He spared no expense building a home that became the dazzling center of Utah’s elite social life. A world-class restoration completed in 1996 returned the mansion to its original 1902 appearance. Glimpse the gold-leafed dome and see Teddy Roosevelt’s hat rack on a 45 minute guided tour of the Kearns Mansion ‘s first floor.
The tours are open to the public and online registration is required 24 hours in advance (register below). This tour is NOT suitable for children under 7 years of age. Our Kearns Mansion tours are free but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Reserve your spot soon!
USU Eastern Studio Tour and Demonstration
Wednesday, May 4th from 5pm – 7pm
Professor Christopher Kanyusik will demonstrate coiled pottery and other clay sculpting techniques. Participants will be able to build their own pinch pot! Find us on the USU Eastern Campus’s Central Instruction Building.
Ceramic Identification
Thursday May 5, 7pm – 8pm
Lane Richens (BYU Office of Public Archaeology) and Charmaine Thompson (US Forest Service, Manti-La Sal) will give a talk on how to identify and distinguish local types of prehistoric pottery. This lecture is free to the public, and will take place USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum.
School Drawing Contest Awards Ceremony and Reception
Friday, May 6, 5p – 7pm
“Decorate your own pot” submissions from local schools will be judged and First, Second, and Third place awarded for each grade. Awards and reception with light refreshments will take place at USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum. FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION FOR THIS EVENT!
Fort Douglas Archaeology Walking Tour
Saturday May 7th at 10am
Join archaeologist Dr. Chris Merritt from the Utah Division of State History for a walking tour of the historic and archaeological legacy of Utah’s longest-serving military post. Learn about what archaeologists have discovered over the past thirty years of investigating the Fort, its architectural legacy, and how the post changed over time. Tour will include some large-format maps and hands-on artifact discussions as well. At the end of the tour participants are welcome to explore the Fort Douglas Military Museum to get an even more in-depth exploration of this site’s rich history. Participants must be able to walk on both sidewalks and uneven terrain for three miles, and must be over 18 years of age unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
Early May can provide a wide range of weather, so be prepared for wind, rain, heat, and even snow. Good hiking shoes, a hat, and lots of water are a must. You can bring a lunch if you want and stay out on the grounds to enjoy the beautiful Stillwell Field.
We are limited to 20 guests for this tour, we recommend registering ASAP as this tour fills up quickly! If space is not available, please try to the May 14th tour.
Archaeology Day at the Edge of the Cedars State Park
Saturday May 7th
Join us for a day of fun-filled day of educational activities and demonstrations. Learn skills practiced by the region’s earliest inhabitants such as pottery making, stone tool production, wood carving, and weaving. Other highlights include the opening of a special exhibit featuring student artwork from the San Juan School District. Bring the family and plan to spend the day. Food and artwork will be available for purchase.
For more information please call the Museum: 435-678-2238
Historic John Jarvie Ranch Tour
Saturday May 7th @ 10am & 2pm
Come and meet with an archaeologist from the BLM to tour the Historic John Jarvie Ranch in Brown’s Park. Learn about the history of Brown’s Park while discussing ranchers, outlaws, homesteaders, and prehistoric people who called northern Utah home. Life on the frontier at the last turn of the century was a wild place. So, explore with us the history of life along the Green River, with stories of outlaws, homesteaders, and Native Americans who shaped the Western United States that we see today.
This event is free, and no registration is required. Just come out to the Ranch and get ready for a good time!
Family Day at USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum
Saturday, May 7th
Come to USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum for FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION and activities in the Don L. Burge Classroom. You won’t want to miss this!
Guided Hike with an Archaeologist at Fremont Indian State Park and Museum
Saturday May 7th @ 10am & 2pm
Join the Fremont Indian State Park and Museum archaeologist, Elizabeth Nagengast-Stevens, as she sets out on one of the lesser known park trails to learn about the archaeology of Clear Creek Canyon. Petroglyphs and pictographs are some of the major highlights!
Please dress appropriately for hiking, bring plenty of water! These tours are free with admission to the park, no prior registration is required.
Ceramic Cataloging
Monday, May 9th from noon to 5pm
Help the museum identify and catalog ceramic sherds! No prior experience is necessary. Join us at USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum anytime throughout the afternoon to lend a hand.
Culture in Clay: The Plateau’s Cultural Diversity through Ceramics
Monday May 9th from 7pm – 8pm
Join our virtual lecture, for free! Dr. Chris Merritt from the Utah State Historic Preservation office explores the historic ceramic record of Utah.
Thank You Mr. Carnegie! Utah’s Carnegie Library Legacy
Wednesday May 11 at noon MST
This session explores the history, impact, and durability of industrialist/philanthropist Andrew Carnegie’s library construction program in Utah during the early 1900s. It also includes excerpts of a recorded interview with a long-time Utah librarian, providing a local perspective on what a Carnegie library has meant to one small Utah community.
This will be a live event and a great opportunity to share your stories and questions about Utah’s Carnegie Library legacy! Please register online before the event, space is limited.
McCune Mansion Tours
Wednesday May 11 at 10a and 11a
Alfred and Elizabeth McCune stopped keeping track of expenses after the costs for their “simple” bungalow on Capitol Hill 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 alone took an artist from New York two years to finish. Completed in 1901 and restored in 2001, the McCune Mansion remains a Utah showplace. Spend an hour touring the mansion from the first floor’s octagonal reception room to the third floor’s glittering ballroom. The Venetian marble bathroom alone is worth the tour!
Tours are available to the general public. Registration is required. Tours start at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Each tour is one hour long, and limited to 20 patrons.
Memory Grove Park Walking Tour and Meditation Chapel Tour
Friday May 13 at 11a and 1pm
At the base of City Creek Canyon, lies Memory Grove Park, and in it, Meditation Chapel. Memory Grove Park was purchased by Salt Lake City in 1902. became Memory Grove, dedicated to soldiers of World War I. Come learn more about the park’s history and its many monuments and markers, including Meditation Chapel.
Please register for this event online to reserve your place!
That Doesn’t Belong in a Museum!
Friday May 13 at 6pm
Swanny Park, Moab
Hey Indy, does that belong in a museum?
Science Moab is hosting archaeologist Elizabeth Hora for a one of a kind movie event! Southeastern Utah (including Moab) is well-known for its cultural resources, with archaeological sites from multiple groups of people visible throughout the region. Indiana Jones has given many people one idea of what archaeologists do to preserve these places, but how accurate is that actually? We speak with archaeologist Elizabeth Hora to learn about the actual role of archaeology in preserving cultural sites and what visitors can do to help preserve these important places.
Bring your lawn chair, snacks and drinks and join us for this free screening of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade at Swanny Park!
Fort Douglas Archaeology Walking Tour
May 14th at 10am
Join archaeologist Dr. Chris Merritt from the Utah Division of State History for a walking tour of the historic and archaeological legacy of Utah’s longest-serving military post. Learn about what archaeologists have discovered over the past thirty years of investigating the Fort, its architectural legacy, and how the post changed over time. Tour will include some large-format maps and hands-on artifact discussions as well. At the end of the tour participants are welcome to explore the Fort Douglas Military Museum to get an even more in-depth exploration of this site’s rich history. Participants must be able to walk on both sidewalks and uneven terrain for three miles, and must be over 18 years of age unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
Early May can provide a wide range of weather, so be prepared for wind, rain, heat, and even snow. Good hiking shoes, a hat, and lots of water are a must. You can bring a lunch if you want and stay out on the grounds to enjoy the beautiful Stillwell Field.
We are limited to 20 guests for this tour, we recommend registering ASAP as this tour fills up quickly! If space is not available, please try to the May 7th tour.
Cub Creek Rock Imagery Tour
Saturday May 14th at 10am and 2pm
Want to experience rock imagery and learn more about the archaeology of the Uintah Basin? Join the BLM and NPS Dinosaur National Monument on Saturday, May 14th in the Cub Creek area of Dinosaur National Monument from 10 am to 2 pm. Visit with BLM and NPS archaeologists to learn more about rock imagery, Utah history, and how to visit with respect.
Meet us at the Dinosaur National Monument Entrance Station, Jensen, UT to start the tour!
For more information please contact Patricia Stavish pstavish@blm.gov or 435-781-4428. To
Behind the Scenes: Archaeology Artifacts at Fremont Indian State Park
Saturday May 14th @ 10am
Come and see some amazing archaeological artifacts at Fremont Indian State Park! These are items that are not on display currently and can give visitors an idea of what resides in our vault here at the museum. The curator/archaeologist will give some great information about the items she shares with you!
Sego Rock Imagery Panel Tour
Saturday May 14th @ 10am
BLM Archaeologists Lori Hunsaker and Ami Schlosser will be at the Sego Canyon Rock Imagery site to lead brief tours and answer questions.
These tours are free, so stop by and tour the canyon with real archaeologists!
Danger Cave State Monument Tour
Saturday May 14th @ 10am
Sunday May 15th @ 10am
To reserve a spot, contact Ron at rrood@metcalfarchaeology.com with DANGER CAVE in the subject line. Tours of both Danger Cave and Juke Box Cave are included and last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Fees are $18.00 for adults and $12 for kids 8 – 16.
Metcalf’s sister company has been developing some virtual tours and educational materials. We just launched a virtual tour of Danger Cave State Monument. (best viewed on a smartphone or tablet).
FactorEarth™ Explore: explore.factorearth.com
Perimortem Processing, Dismemberment, and Trophy Taking of Human Remains in Prehistoric Utah
Wednesday May 18th at noon
The identification of certain perimortem (near the time of death) alterations on human bones have long been identified as being hallmarks processing, dismemberment and trophy taking of human remains. The presence of these characteristics in some archaeological remains from Utah will be explored.
Join us at noon for our Brown Bag Virtual Lecture! These events are always free, and always popular! Please register in advance for this presentation, space is limited.
Family Day at the Historic Muir-Poulsen Home and Orchard
Saturday May 21st
10am to noon
As a part of the Dimple Dell Preservation Community’s Family Day, come join a walk with a real archaeologist who works at this site!
Archaeologist Elizabeth Hora will share with you the history of the pioneer home, and how early settlers worked to grow their own food. Learn about the importance of their fruit orchards, gardens and farm animals. Elizabeth’s research is in dendroarchaeology – how we can read tree rings to learn about the past, and she will share with you samples of her research at the Muir-Poulsen Grove.
Family Day also includes native story tellers and pioneer games, such as hoop rolling and making flour sack dolls. Come bring the whole family for a fun morrning out at the old homestead!
This event is free, but you can let us know you’re coming at this page.
Saltair Archaeology Walking Tour
Saturday May 21st @ 1pm
Join archaeologist Dr. Chris Merritt from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for a walking tour of the archaeological remains of the old Saltair Resort. Learn about the history of the site, management of the Great Salt Lake and cultural resources, and the archaeological legacy that still remains out there and threats posed by looting. Built in 1893 as the “Coney Island of the West”, the Saltair Resort was hugely popular through the 1930s, though it faced many threats including receding water levels and fire. Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain for three miles, and must be over 18 years of age unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
Early May can provide a wide range of weather, so be prepared for wind, rain, heat, and of course bugs. Good hiking shoes, a hat, and lots of water are a must. And not a bad idea to bring some bug spray! You can bring a lunch if you want and stay out on the Lake to enjoy the serene beauty of our Inland Sea.
In previous years, this event has filled up quickly and space is limited to 20 participants… we recommend you reserve a spot now!
51st Annual Historic Homes Tour
Saturday May 21st between 10am and 3pm
This year our tour will be held in the Central City neighborhood. Central City is one of Salt Lake’s first neighborhoods. Its diverse architecture represents the changing styles of Salt Lake’s early years of growth when the community was transforming from an agrarian village to an industrial and commercial center in the Intermountain West.
The tour will be north of Liberty Park, bound roughly between 900 South and 600 South, and between 500 East and 700 East. Register early to score early-bird pricing!
Dig into the Past at Fremont Indian State Park
Saturday May 21st @ 10am
Join us at Fremont Indian State Park and Museum to take part in a mock archaeology dig! Come and learn the process from the archaeologist and how we dig for clues to learn about our past. Learn about some tools of the trade and artifact identifications.
This is an outdoor event, so please dress accordingly and bring plenty of water!
Wine, Wheat, and Whatnots: the material culture of cornerstones
Wednesday May 25th at noon
Join the Utah SHPO and LDS Church History online for our last Virtual Brown Bag of May! This event is free and can be accessed anywhere you can get a streaming internet connection!
Placing a time capsule in a building is often a moment of celebration in a construction project. From tools and books to food and coins, the objects left behind during construction give us a glimpse into the past and connects their stories to ours.
Space is limited for this online event! Reserve your spot now!
Mammoth Hunt
Saturday May 28th @ 10am
Public Archaeologist Elizabeth Hora will lead you on a mammoth hunt at Wasatch State Park!
Join us on May 28th on an Ice Age hunt! Outside the Visitor’s Center at Wasatch Mountain State Park you can learn how to throw prehistoric spears to take down prey like woolly mammoths. Join Public Archaeologist Elizabeth Hora for this hands on demonstration.
Stop by any time between 10a and 12p to throw some atlatls and enjoy everything that Wasatch State Park has to offer.
~No late Pleistocene megafauna will be hurt during this event.~
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Terrace Archaeology Open House
Saturday May 28th from 10am to noon
Have you heard about the newest archaeological discovery made in Utah? Last summer, archaeologists uncovered the first ever discovered home of a Chinese railroad worker from the grade of the Transcontinental Railroad. This amazing discovery made news around the world, and for one day only you can see the artifacts that were excavated!
Join archaeologist Dr. Chris Merritt for an Open House you will never forget! See these artifacts first hand and learn from real archaeologists what they mean for how people lived – transplanted from China out to the harsh Utah desert.
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