Utah State History News Briefs

The 60th Annual Utah State History Conference Encounters: Moments of Change will be held September 20-23, 2012. A 2012 conference schedule will be posted shortly....

Call for Papers, 60th Annual Utah State History Conference

The 2012 Utah State History/Utah State Historical Society Annual Conference will be held September 20-23, 2012, in Salt Lake City. This year’s theme is “Encounters: Moments of Change,” and we encourage the submission of proposals that address the varied encounters with history in Utah including archaeology, historic preservation, archives, museums, biography, military, political, social, and cultural history.

Proposals for individual papers or sessions should be submitted by June 4, 2012. Proposals should include a one-page description of the topic and its significance, any audio visual needs, mailing address and telephone number, and a one or two paragraph biography of each participant. Program co-chairmen are Robert Voyles, Fort Douglas Military History Museum, and Kent Powell, Utah State Historical Society.

Mail or e-mail proposals to: Kent Powell, Utah State Historical Society, 300 Rio Grande, Salt Lake City, 84101-1182, kpowell@utah.gov. For further information please call (801) 533-3520.

Call for Award Nominations, 60th Annual Utah State History Conference

Utah State History's annual awards recognize individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to history, prehistory or historic preservation in the state of Utah. Whether these efforts on behalf of the past are quiet or prominent, they benefit the state's citizens in tangible and intangible ways. Utah State History therefore invites nominations of persons or organizations who have given extraordinary service or completed outstanding projects.

Nominations are due by April 30, 2012. Mail or email nomination forms to: Utah State History, Attn: Lisa Buckmiller, 300 S. Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, or lbuckmiller@utah.gov

Awards will be presented at the 60th Annual Utah State History Conference, to be held September 20 – 23, 2012.

You may make nominations in these categories:

Outstanding Contribution Award: For outstanding, long-term contribution to archaeology, preservation or history in Utah. The award may be given to groups or individuals.
Outstanding Achievement Award: For outstanding project or activity in the field of Utah archaeology, preservation or history, or in support of one of Utah’s heritage organizations. May include research, preservation, education, fundraising, community programs, volunteerism, journalism or other activities.

Click here for more information and a nomination form (rtf file) (pdf file)

For questions, please contact Lisa Buckmiller at 801-533-3517 or email lbuckmiller@utah.gov.

Call for Nominations: Helen Z. Papanikolas Award for Best Student Paper on Utah Women’s History

Utah State History sponsors the Papanikolas Award to encourage new scholarly research in the area of Utah women’s history at colleges and universities. The award is named for Helen Z. Papanikolas (1917-2004), a former member of the Utah State Board of History who was most noted for her research and writing on Utah and ethnic history, but also wrote fiction, as well as women’s history.

Submission Guidelines:

Papers must address some historical aspect of women’s lives in Utah.
The author must be enrolled at a college or university.
Papers need not be published.
Papers should include original research that includes primary sources. The paper must be footnoted.
Papers must be received by April 15, 2012.
Please call or E-mail us on April 14, 2012 if you have not heard directly from us that we received your paper.

The winner receives a monetary award as well as being honored at Utah State History’s annual meeting held September 20-22, 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Submit papers to: Linda Thatcher, 511 First Ave., No. 401, Salt Lake City, UT, 84103. (801) 428-0471 or email thatcher0911@msn.com

Phil Notarianni to receive Axios Award from Hellenic Cultural Association, May 6, 2012

Phil Notarianni, former director of Utah State History, noted for his work in Utah history, language and cultural studies, will be honored by the Hellenic Cultural Association on May 6, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. Memorial Building Dining Room - Barbequed Steak, Salad, Vegetables, Bread, Beverage, Coffee and Dessert. $15 per person, $10 for kids 12 and under. For reservations, please call Victoria Peters at (801) 262-3233.

Utah Heritage Foundation 2012 Historic Homes Tour: South Temple

41st Annual Historic Homes Tour May 5, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
In 2007, South Temple was recognized by the American Planning Association as one of the "10 Great Streets in America for its historical residential design and craftsmanship, diversity of land uses, and the integration of multiple forms of transportation throughout history — as well as commitment on the part of the community to preserve its legacy." For more information, please visit the Utah Heritage Foundation website.

Fort Douglas Day, June 16, 2012

Join Fort Douglas Military Museum Association at Fort Douglas Day, The Fort: Preserve the Legacy on June 16, 2012 from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. Events include Civil War enchampment, vintage cannon firing demonstrations, vintage military vehicle and equipment demonstrations, performances by the Wasatch Scottish Bagpipe band, World War I and II equipment display and a used book sale. A Civil War Ball will also be held Friday, June 15th from 7:00 - 9:30. See attached pdf for map and additional details.

The Old Spanish Trail Association's Annual Conference, June 14- 17, 2012

Come learn about and explore the most arduous and famous pack mule route in western history. The Old Spanish National Historic Trail crosses the beautiful but dangerous terrain of the American Southwest through six states including Utah.
OSTA's annual conference will be held in beautiful Richfield, Utah; a state traversed by more than 400 miles of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail. Recently rediscovered is the Fish Lake Cut-off trail where Lt. George Brewerton and his guide Kit Carson travelled on their way to Santa Fe, NM from Los Angeles, CA in 1848. A conference highlight will provide the latest research on this short-cut and pristine segments on the Old Spanish Trail.

A great opportunity to network with field professionals and historic trail enthusiasts
June 14th Opening reception at the historic Fish Lake Lodge
June 15th & 16th Illuminating presentations by historians and archaeologists
June 15th Catered Dutch Oven dinner & living history reenactments
June 15th Merrill Osmond’s Spanish Trail concert at the Sevier Valley Center
June 16th Dine while musicians play “The Spanish Trail Suite” at the Frontier Village
June 14th & 17th Field trips to the Fish Lake Cut-off and Old Spanish Trail segments

Cost: Full weekend $50, one day $25, student and OSTA member prices also available. Registration details available at www.oldspanishtrail.org.

For further information please contact Lydia Jakovac at (435) 896-1062, email: spanishtrailconference2012@gmail.com or Dave Ogden at (435) 979-6423, email: davidogden5232@msn.com

American Association for State and Local History Annual Conference, October 3-6, 2012, Salt Lake City, Utah

Guided by the theme Crossroads: Exploring the Vibrant Connections Between People and Place, AASLH will focus on the personal, communal, and organizational journeys that lead to vibrancy, authenticity, health, and happiness, and how these journeys allow us to achieve meaningful and impactful social change. For more information, visit http://www.aaslh.org/am2012.htm

Program Gives Training, Resources for Small Museum Exhibits

The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA) is encouraging museums throughout the south-central Utah area to take part in the Utah Humanities Council’s (UHC) Museum Interpretation Initiative.

The initiative program is a series of three full-day workshops giving hands-on training about museum interpretation and exhibit development. The workshops prepare participants to develop exhibits at their own museums. Participants will receive additional one-one-one assistance from workshop leaders, as well as free equipment and materials from the UHC.

Museums must apply to participate, and the application deadline is quickly approaching — January 13, 2012.

The project is an effort to help small museums display their collections in a way that better tells the stories of their communities. Indeed, the full name of the effort is “Museum Interpretation Initiative: Telling Our Stories.” It is in telling those stories that the goals of the UHC, MPNHA, and local museums converge.

More information and the application form are available online at http://www.utahhumanities.org/MIIHome.htm or contact Megan Van Frank at UHC at (801) 359-9670, ext. 110, email vanfrank@utahhumanities.org.

For information about applying for grants from the MPNHA, contact Monte Bona at (801) 699-5065.

Utah Humanities Council Announces 2012 Grant Deadlines

Each year, the Utah Humanities Council offers Competitive Grants and Fellowships for humanities-related initiatives in Utah. This gives local organizations (and individuals, in the case of fellowships) the opportunity to receive funding for projects and research conducted through a humanities lens.

Next Grant Deadlines for Competitive Grants and Research Fellowships and Student Fellowships are February 1, 2012.

Competitive Grants: awarded at amounts up to $5,000, support projects designed to increase public understanding and appreciation of the humanities. Projects must be centered in the humanities and involve humanities scholars.

Research Fellowships for Scholars: two annual fellowships, awarded at amounts up to $3,500, are offered to humanities scholars; supports one research project on a topic of national or international significance and one supports a research project in Utah studies.

Research Fellowships for Students: Five fellowships, awarded at amounts up to $3,500, are available and will be divided between undergraduate and graduate students. Fellowships support student research in the humanities.

For more information, call Maria Torres at 810-359-9670 x 105, email her at torres@utahhumanities.org, or visit http://www.utahhumanities.org/Grants.htm

Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area and Partners Seek Historical Stories and Documents

The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA), in conjunction with two of its anchor partners, is asking people to share their stories and documents of pioneer heritage from the central and southern Utah area.

Since the MPNHA’s inception five years ago, it has worked with communities and other partners to provide venues where the area’s rich heritage can be kept and shared. Two such venues are nearing readiness: The Mormon Pioneer Heritage Institute, and the Central Utah Pioneer Heritage Center and Gardens.

As part of their final preparations, they are seeking stories and historical documents to be shared and preserved.

For more information, see press release (pdf file)

Unique Three-Week Navajo Summer Experience Offered Through USU Eastern San Juan

You can read about the rituals and traditions of a Navajo sweat lodge, but there is nothing quite like sitting inside one. That personal knowledge is what you gain through the Navajo Summer Experience program under the instruction of Utah State University history professor and award-winning author Robert S. McPherson.

It’s a 12-credit-hour program offered only this May 7-25 at USU Eastern’s San Juan campus. It is a one-of-a-kind course for participants to gain hands-on experience by interacting with Navajo people. It combines classes and field work, including an introduction to the Navajo language by an instructor with texts specific to the Four-Corner locale.

For more information and registration, see press release (pdf file)

New Photograph Collections

Utah State History has published two new photograph collections!

The Larson Studio Negative Collection contains studio portraits of men, women, children, and families of Utah County. There are also some landscape images, as well as events such as weddings. All images were taken by Thomas Larson and his son O. Blaine Larson and range from 1947-1966.

The Taylor Woolley Photograph Collection includes photographs taken by Utah architect, Taylor Woolley. The majority of the images are at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin I home, c. 1911-1912.

BYU Family History Library Resource Highlights

124 Missionaries & Consultants ready & anxious to help you
22 Microfilm Readers, 46 Computers with free software installed
10 ScanPro film readers that can save data to your flash drive
Maps & Rare Special Collections, newspapers, periodicals & books
Sunday Classes (2nd & 4th Sun.) & custom training available upon request

See pdf flyer for more information

San Juan County Residents Talk about Public Lands

The Charles Redd Center at Brigham Young University announces the publication of San Juan County Public Lands. The 24-page book is based on oral history interviews with San Juan County residents. The interviews centered around the residents’ personal use of the public lands and what they hope for the future. The interviewees were asked to talk about their personal experience rather than the political debates that surround the subject.

The Redd Center conducted 36 interviews with ranchers, school teachers, homesteaders, photographers, miners, housewives, state and federal employees, former county officials, university professors, tourism leaders, and professionals. In addition, the Utah State Historical Society made oral histories available that were conducted for the Edge of the Cedars State Park.

The booklet was edited by Charlotte Palfreyman Smith, a BYU graduate student in rhetoric. Ms. Smith noted that while everyone interviewed has been on public lands at sometime, the comments grouped into five common themes: adventure, prehistory, history, scenery, and work.

The booklet is available on-line at the Redd Center webpage, reddcenter.byu.edu or directly from the Charles Redd Center, 366 SWKT, BYU, Provo, UT 84602;

Historic Preservation Grants Help Communities Preserve Their History

Utah State History has awarded $160,000 in matching grants to 19 Certified Local Governments (CLGs) throughout Utah for the 2011-2012 grant year. Read more in our press release (pdf file)

National Trust Grants for Preservation Projects

National Trust Preservation Funds are designed to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects focused on preservation planning or education efforts. Support is offered for obtaining professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archeology, engineering, preservation planning and fundraising. Grant funds may also be used to support preservation education activities.

The Utah Preservation Initiatives Fund, through a grant from the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation and gifts from private donor, provides small matching grants for planning, education and consulting services to assist historic preservation projects across the state. Grant amounts may range from $500 to $10,000 and require a one-to-one cash match.

The Hart Family Fund for Small Towns is intended to assist small town preservation and revitalization initiatives around the country. The fund is available for project in towns withpopulations of 5,000 or less. Eligible projects include rehabilitation feasibility studies, structural investigations, education programs and workshops. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000.

Nonprofit organizations with current 501(c)3 status, as well as local governments, may apply.
Eligible projects include rehabilitation feasibility studies, structural investigations, education
programs and workshops.

Application deadlines are February 1, June 1 and October 1 each year. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the National Trust to discuss projects in advance of applying. For more information and applications, contact the National Trust's Mountains/Plains Office in Denver at 303-623-1504.

Grants for Smaller Institutions Available

The National Endowment for the Humanities is offering Preservation Assistance Grants of up to $6,000 to help small and mid-sized institutions improve their ability to preserve and care for their humanities collections, including special collections of books and journals, archives and manuscripts, prints and photographs, moving images, sound recordings, architectural and cartographic records, decorative and fine arts, textiles, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, furniture, and historical objects.

The grants do not require a match. Institutions such as libraries, museums, historical societies, archival repositories, arts and cultural organizations, and town and county records offices are encouraged to apply. See http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/pag.html for more information.

Utah State History