Stay Informed

Our state’s past is all around us—in the adobe homes of Spring City, the mining-era storefronts of Helper, the sacred tribal landscapes in southern Utah, and the mid-century neighborhoods of Salt Lake City. But the future of these places—and the stories they hold—is at risk.

 

The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) is the primary federal program that helps protect Utah’s historic and cultural resources. Created by Congress as part of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the HPF supports the work of Utah’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and dozens of Certified Local Governments (CLGs) across the state. Taxpayer dollars do not fund it, but offshore oil and gas lease revenues do—a practical reinvestment of nonrenewable resources into preserving America’s nonrenewable heritage.

 

However, unless Congress acts, this vital program may not continue. The HPF’s authorization expired in 2023, and if it is not reauthorized and fully funded, Utah stands to lose the tools we rely on to preserve the places that make our state unique. The HPF helps ensure that Utah’s historic places aren’t lost to neglect, unchecked development, or natural disaster. Here’s what we stand to lose:

 

• Tax Credit Program Support: Utah’s SHPO uses HPF funding to administer state and federal tax credit programs that encourage the rehabilitation of historic commercial buildings and homes. These credits help private property owners restore historic structures in ways that strengthen communities and generate economic activity.

• Certified Local Government (CLG) Grants: HPF funds help administer grants to local governments participating in the CLG program, many of which are small rural towns with limited resources. These grants fund local preservation plans, historic resource surveys, design guidelines, and public education efforts that empower communities to tell their stories and shape their futures.

• Historic Records and Archives: HPF funding supports the documentation, digitization, and management of the state’s historic site files—essential records that inform development decisions, environmental reviews, and archaeological research across Utah. Without this support, our shared archive of places and stories will become out of date and out of reach.

• Preservation of Historic Architecture: Utah’s unique built environment—from early pioneer settlements and frontier buildings to railroad-era towns and Indigenous sites—requires expert oversight and ongoing maintenance. The HPF helps ensure this irreplaceable architectural heritage is protected, adapted, and passed on to future generations.

• National Register of Historic Places: HPF funding enables Utah’s SHPO to maintain and expand the National Register of Historic Places—a vital tool for recognizing and protecting the places that define our shared history. From prehistoric rock art and pioneer settlements to industrial landmarks and 20th-century architecture, National Register listings help Utah communities celebrate their identity, access funding opportunities, and plan for growth in ways that honor the past. Without continued HPF support, documenting and safeguarding these important places would stall, leaving many stories untold and sites vulnerable to destruction.

 

Congress needs to hear from Utahns who care about our past and our future. We must urge them to:

• Reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund beyond FY2023, and

• Fully fund the HPF at its authorized level of $150 million per year.

 

Your voice matters. Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives today and tell them that Utah’s heritage deserves long-term investment and protection.

 

You can find your elected officials at https://www.congress.gov/members.

 

Preservation isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about smart planning, economic resilience, and honoring the people and stories that shaped our state. If we lose the Historic Preservation Fund, we risk losing the physical fabric of Utah’s identity. Let’s stand up for Utah’s past, so future generations can know where they come from.