Online ticket sales will be available through May 17. On the day of the tour (Saturday, May 18th) tickets will only be available in person between 10am and 3pm at the tour headquarters: Memorial House, 375 N. Canyon Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84103.
One of Preservation Utah's largest annual fundraising events, the Historic Homes Tour offers a journey into the past, showcasing the rich history and architectural diversity of the neighborhood. For over 50 years, the Historic Homes Tour has allowed the public to see how historic buildings can be brought into the comfort of the 21st century while maintaining the historic character and charm only historic buildings can provide. With the permission and generosity of the building owners, the tour opens privately owned buildings to the public. Preservation Utah volunteers guide the public through the homes, offering historical and educational information about various aspects of the buildings.
Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture buff, or simply curious about the stories behind these iconic homes, the Historic Homes Tour promises an enriching experience that celebrates the heritage and cultural significance of the neighborhood.
In anticipation of the Homes Tour, join Salt Lake historian Bim Oliver to learn about the history of development in City Creek Canyon, as it evolved from a place of industry to an idyllic park and secluded neighborhood. Watch the presentation:
Salt Lake’s Neighborhood In A Park: City Creek Canyon
The site of this year’s Preservation Utah Historic Homes Tour, City Creek is arguably Salt Lake City’s most unique neighborhood. It’s the only one that is located in a canyon, on a creek, and in a park. Its homes, constructed before World War II, reflect its distinct residential development pattern. They crowd the sides of the canyon and the channel of the creek in a meandering layout defined by the topography. Because of its setting, City Creek feels secluded, removed from the city, even though it’s only a stone’s throw from downtown. In its early years, however, City Creek Canyon was a very different sort of place with mills, a gravel pit, even an asphalt plant. And various development proposals would have created a busy canyon “boulevard,” not the quiet lane that exists today, or even a civic center with a city hall, an auditorium, and an art museum.
The City Creek Canyon neighborhood holds a special place in Salt Lake City. Enveloping the natural contours of a gentle canyon, it acts as a serene oasis separating the vibrant neighborhoods of Capitol Hill and the Avenues.
At the heart of this district lies Memory Grove, a poignant memorial park created in the aftermath of World War I honoring the sacrifices of those who served.
Parking: If you require ADA parking, you may park along Canyon Road and inside the Memory Grove Park gate. If you are able to walk up and down stairs, please park at the top of the canyon on East Capitol Blvd or on A Street and take the stairs down to Memorial House. You may also park on the surrounding neighborhood streets. Please follow all street parking signs and laws.
Traditional tour tickets will provide access to 5-7 private homes
$30 in advance & $40 day-of (non members)
$25 member price (always) - Use discount code emailed to you or call 801.533.0858 or email . Please make sure you pay the correct price or consider it a donation to a good cause.
All sales are final, no refunds.
Tour Information:
All persons who walk must have a ticket - in the form of our tour brochure and wristband, with which you may enter each home on the tour. We do not mail the brochures or wristbands prior to the event.
Tour brochure(s) / wristband(s) will be available for pick up at our tour headquarters between 10 am and 3 pm on May 18 only.
The tour is an all-weather, rain-or-shine event and there are no refunds for unused tickets.
The tour will take about 1.5 to 3 hours to complete. There will be five to seven private homes open to tour. From the headquarters to all the homes and back is about 1.5 miles round trip. There will be docents in all the homes providing historic information about the homes.
We do our best to limit crowds inside the homes, therefore, there may be lines to enter homes. Please be patient as our guides (all volunteers) do their best to lead guests through the homes.
Attendees will be provided shoe covers to be worn inside all homes.
No food or drink, or large bags or backpacks are allowed in the homes.
None of the homes are wheelchair accessible, and all have stairs. Attendees should watch their step around and in all parts of homes.
Pets are not allowed inside homes.
All homes are private residences and are only available to tour during the time and day of our tour. We will not reveal the names of the homeowners, nor will we reveal the addresses of homes prior to the tour.
Photography is permitted outside the homes only and is prohibited inside.
Attendees are not required to visit all the homes, and may go to each home at their leisure during open hours.
If you have questions, please contact Liz Joerger at .
Preservation Utah's Historic Homes Tour is typically our largest annual event. Between 400 and 1,200 people attend, requiring about 125 volunteers to guide people through the 5-7 beautiful historic homes we feature on the tour. We welcome people of varying backgrounds, ages, and skills to volunteer for this tour. All volunteers receive one complimentary admission to the tour. While we are happy to have volunteers before the event, we are now specifically looking for two types of volunteers, with two types of commitment:
House Manager
About 14 individuals needed
Responsibilities
In advance of the tour meet with the homeowner and Preservation Utah staff for about 1 hour
Manage assigned house for 3.5 hours on the day of the tour
Shift from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm or 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
In advance of the tour familiarize yourself with/learn provided script as a safety measure
Communicate with the homeowners
Ensure that the home is respectable for the tour
Ensure the property is respected and returned to the owner in the condition it was entrusted to us
Ensure that tour rules are respected by tour patrons
On tour day set up or break down the house tour supplies
Check-in and oversee volunteer docents
Troubleshoot any issues, call Preservation Utah staff if needed
Tour Docent
About 100 individuals needed
Responsibilities
Two-hour shift (day-of role only)
In advance of the tour familiarize yourself with/learn the provided script
Bring the script with you to the tour as a reference
Narrate the script to tour guests of the home you are assigned (you will be assigned one room/station, not the entire house
Ensure the property is respected and returned to the owner in the condition it was entrusted to us
Ensure tour rules are followed (if you have any issues, reach out to the House Manager)
House Historian
2-3 individuals needed
Time commitment is roughly 4 hours per home (may sign up for more than one home if desired)
House script writer
Work directly with the home owners to gather oral histories of the homes and to inventory the work done on the property
Work with the House Researcher and the Tour Architect to write a script for the home which the docents will use to educate the public on the history of the home
Will need to meet and tour the homes with other volunteer staff and the homeowners
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Photographer - exterior photos only on the day of the tour
Setting up signage and the tour headquarters in the morning;
Selling tickets at tour headquarters through the day;
Closing homes, cleaning up signage and the tour headquarters at the end of the day;
Various other activities as weather, traffic and other needs arise.
For over 50 years, the Historic Homes Tour has allowed the public to see how historic buildings can be brought into the comfort of the 21st century while maintaining the historic character and charm only historic buildings can provide.
2024 Historic Homes Tour Sponsorship Opportunities