A New Year for Preservation: Advocacy, Action, and Anniversary

Welcome to a new year of preservation.

As we step into 2026, I want to begin by simply saying welcome—and thank you for being here.

This winter has already reminded us how unexpected a season can feel. The weather has been unseasonably warm, and yet what has stood out to me most is how many people are out enjoying our shared public spaces. Seeing families, runners, neighbors, and visitors spending time in places like Memory Grove Park—walking, gathering, and lingering a little longer than usual—has been a wonderful reminder of why preservation matters. These places are not static. They are lived in, relied upon, and loved.

There is a great deal happening right now. A new legislative session, new advocacy tools taking shape, and a year filled with meaningful milestones. And while the pace can feel full, I am entering this year with a deep sense of hope—especially as Preservation Utah moves into its 60th anniversary.

Over the past few years, I have been continually humbled by the support of this community and by the people who have helped build this organization over decades. Recently, I spoke with Stephanie Churchill, Preservation Utah’s first employee, who joined the organization in 1971. Listening to her stories—about early advocacy efforts, about our office in the Kearns Mansion before it became the Governor’s Mansion, and about what it took to sustain this work in those early years—was both grounding and inspiring.

As we look ahead to the year, I’m excited about the opportunities we’ll have to gather in and experience historic places together. Our Spring Historic Homes Tour will take place along South Temple on May 16, and our Fall Historic Homes Tour will be hosted in Poplar Grove on October 17. And our volunteers and staff are already hard at work putting together an even more incredible lineup of additional tours, and I can’t wait to share more details in the months ahead.

As we begin this anniversary year, I am impressed by what has been accomplished, grateful for those who made it possible, and energized by what lies ahead. 2026 is not only a time to celebrate our past, but to recommit to our future—together. I hope you’ll join us throughout the year: in advocacy, in storytelling, in recognizing preservation leadership, and in shaping what comes next.

And with that, welcome to the January 2026 Stewardship Report.

—

Brandy Strand

Executive Director

Preservation Utah

January 2026 Stewardship Report

A new year brings momentum—and in 2026, that momentum feels especially meaningful.

January marks the start of the 2026 Utah Legislative Session, the official launch of Preservation Utah’s new Advocacy Hub, and the beginning of a milestone year for preservation locally and nationally. It is a year that invites reflection, action, and renewed commitment to the places that shape our communities.

This month, preservation moves from intention to impact.

The 2026 Utah Legislative Session Begins

On January 20, 2026, the Utah Legislature convenes, setting the stage for decisions that will influence communities, development, housing, infrastructure, and cultural resources across the state. Legislative sessions are where long-term outcomes take shape—often quietly, through bills, amendments, and budget decisions that affect historic places, directly and indirectly.

Preservation Utah enters this session focused on education, engagement, and collaboration. Our role is to help ensure that lawmakers, community leaders, and the public understand how preservation contributes to strong local economies, housing options, sustainability, and community identity. Preservation is not a single issue—it intersects with many of Utahns' priorities.

Advocacy Kickoff — January 20, 2026, @ 11 am on the South Steps of the Utah Capitol

We will be joining nonprofits from across the state for the Utah Nonprofits 2026 Legislative Kickoff on January 20, 2026, the first day of the session. This statewide gathering will take place on the south steps of the Utah State Capitol and serves as a collective call for lawmakers to support the communities' nonprofits serve.

We will be participating to ensure that history, preservation, and cultural organizations are visible and represented within the broader nonprofit community. We invite preservation-focused nonprofits, board members, volunteers, partners, and supporters to stand with us in this unified show of nonprofit strength.

This high-energy rally will feature inspiring speakers from across Utah’s nonprofit sector, opportunities to connect with fellow advocates, and a shared message to elected leaders: community, culture, and place matter. It is a moment to show that preservation is not a niche issue—it is deeply connected to housing, economic vitality, sustainability, and community identity.

If you care about Utah’s historic places and want to support preservation advocacy this legislative session, we encourage you to join us. Your presence will help demonstrate the breadth of support for preservation and reinforce its role in shaping strong communities across the state.

👉 RSVP and event details are available on our website.

We hope to see you on the Capitol steps as we launch a new year of advocacy together.

Announcing the Advocacy Resource Hub

We are excited to announce our new Advocacy Resource Hub—a centralized platform where we are building the tools, information, and guidance to support preservation advocacy across Utah.

The Advocacy Resource Hub is being developed to make it easier for individuals and communities to understand preservation issues, follow policy and legislative developments, and engage thoughtfully when historic places are affected. Rather than responding to issues one at a time, the Hub will provide a shared foundation for learning, action, and connection across the state.

Over the coming months, we will be adding resources to the Advocacy Hub in phases, including legislative and policy tracking tools, updated data and fact sheets on the value of historic preservation, and advocacy tools and educational materials to support local and statewide efforts.

Advocacy Alerts will be the primary channel for the official launch of new tools and resources. Everyone who signs up for Advocacy Alerts will be notified as materials go live throughout the year—ensuring advocates are informed, prepared, and able to engage when it matters most.

If you are interested in preservation advocacy, we encourage you to sign up for Advocacy Alerts to stay connected as the Advocacy Resource Hub takes shape.

A Year of Meaningful Milestones

The launch of this advocacy work comes during a year significant with historical significance.

In 2026, Preservation Utah celebrates 60 years of advocating for Utah’s historic places. Founded in 1966, the organization emerged at a time when rapid development and urban renewal threatened many of the buildings and neighborhoods that defined Utah’s communities. Six decades later, the mission remains rooted in stewardship, education, and advocacy—while adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

This year also marks 60 years since the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act, landmark legislation that established the framework for preservation nationwide, including State Historic Preservation Offices, the National Register of Historic Places, and federal review processes that continue to shape preservation today.

At the same time, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States—a reminder that preservation is not only about buildings but also about understanding the full arc of our shared history, including which stories are told, which places are protected, and how communities evolve.

Together, these anniversaries underscore a central truth: preservation is not static. It is an ongoing civic responsibility—one that connects past decisions to present needs and future possibilities.

Calling for Community Stewardship Award Nominations

As we begin this milestone year, we are also calling for nominations for the 2026 Community Stewardship Awards—one of the most meaningful ways we recognize preservation leadership across Utah.

Our Community Stewardship Awards honor the people, organizations, businesses, and project teams whose work demonstrates care, creativity, and commitment to Utah’s historic places. These awards highlight excellence in rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, heritage organizations, industry expertise, legacy businesses, and long-standing contributions to preservation.

We invite communities from across the state to submit nominations that reflect the breadth of preservation happening today—projects large and small, rural and urban, professional and grassroots. Each nomination helps tell the story of how preservation strengthens communities and sustains places that matter.

Nominations are now open and will be accepted through February 2, 2026.

Award recipients will be honored at the 2026 Community Stewardship Awards Ceremony on April 28, 2026, at Memorial House.

👉 Learn more about the awards and submit a nomination on our website.

Looking Forward, Together

Preservation is ultimately about people—about how communities care for place, memory, and identity over time. As we launch a new year of advocacy and reflection, we are grateful for the partners, supporters, and advocates who make this work possible and who continue to shape Utah’s preservation story.