Heritage Remembrances

November 2022

Taylorsville Bennion Heritage REMEMBRANCES

By Susan Yadeskie – Historic Preservation Committee Chair

The Taylorsville community was established in 1948 when Joseph Harker, John and Samuel Bennion and six other families moved south “Over Jordan” where their nal homes were erected along 4800 South, the historic district of Taylorsville. Archibald Frame, a master builder from Scotland, along with his ve sons are responsible for building many of the brick homes that are still standing today.

Two of these buildings are the Al Rasool Islamic Center, formerly the LDS Ward Meetinghouse, and the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center (the Taylorsville City museum/Gerrard house). Our preservation committee and representatives for the Al Rasool Islamic Center have been working to have these two locations recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

The register is the o cial list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private e orts to identify, evaluate and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. The Utah State Review Board evaluates applications and advises during the application process.

Preservation committee members and representatives of the Islamic Center worked with a knowledgeable application writer, Sherri Murray Ellis, on both the LDS Ward Meetinghouse and the John Thomas and Jenny Bennion Gerrard house designations. The Islamic Center/ meetinghouse quali ed for nomination for its religious, social and architectural value.

It was constructed over 17 years in three phases, with Victorian Gothic architecture and eclectic Prairie School and Arts and Crafts styles. It is also one of a very few historical Latter-day Saint meetinghouses from this period that remain standing on the westside of the Salt Lake Valley and is substantially unaltered on the exterior.

The Gerrard house was nominated for its architectural value. Data from the Utah State Historic Preservation O ce indicates that only nine central block-with projected bays dwellings exhibiting Victorian Eclectic style have been documented in the area. Only two are two-story forms. The Gerard house is the only one that retains historical integrity.

The meetinghouse was o cially placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 24. On Aug. 18, the Gerrard house was approved by the Utah State Review Board to be submitted for national review. We should know sometime this month if it will be on the national register.

For more information about the Historic Register including advantages of seeking such a designation, visit: www.nps.gov/subjects/

nationalregister

TAYLORSVILLE SENIOR CENTER

4743 S. Plymouth View Drive Enjoy Lunch at the Taylorsville Senior Center

Lunch is available at the Taylorsville Senior Center for seniors ages 60 and over from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for a suggested donation of $4.

You can visit the center’s website at www.slco.org/taylorsville-senior-center for menu and activities information. The Taylorsville Senior Center is located at 4743 S. Plymouth View Drive and can be contacted by phone at 801-385-3370.

Don’t Miss These Library Events

The Taylorsville Library has planned several programs during the month of November. You’ll want to mark your calendar for these events:

ART MUSEUM PASSPORT CHALLENGE

Nov. 1-30 Pick up an art museum passport at the Info Desk. Visit at least two museums listed on the passport and return it by Nov. 30 to be eligible to enter the contest drawing. Contest winner will receive an Easily Art Studio gift card.

WALKING BOOK CLUB

Thursdays in November, 10 to 11:15 a.m. The Walking Book Club is great for readers interested in a weekly exercise session and book discussion. Walk for 30 minutes, then participate in a 30-minute book discussion. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. Strollers are welcome.

“TRAVELS WITH GEORGE” READING SCHEDULE:

Nov. 3: chapters 1-7 Nov. 10: chapters 8-14 Nov. 17: chapters 15-end

TEEN AFTER HOURS: MINI GOLF

Friday, Nov. 4, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Teens! Design, build and play your own mini-golf course!

HELP ME GROW DEVELOPMENTAL PLAYTIME EVENT

Nov. 9, 10:30 a.m. Join in open play time. You'll also have the opportunity to answer a questionnaire that will help you see how your child is growing. Help Me Grow, a partner from United Way, will be on hand to answer developmental and parenting questions.

VIRTUAL ADULT LECTURE: How King Tutankhamun and Howard Carter Reshaped the Western World

Monday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m. You must register for this event to receive the link to the WebEx Virtual Lecture. Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries Dr. Cunningham-Bryant will explore the history, mystery and enduring power of King Tutankhamun and the 100th anniversary of Howard Carter's discovery.

LIBRARY CLOSURES

Veterans Day – Friday, Nov. 11, all day Thanksgiving – Wednesday, Nov. 23, the library will close at 6 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 24, all day; Friday, Nov. 25, all day