Providence excited about book that takes town into the 21st century

By Maddie Wilson

April 27, 2007 | PROVIDENCE -- The Providence Historic Preservation Commission is gearing up to release a town history book in honor of the city's sesquicentennial celebration.

Karl Seethaler, chairman of the commission and also owner of the Providence Inn and Old Rock Church, said the City Council voted Tuesday to fund the book, which will include an oral history of long time residents. He said the book will be presented in 2009 as part of the celebration to commemorate 150 years of Providence history.

Seethaler said he asked USU Archivist Robert E. Parson to write the book, which he said will probably be titled Providence and Her People.

"He's a good writer," said Seethaler, who said the commission went through a long process to find an author. He said they didn't necessarily want someone from Providence to write the book.

"We kind of didn't want someone from Providence to write it because people who live here have pressure from their families," he said.

Parson said there have already been two books written about Providence's history, and the new book will cover events from 1974 to January 2009. He said it is too early to tell exactly what the book will be like.

Along with presenting the book, the historic preservation commission has other plans for Providence. It has a "program of identification, evaluation, and protection of the historic and cultural sites, properties, and resources within Providence," according to the city Web site. (http://www.providence-city.com/historicalpres.htm)

To carry out this program, Seethaler said the commission did a reconnaissance level survey, a basic survey for systematically documenting and evaluating historic buildings in Utah. He said the entire town was surveyed, and any building over 50 years old will hopefully, he said, be put on a historic district. According to the Utah State History Web site, if an area is put on the historic district, its "architectural integrity" must be retained to "represent an important aspect of the city's history."

Seethaler said the city council must approve the survey in order for the buildings to be put on a historic district.

Seethaler also said that he wants to dedicate a new time capsule for Providence. He said there used to be a time capsule inside of a monument at the Old Rock Church that former Latter-day Saint Church President George Albert Smith dedicated. But, he said, it was ruined after many years of being out in the weather.

Seethaler said he has been the chair of the commission since it was established three or four years ago. He said commission members are not voted to the commission, but he hopes in the future to develop a more formal process where members are either rotated or voted in. As for now, he said, the members are appointed by the city council.

"We're accomplishing a lot," Seethaler said about the commission. "Many recent events (in Providence) have been very significant; Providence has exploded over the past several years."

Throughout all the growth, Seethaler said, he hopes to preserve the "heritage" that Providence provides. And being on the commission is allowing him to do so. But, he said, one day his time with the commission will have to end. And that might happen in 2009.

"After the sesquicentennial celebration is done, I might request someone else to be the chair," he said.

MS
MS