a short history of our organization
Friends of Historic Spring City
The Friends of Historic Spring City (FOHSC) have sponsored Heritage Day celebrations since 1983 when the Daughters of Utah Pioneers turned the 1899 Spring City Public School (the Old School) over to the local Spring City government. The FOHSC have sponsored an annual recognition award to individuals for special service to the City's history since 1995 addtionally FOHSC support a small historic library that contains important information pertaining to Spring City and it's residents. FOHSC have sponsored a scholarship program with a local history emphasis since 2001 to help local students fund their educations. FOHSC also support a barn preservation program which helps anyone in need of saving an old barn and help individuals in obtaining historical plaques for historic buildings on the National Register. Since 1998 the Friends have been the main force behind the preservation of the Old School.
2020
With the global Covid 19 pandemic, FOHSC opted for a safe and virtual Heritage Day, featuring an online art sale, virtual home tours, and several live-streamed events. We finished out the year with the unveiling of a new website design, membership drive, and online Christmas Miniature art sale.
2019
FOHSC continued to fundraise for the discharging of the CIB loan obligation. The 2019 Heritage Day Festival was the best attended yet. We also inaugurated a Christmas Candlelight Tour and festive miniature art sale.
A grant was issued to Jim and Eileen Brown to assist in the restoration of their antique pole barn.
2018
FOHSC continued to improve the Spring City Community Center; we installed gutter and downspouts on the building’s exterior in spring of 2018; the 3rd Floor had a hardwood floor and restroom installed, due to a generous donation by Sam and Diane Stewart. Exterior stone and brick to be repointed within the next year. We also have plans to give small grants to homeowners of historic homes who want to improve/restore the exteriors of their homes. For builders of new homes in Spring City, if they apply for grants from the Friends and submit plans for pleasing, traditional homes that blend with the historic vernacular homes in town, we will also give small grants.
2017
After nearly 40 years of persistent effort the beautiful Old Spring City School is completed. It is now known as the Spring City Community Center (SCCC). It is open all day to the public and has become the crown jewel of Spring City's restoration efforts.
2016
Spring City was awarded a second Community Impact Board (CIB) grant/loan to COMPLETE the restoration- (Second Phase of construction) of the Old School to the new Community Center. The Eccles Foundation promised a second matching grant of $100,000 if FOHSC could raise an additional $130,000 by July 2017 to pay off the CIB loan.
2015
FOHSC wrote a second grant to the Community Impact Board (CIB) to COMPLETE the restoration (Second Phase of construction) of the Old School to the new Community Center.
2014
The new mayor and city council approve using the Community Impact Board (CIB) grant/loan with a written commitment from the Friends Of Historic Spring City-a 501c3 non-profit (FOHSC) to repay the loan portion. The Old Spring City School, which is owned by the city, should have significant preservation work finished by the end of the year.
Revamp of the FOHSC website now allows donations to be made online and pre-purchase of Heritage Day Home Tour Tickets online
2013
The Whitmore family pledges $100,000 on behalf of Cutler Schofield. Plans are drawn for the use of the Old School as a community center.
2012
The CIB awards to the City a $323,000 grant and a $323,000 low interest loan. The Friends pledge to repay the loan portion.
2012 Interior structural framing on the Old School is completed.
2011
Another Eccles grant of $100,000 which was matched by $160,000 raised by the Friends. Application by the Friends on behalf of Spring City to the Community Impact Board (CIB) for $646,000.
2010
Interior framing commenced in the northeast room partly paid for by CLG grants from 2009-2011.
2009
The Heritage Day Celebration raised $25,800. Home tour tickets $7,380; ArtSquared auction $10,440; Spring City Art Print Suites and art sales $7,250.
FOHSC members discussed ways the organization can broaden our community service, beyond saving the Old School, Firehouse, several barns in town, Historic House plaques, National Historic Register updating and monitoring and scholarships.
Architect Jack Brady begins to develop a layout for the use of the Old School and
structural design for the interior was begun. Work was done on the Historic Fire House
2 College scholarships were awarded this year.
2008
Heritage Day Celebration raised $15,398.
The City Council agreed on the following use plan for the Old School in August:
First Floor - 3 Rooms for City use and space for DUP use. Second Floor - Rent Rooms for community functions.Third Floor - Offices or studios to rent. Structural steel frames were installed in the existing chimneys
Mike Murphy was paid to repaint the Old Firehouse on Main Street for $4,000.
2007
The Spring City Home Tour booklet was updated, redesigned and reprinted.
The slide show of Historical Spring City photos was updated. The show is shown at Heritage Day Celebrations.
The roof was re-sheathed and re-shingled.
The City was asked to help determine a use for the old school to increase to opportunity to receive more grants. The FOHSC met with the City Council to explain our ideas for possible uses and consequent code requirements needed for potential uses.
2006
The site survey of Spring City for the National Historic Register was updated again this year by the Friends of Historic Spring City a 5013c non-profit (FOHSC.)
2005
Einer Bergstedt donated $1,000 to the FOHSC.
Services were donated to set up a website for the Friends of Historic Spring City.
The roof framing was upgraded with the help of a George and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation Grant.
2004
Mormon History Association had it’s Annual Meeting in Spring City this year.
FOHSC received a $50,000 grant from the Eccles Foundation for the Old School.
$1,000 was donated to the FOHSC in memory of Glade Anderson.
A third floor was added to the Old School with help from a Save America’s Treasures grant ($100,000 grant plus $100,000 match from the FOHSC)
2003
Spring City received a $100,000.00 Save America’s Treasures grant for the Old School.
Jewell Rasmussen donated $10,000 toward the old school project.
Einer Bergstedt donated $1,000 to the FOHSC.
2001
A CLG grant of $17,000 funded Main Street projects for various individuals and a new kitchen in city hall.
FOHSC donated about $1,000 worth of work to save Ken Exeter’s barn. This was Merton Christensen’s old barn.
2000
The FOHSC started an annual scholarship program to help local Spring City students.
In the summer of 2000 The FOHSC donated about $1,000 worth of work to save Carma Beck’s barn.
1999
The data for 1978 National Register Survey of historic sites in Spring City was updated.
The FOHSC printed a historic home tour booklet. A portion of the costs were matched by a certified Local Government Grant contribution of $1,264
1998
Friends of Historic Spring City officially became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The FOHSC donated $5,800 to the City. The money was used to pay for a new transformer for the city buildings and a new furnace for the old school.
1997
Painted the Old Firehouse on Main Street.
1966
The Heritage Day Home Tour raised $4,484, with an end of year balance of $13,872.
1995
The Heritage Day Home Tour raised $6,817. The account balance after expenses was $11,882.00.
1994
The 1994 Heritage Day Home Tour raised $7,258. The account balance after expenses was $5,939.
1993
November 1993 the Old School Trust was formed by Doug and Susan Howard. A lease agreement was made with the City and the Howards. Ron Christensen made an effort to help the Howards create a Cultural Arts Center out of the old building. The Project did not succeed.
1981
First Year of the Heritage Days Home Tour.