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Scandinavians in Pleasant Grove put on a Christmas Day program in the Latter-day Saint meetinghouse that reflected their customs. They also held a Scandinavian Winter Festival. This included a sleigh-riding party with horse-drawn cutter sleighs in which they traveled together to August Warnick’s orchard in Manila.

Courtesy Pleasant Grove Historic Preservation Commission

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The "Old White Church" in Pleasant Grove, which is currently used as an events center, is now 125 years old.

Courtesy Pleasant Grove Historic Preservation Commission

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Laura Giles

Jeremy Hall

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Cold winter weather limits some of the things we can do, and some of our hobbies are put on hold for a few weeks. However, it’s the perfect time for other hobbies. Here is one that many people are interested in: history.

Our own communities have groups of volunteers who work to investigate, preserve and educate others about our local history. Many cities have historic preservation commissions, heritage foundations, community preservation committees or something similar. Checking out your local community’s Facebook page or city website can lead you to some very interesting information, help you to find some answers to questions, or even discover ways to get involved.

While the snow may be too deep to go on a walking tour, taking a drive to look at historic homes and other landmarks can make for a fun afternoon. A walk through a historic neighborhood can be invigorating, even in the crisp winter air.

If you’d rather stay inside in the warmth of your home, you can still investigate and enjoy local history. Websites, social media pages, pamphlets and community history books are available for residents to use. There are even opportunities in each community to get involved and become a local historian as part of the historic commissions.

“Early on Christmas Eve, Scandinavian families in Pleasant Grove gathered for the traditional codfish supper with rhyme mush for dessert, which was boiled rice with sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top. Each one was required to compose and recite a rhyme before partaking,” reads a recent post on the Pleasant Grove Historic Preservation Commission’s Facebook page.

Another post tells about a historic church building in the city. “Built by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), the church building at 886 West 2600 North has been an important part of Manila’s history since its construction in 1898. Sometimes referred to it as ‘the old white church,’ Manila’s historic church has gone through many additions, renovations and identities and is currently known as Stone Gate Weddings and Events.” That old white church recently celebrated 125 years.

“Life in Lindon didn’t always include sidewalks, street lights or paved roads,” states the Lindon Historic Preservation Commission’s website. Visitors to the site can view historic photos of early buildings, farms and groups of people, including the Lindon Amusement Hall on Old Folks Day.

A brochure identifying 18 historical sites in Lindon is available at the Community Development Department, according to the site. The brochure is meant to be a self-guided tour. “Some of the buildings in the guide are no longer standing; however, visiting these sites may allow us to visualize the places of residence, work and worship of our honored Lindon settlers,” it states.

Visitors to the Utah Historical Society’s website can view rare photographs, documents and digital exhibits. Digitized copies of past newspapers can also be found on the site. A quick search brings up photos of artworks, including paintings, textiles and sculptures. Books, pamphlets and photograph collections relating to Utah history can be found on the site, among a plethora of other interesting historical images and texts.

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