Weber County Heritage Foundation

As the writer of this newsletter, I usually steer clear of promoting my own projects. But today I want to make an exception for the Weber County Heritage Foundation. Not only am I personally involved with this non-profit, I genuinely believe in its mission. Ogden has a rich history – one that deserves to be remembered, shared, and preserved. Too many historic buildings here have been lost over the years, often with only a few old photos or online posts to remind us of what once stood. The stories and people behind those places shaped our community, and it would be a shame if we didn’t at least try to tell them. The Weber County Heritage Foundation (WCHF) is one group working hard to ensure Ogden’s past isn’t forgotten, and I’m proud to shine a light on what they do.

Founded in 1978 by local citizens concerned about the loss of Ogden’s historic buildings, the WCHF has been dedicated to preserving and celebrating our community’s heritage. In fact, the organization’s origin story is the stuff of local legend: back in the late 1970s when Ogden’s iconic Peery’s Egyptian Theater was threatened with demolition, one early member mortgaged her own home to help save the theater from the wrecking ball. Thanks to such passion and community support, the Egyptian Theater still stands today – and that spirit of preservation has guided the Foundation ever since. Over the years, this volunteer-run non-profit has aided restoration projects for other landmarks as well, from the art-deco Ogden High School to the Gold Star Drive in the city cemetery and the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum.

As a 501(c)(3) organization, the WCHF’s mission centers on education and preservation. Everything the Foundation does comes back to a simple goal: increase public awareness of our region’s historic and architectural legacy, educate the community about the people and events that shaped Weber County, and support the intelligent preservation of important buildings for future generations. In short, the group not only works to protect physical structures, but also to keep alive the stories and cultural heritage that make this area special. And notably, WCHF is currently run entirely by volunteers – there are no paid staff, only a volunteer Board of Trustees and community members who devote their time out of love for local history.

CHECK OUT PEERY’S EGYPTIAN THEATER →

The Eccles Community Art Center is one of Ogden’s most beloved landmarks, and it happens to be where the Weber County Heritage Foundation holds its board meetings. Built in 1893 for industrialist David Eccles and his wife Bertha, the grand Victorian mansion was home to the couple and their twelve children. It remains one of the largest and most accomplished examples of Queen Anne–style architecture in Utah, with its distinctive turrets, skylight made of stained glass, ornate woodwork, and sweeping verandas still intact more than 130 years later.

After the Eccles family moved on, the mansion served a very different role in the mid-20th century as a dormitory for Stevens-Henager College. By the late 1950s, the house was at risk of decline. In 1959, Bertha Eccles’ long-held wish was fulfilled when the property was purchased and converted into the Eccles Community Art Center. From then on, the mansion has been a hub for Ogden’s creative life — hosting art exhibitions, classes, performances, and cultural gatherings for the public.

For the Heritage Foundation, meeting inside the Eccles Art Center is more than just convenient — it’s symbolic. The building itself represents the very mission WCHF is committed to: preserving historic structures, adapting them to new community purposes, and ensuring that Ogden’s architectural treasures remain alive and useful instead of fading into memory. When the board gathers around the old oak-paneled rooms to plan tours, events, and preservation efforts, they do so inside one of the finest examples of preservation done right.

READ MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE ECCLES ART CENTER →

To fulfill its mission of education, the Weber County Heritage Foundation offers a variety of programs that make local history accessible – and fun – for the public. Here are some of the regular events and activities the Foundation organizes:

Each fall, around Halloween, WCHF hosts an immersive evening tour in one of Weber County’s historic cemeteries. By lantern light, volunteer actors portray “spirited” former residents at their graves, returned to life for one night only to tell their stories. As you wander among the tombstones, you’ll hear fascinating history and eerie tales about the lives and legends of those buried there, in a hauntingly beautiful setting. It’s an unforgettable way to connect with Ogden’s past, and best of all, admission is included with your WCHF membership. Family memberships cover the whole household, so everyone can come along for free.

One of the Foundation’s newer events, and my personal favorite, is the Historic Pub Crawl – a guided walking tour with a side of storytelling and a splash of Ogden’s colorful past. Twice a year (typically spring and fall), WCHF volunteers lead participants to some of downtown’s oldest and most iconic watering holes, each with its own secrets and ties to Ogden’s wild history. For example, a recent crawl highlighted storied bars like Brewskis, Kokomo Club, and the Red Light – establishments that have seen their share of local legends over the decades. At each stop, crawlers enjoy themed drinks and hear true tales from Ogden’s not-so-distant past in an atmosphere full of camaraderie and fun. The next Historic Pub Crawl is coming up on Friday, September 26, 2025 (check-in at 5:30 PM at Union Station) – tickets are available here if you’d like to join. A ticket gets you entry into all three pubs on the route, plus the guided history program and some exclusive drink specials. And in case you need more justification: all proceeds support the Heritage Foundation’s ongoing work to preserve and share our city’s history. It’s a fantastic way to have a good time and learn a few new stories about Ogden’s past – truly history served responsibly, with a twist of lime.

Once a year, the Foundation invites the community to “step inside” Ogden’s history with a guided tour of selected historic homes and buildings. Many of these properties are private or rarely open to the public, so the tour is a rare chance to see their interiors up close and appreciate the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Each year’s tour highlights a different neighborhood or theme. For instance, the 2025 tour focused on the elegant mansions of the Eccles Avenue Historic District, where some of Ogden’s most influential early-20th-century families (like the Eccles and Browning families) built their homes in grand Prairie, Revival, and Neoclassical styles. Knowledgeable guides share the architecture, anecdotes about the original owners, and the context of how these structures fit into Ogden’s story. Not only is it a treat for history buffs and architecture lovers alike, it’s also a way to support preservation – tour tickets help fund WCHF’s mission, and the event brings together neighbors and heritage enthusiasts to celebrate our community’s unique character.

(In addition to these major events, WCHF also produces walking tour audio guides, “History in a Minute” video vignettes, and other educational content – but I’ll save those details for another time.)

GET YOUR PUB CRAWL TICKETS BEFORE THEY’RE GONE →

All of the Foundation’s activities are planned and carried out by volunteers – people just like you and me who care about local history. If you’re passionate about Ogden’s heritage (or even just curious to learn more), WCHF would love your help. We’re always looking for volunteers to assist with events, serve as tour guides or ghost impersonators, dig into research, or simply help staff a table at community gatherings. And if you’d like to take your involvement a step further, we’re also seeking new board members to help guide the Foundation’s direction and keep our mission moving forward. Whether you can contribute time, ideas, or elbow grease, any level of involvement is appreciated. Feel free to reach out if you’re interested in volunteering or exploring a board position (and yes, board meetings are held at the Eccles Art Center – sometimes with cookies!).

Perhaps the easiest way to support the Weber County Heritage Foundation is to become a member. Memberships are truly the lifeblood of the organization – they provide the steady support that makes these programs possible. And the bar to join is not high at all: you can become a WCHF member for as little as $1 a month (the Foundation has a Patreon set up for convenient small donations). Of course, larger donations or annual memberships are welcome too, but even a dollar a month signifies community buy-in and helps keep the lights on (literally and figuratively). Importantly, 100% of membership dues and donations stay right here in Weber County, directly fueling local preservation projects and educational programming.

In return for joining, members get a few perks – beyond just a warm fuzzy feeling. You’ll receive invitations to special member events and lectures, plus free admission to the annual architecture tour and the October cemetery tour (one of the Foundation’s ways of saying thanks for your support). Membership dues are also tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. But most of all, by becoming a member you’re helping ensure that WCHF can continue its mission for years to come. It’s a small investment in preserving the character and stories of our community.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY BECOMING A MEMBER →

Until next time,

Raw, weird, and local.