Provo to be honored for preservation efforts

PROVO — Provo has earned recognition as a Preserve America community from first lady Laura Bush.

U.S. Department of Agriculture representative Yenie Tran will present a certificate to Mayor Lewis Billings at a celebration Wednesday at 10 a.m. on the front lawn of the Provo City Library, 550 N. University Ave.

Bush is honorary chairwoman of Preserve America, a Bush administration initiative that encourages communities to preserve and enjoy their local heritage.

Provo's application highlighted historic-preservation achievements within the city, including the adaptive reuses of the historic Maeser School and the Provo City Library at Academy Square, as well as the preservation of the Historic Utah County Courthouse, the LDS Tabernacle and the Smoot Home.

The program will include remarks by local actor James Arrington as Brigham Young and more than 80 fourth-graders from Wasatch Elementary School singing the Utah state song.

"I commend Provo city and its leaders for their commitment to preserving an important part of our nation's historic past for visitors, neighbors, and, most importantly, for children," the first lady said in a press release.

The free celebration on Wednesday is open to the public. For information about Preserve America, visit www.PreserveAmerica.gov.