Riverton commission finalizes archival scans and advances oral-history, historic-homes rollout

At a recent meeting, the Riverton Historic Preservation Commission reported that four boxes of historical commission records have been scanned and transferred to state archives and discussed next steps for an oral-history program and public roll-out of newly registered historic homes.

Commission member Kim said the commission sent four boxes to a scanning contractor identified in the meeting as “UCI” and that those records “have already been scanned, and they’ve already transferred them to the archives, to the state archives.” Kim also reported paying the scanning bill, which she said “was like $930.”

The discussion focused on two parallel preservation efforts: 1) stabilizing and archiving older paper records by scanning and transferring them to the state archives; and 2) launching a city-facing oral-history project and a public listing of registered historic homes to increase citizen awareness.

Commission members said they had reviewed files, retained materials judged historically relevant and discarded routine paper items, and are awaiting the return of a hard drive holding a subsequent batch of scans. Kim said she planned to place the digital files in a shared drive and asked other commission members to help decide which records should be posted publicly on the city website and which should be available only on request for researchers.

On the oral-history project, commissioners said two members, Brooke and Jeff, have stepped away from the commission and that recruiting new volunteers would be a priority. Members discussed the cancellation of a city booth at the upcoming Town Days event because the city determined a booth could appear partisan in a campaign year; the city will provide an information trailer staffed by city employees instead. Commissioners proposed outreach through the communications department’s citywide email and direct recruitment at local venues such as a church genealogy center.

The commission also discussed plans to present awards or plaques for a first group of registered historic homes. Members named several properties and family connections they hope to highlight, noting ties to former mayor Paul Mortensen and several multigenerational Riverton families. Addresses cited in the meeting that commissioners said they intend to include in records or presentations include 11697 South Redwood Road; 11743 South Redwood Road; and several parcels given with both a west/east and a south coordinate (as reported verbally). Commissioners emphasized they would photograph houses for the website but avoid publishing owner portraits if owners prefer not to appear publicly.

Practical details discussed: commissioners said a bulk order of commemorative coins or plaques has been placed and that they are waiting for delivery; they tentatively proposed July 15 for a presentation to city council of the first group of homes. They asked staff to assemble short, written descriptions for each house (address, historical summary and why it qualifies) to keep with commission records and to review any communications language before the city posts it.

Commission members described the oral-history project as flexible on format (audio-only or audio-plus-video) and said interviewees will be given an option to allow website posting or limit access to archival requests. Commissioners characterized the program as a long-term investment intended to benefit researchers and future residents rather than an immediate promotional tool.

The meeting ended with a motion to approve minutes from the previous meeting and a motion to adjourn; both motions were made, seconded and approved without detailed roll-call recorded in the transcript.