This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo officials are getting part of their wish to have a permanent memorial for the first Provo Tabernacle.
LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter said Wednesday that the stone in the 156-year-old building's foundation will be donated to the city for use in projects that honor Provo's pioneer roots.
Since February, Brigham Young University's Office of Public Archaeology has been digging in the remains of the first tabernacle, which was razed in 1919. The archaeological exam was aimed at learning how the first structure was built.
During the dig, archaeology students unearthed coins, buttons, bottles and toys in the building's basement, providing a glimpse at life in Provo during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Rich Talbot, director of the public archaeology office, said the artifacts will be processed and displayed at LDS Church-owned BYU.
The dig will conclude this week, and the site will be filled in as part of plans for groundbreaking ceremonies for the Provo City Center Temple, which the LDS Church will build within the walls of the nearby burned-out Provo Tabernacle.
Flames destroyed the second tabernacle, built in 1883, on Dec. 17, 2010, after a lighting technician left an operating floodlight sitting on the attic's wooden floor.
Last October, LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson announced plans to restore the fire-gutted building to its original appearance —including a center spire removed in 1917 — and convert it into a Mormon temple.
Provo Municipal Councilman Hal Miller recently suggested that the first tabernacle's remains be preserved in some way as a memorial to the first LDS meetinghouse in Utah County.
Mayor John Curtis said the city learned Monday about the church's offer of the foundation stones.
"We have not had a chance to talk about plans," Curtis said.
One idea was to use some stones for the planned water feature at the city's Pioneer Park, as part of a tribute to pioneers.
Curtis said Provo may also offer some stones to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, which maintains a museum and pioneer village at the city's North Park.
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