Jul 16, 1979
National Register of Historic Places - Ebenezer Beesley House
Statement of Significant: The Ebenezer Beesley house is of architectural importance based on its being one of relatively few I-form adobes left in the larger cities of the state, while history associated with Ebenezer Beesley illuminates the development of music and culture in a pioneer society. The disappearance of the I-form stuccoed adobe house from Utah's metropolitan areas, while remaining quite common in some of the rural areas, records the inevitability of the decline of vernacular structures in areas of vigorous economic growth and burgeoning population. The area of the Ebenezer Beesley house has always been a neighborhood that has gradually declined from the exclusivity it once possessed in the mid-nineteenth century and the survival of the Beesley house as a larger-than-average vernacular housing style among replacement and newer structures representing more recent but less affluent families, makes i t particularly interesting to the student of the material aspects of urban demographic change. Mormonism has always been noted for its enthusiastic promotion of music as part of the worship experience. Ebenezer Beesley is one of those who helped shape the institutionalization of this musical fervor through his compilation and publication of the Sunday School Union Song Book, his book of songs used by early youth organizations of the mormon Church, and his writing and compiling a book of hymns and anthems for use by the Tabemacle Choir. In addition to his editorial work, Beesley was actively involved in many other efforts to promote music in the church and in the community. He led the 19th Ward choir for many years, worked with choirs in the towns of Tooele and Lehi, and from 1880 to 1889 was director of the Mormon Tabemacle Choir. In addition, Beesley, an accomplished violinist, was a leading member of the Salt Lake Theatre Orchestra. The Salt Lake Theatre itself was a major cultural institution in pioneer Utah, offering a range of cultural fare from Shakespeare to musical camedy to eager audiences. In a church that fostered music of al l kinds, and in a community that respected and admired musicians, Beesley was a noted figure. In 1904 he founded the Beesley Music Company, still owned and operated by the Beesley family. Beesley's musical career spanned many decades and two continents. Bom in 1840 at Bicester, Oxford shire, England, Beesley had impressed many when he became an outstanding member of a local Wesleyan Methodist choir at age six. His parents declined an opportunity for their son to become a member of the choir that sang for the royal family in St. George's Chapel, Windsor. Shortly thereafter the family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and migrated to Utah. The Beesley house, an excellent example of vernacular stuccoed adobe, and Ebenezer Beesley, pioneer musician, are good exemplars of the cultural climate of pioneer Utah and thus deserving of National Register recognition.
National Register of Historic Places - Ebenezer Beesley House
Statement of Significant: The Ebenezer Beesley house is of architectural importance based on its being one of relatively few I-form adobes left in the larger cities of the state, while history associated with Ebenezer Beesley illuminates the development of music and culture in a pioneer society. The disappearance of the I-form stuccoed adobe house from Utah's metropolitan areas, while remaining quite common in some of the rural areas, records the inevitability of the decline of vernacular structures in areas of vigorous economic growth and burgeoning population. The area of the Ebenezer Beesley house has always been a neighborhood that has gradually declined from the exclusivity it once possessed in the mid-nineteenth century and the survival of the Beesley house as a larger-than-average vernacular housing style among replacement and newer structures representing more recent but less affluent families, makes i t particularly interesting to the student of the material aspects of urban demographic change. Mormonism has always been noted for its enthusiastic promotion of music as part of the worship experience. Ebenezer Beesley is one of those who helped shape the institutionalization of this musical fervor through his compilation and publication of the Sunday School Union Song Book, his book of songs used by early youth organizations of the mormon Church, and his writing and compiling a book of hymns and anthems for use by the Tabemacle Choir. In addition to his editorial work, Beesley was actively involved in many other efforts to promote music in the church and in the community. He led the 19th Ward choir for many years, worked with choirs in the towns of Tooele and Lehi, and from 1880 to 1889 was director of the Mormon Tabemacle Choir. In addition, Beesley, an accomplished violinist, was a leading member of the Salt Lake Theatre Orchestra. The Salt Lake Theatre itself was a major cultural institution in pioneer Utah, offering a range of cultural fare from Shakespeare to musical camedy to eager audiences. In a church that fostered music of al l kinds, and in a community that respected and admired musicians, Beesley was a noted figure. In 1904 he founded the Beesley Music Company, still owned and operated by the Beesley family. Beesley's musical career spanned many decades and two continents. Bom in 1840 at Bicester, Oxford shire, England, Beesley had impressed many when he became an outstanding member of a local Wesleyan Methodist choir at age six. His parents declined an opportunity for their son to become a member of the choir that sang for the royal family in St. George's Chapel, Windsor. Shortly thereafter the family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and migrated to Utah. The Beesley house, an excellent example of vernacular stuccoed adobe, and Ebenezer Beesley, pioneer musician, are good exemplars of the cultural climate of pioneer Utah and thus deserving of National Register recognition.
Jul 16, 1979
Posted Date
Jun 19, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jul 16, 1979
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
