The National Society of The Sons of Utah Pioneers was organized for the purpose of keeping alive the history and memory of those who came to the Salt Lake Valley to help settle the West and find security from those who would destroy them and their beliefs. We are nonpolitical and nonsectarian. We welcome anyone who is desirous of forwarding this work. We learn through activities, including social gatherings, monthly meetings and dinners, treks, our annual national convention and our annual historical seminar. In various ways recognition is also given to "Today's Pioneers" and "Tomorrows Pioneers."
The Sons of Utah Pioneers is an educational historical, benevolent, and social society dedicated to:
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Develop and promote cordial association among its members.
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Foster the spiritual elements of Utah pioneers.
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Promote the appreciation and the emulation of the ideals and visions of the pioneers.
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Carry out worthy projects leading to the betterment of the American way of life.
We invite you to join SUP (CLICK HERE for details). Membership in SUP is open to all good men of every age and circumstance who have an interest in the early Utah Pioneers. It is NOT NECESSARY to have Pioneer ancestry. You will join with others who wish to honor these early builders of the West, to perpetuate their memory and to preserve in our own posterity their noble ideals.
Members meet together monthly with wives and guests at a dinner meeting, where fellowship with friends, sharing a good meal, and enjoying a program of music and interesting speakers help us remember our heritage.
Members enjoy "Treks" to see important pioneer sites and participate with their chapters in erecting monuments honoring special places or events in pioneer history.
The National Convention is held once a year, usually in August or September. It is sponsored by one of the chapters and held in that chapter's town.
Each chapter is governed by a president and other officers and board members. The National Society is presided over by a three-man executive council and a National Board of Area Vice Presidents. National Program Directors oversee major activity areas.
In 1900, Senator Reed Smoot made the first attempts to initiate the concept of The Sons of Utah Pioneers. Parley P. Jenson tried again in 1910. Neither attempt was successful, but these efforts kept the idea alive. In 1928, the forerunner to the George Albert Smith Chapter, called "The Sons," was organized in Provo, Utah. The Sons of Utah Pioneers was officially organized on March 29, 1933, as a state and local organization in a small office. The Constitution and Bylaws of the organization were published in 1934, and Lawrence T. Epperson of Salt Lake City, Utah, became the first president.
In 1935, under the direction of Nephi L. Morris, the idea of retracing the original pioneer trek from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah, during the 1947 Centennial observance was proposed. This early planning ultimately resulted in the spectacular cross-country re-enactment trek, spearheaded by then-national president Wendell Ashton. During the many years that have followed, each group of local and national officers has contributed their energies and talents to build this organization to its present status. The Sons of Utah Pioneers is now recognized as a venerable and respected contributor to the preservation of Pioneer history. Organized chapters are now found in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.
How Do I Find the National Headquarters? We are located on the southeast bench of Salt Lake Valley, just at the mouth of Parley's Canyon at 3301 East 2920 South, Salt Lake City. CLICK HERE to see a map, (courtesy of www.mapquest.com ) showing the way from either I-80 or I-215.