The Holladay Historical Commission's free speaker series returns Sept. 9 with a lecture tracing the city's water history from pioneer-era ditches to the modern system that serves residents today.

Jeff Niermeyer, retired director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities and a veteran of numerous canal boards, will present "Engineering the Desert: The Modern History of Water in Holladay" on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Kiln Auditorium, 1895 E. Rodeo Walk Drive, Suite B200. Admission is free.

The talk is open to anyone 14 and older. According to Arts & Culture Holladay, the lecture will trace water development in the Holladay area from early ditches and canals to the modern system, giving attendees a clear chronology of the major projects that continue to serve the city. Attendees should enter through the east doors and take the elevator to the second level.

The Sept. 9 event is the fourth installment in the commission's 2026 series, which has run since at least 2022 with past topics including Holladay's 1849 cemetery, postwar architecture and Utah's Buffalo Soldiers.

A second fall lecture follows Nov. 11: Martha Bradley Evans, emeritus professor in the University of Utah College of Architecture + Planning and recipient of the 2020 Rosenblatt Prize, will speak on "The Architecture of Polygamy." Bradley Evans authored "Kidnapped from that Land: The Government Raids on the Short Creek Polygamists" and the 2026 book "Constructing Space."

Commission meets Wednesday on succession, volunteers

The Historical Commission meets Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 4 p.m. at the Holladay Lions Activity Center, 1661 E. Murray-Holladay Road, according to the posted agenda.

Chair Kim Duffy will lead a 15-minute discussion on succession planning, covering the commission's tasks, responsibilities and how to divide duties. The agenda does not specify whether Duffy is stepping down or simply formalizing the chair's workload for continuity.

Arts & Culture Manager Megan Attermann will also update commissioners on volunteer positions opening up on the commission, including the application and decision timeline. Commissioner Kathy Lambert will report on Rooted Together, the city's historical initiative that includes the Holladay History Walk, City Hall exhibits and history markers throughout town. Whitney Law will present a social media plan.

Upcoming community calendar

  • Sept. 9 — Speaker Series: "Engineering the Desert" with Jeff Niermeyer, 7 p.m., Kiln Auditorium (free, ages 14+)
  • Sept. 19 — Blue Moon Festival, hosted by Arts & Culture Holladay
  • Oct. 2 — Plein Air Reception, 6–7:30 p.m., co-hosted by the Historical Commission and Arts & Culture Holladay
  • Oct. 3 — Cemetery Tour, 3–5 p.m.
  • Nov. 11 — Speaker Series: "The Architecture of Polygamy" with Martha Bradley Evans, 7 p.m., Kiln Auditorium