MT. PLEASANT, Sanpete County — Wasatch Academy, a private college preparatory boarding high school, has received a Utah Heritage Award for its work restoring Pierce Hall, one of the early buildings on the school’s campus.
Built in the 1890s, Pierce Hall was originally a private home. Later, Wasatch acquired it and for many years used it as a faculty residence. For a time, the building served as the school museum.
The school recently restored the structure for use as a guest house, but this year, because of an overflow of students, it is being used as a dormitory for girls.
The building has been renamed for the late Martin and Beverly Pierce. Martin Pierce graduated from Wasatch in 1943, and the Pierces and their children have been longtime supporters of the school and provided funding for the restoration.
According to Alison Flanders, public outreach director for Preservation Utah, recipients of the Utah Heritage Award are nominated by the public for their efforts in preserving historic structures or furthering the preservation movement in the state.
Nominations are judged by a jury of architects, preservationists and planning professionals from throughout the state.