Sixty Years of Smoot Research - by Loretta Nixon

Abraham Owen Smoot - Family Celebration Agenda

SAT October 10, 2015 - Meet at 9:15 AM @ Marriott Center

We will be meeting on the North side of the Marriott Center in the parking lot.  Slot #5 for the Smoot family. We are excited to see you all there in the parade, please join us.  I plan to take my grandkids, it should be a lot of fun. Parade Details are provided in the following three documents:

Parade Map

Parade order - Smoot Family is #5

Parade Rules and Regulations

October 6-10, 2015

TUE OCT 6 - Founders Day Events 

BYU Opening Ceremonies   11:00 a.m. @ Marriott Center

The 2015 Homecoming celebration will begin with Opening Ceremonies Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 11:00 a.m. in the Marriott Center. In addition to outstanding entertainment, there will be a tribute to our dear Grandpa A.O. Smoot. We invite you to join us in special reserved seating. It is free to attend, just tell them you are with the Abraham Owen Smoot Family to get directed to the founders seating. 

Founders Luncheon   12:30 p.m. @ Wilkinson Center Main Ballroom

We also invite you to the Founders Luncheon following the Opening Ceremonies. The luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Main Ballroom of the Wilkinson Student Center. President and Sister Worthen, members of the President’s Council, winners of the Brimhall Essay Contest, and other guests will attend. The registration deadline is Sep. 29.

Childrens Activity / Free Lunch  12:30 p.m. @ Wilkinson Center Garden Court

The children's activity is another option for children 12 and under and will be held simultaneously in an adjoining room. It includes a free sack lunch and entertainment. Children will also learn a song to sing at the Main Reunion Event. An older family member may accompany children; however, he/she will also need to sign up for the activity to receive the sack lunch.

Children wishing to stay at the Founders Luncheon will need to purchase a meal ticket for $8.50.

Family Reunion Main Event   2:00 pm - 5:00 pm @ Wilkinson Center Main Ballroom

This event will take place immediately following the luncheon at 2 p.m. also in the Wilkinson Student Center Ballroom beginning immediately with the family photo. The Family Reunion Main Event will also include: 

          Performance by the children of the song learned during the Children's Activity

A. O. Smoot 200^th Birthday Celebration and viewing of the A. O. Smoot Film

Special musical numbers by renowned Smoot cousins

Opportunity to learn more about Smoot family members, special announcements, the Provo City Center Temple tour and other activities

(Click here to sign-up for the above A. O. Smoot Tuesday Events) 

WED OCT 7 - Presentations about Provo Tabernacle and B.Y. Academy Square - for which A. O. Smoot was responsible

(Free and no registration required)

1. 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM @ Provo Library Ballroom - Historic Provo Tabernacle Presentation (Becoming Provo City Center Temple) Brigham Young Academy Square Library Ballroom – 500 North University Avenue, Provo. Power Point Presentation, Provo City Center Temple, History and Construction, Elder and Sister Newitt

2. 11:00 am - 12:15 pm @ Provo Library Ballroom - Historic B.Y. Academy. B.Y. Academy Square Library Ballroom 11am-12:15. Power Point Presentation about the Historic B.Y. Academy Bldg., history, preservation and library, Director Gene Nelson.

3. 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm @ Provo Library Ballroom - Unveiling of Abraham Owen Smoot heroic size bronze statue. 

THU or FRI OCT 8-9  BYU Spectacular

Homecoming Spectacular 7:30 PM @ BYU Marriott Center (Register for Tickets)  Thursday or Friday Evenings - Use Promo Code "founder"

We will recognize Brother Smoot during Homecoming Spectacular, a musical variety program featuring David Archuleta and showcasing BYU’s premiere student entertainment groups. The event will take place Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Limited seating in the founder family section costs $30 per ticket. Tickets outside the family section begin at $20. Spectacular tickets may be purchased online. For the family section the tickets are $30, just enter the promotional code “founder.” Spectacular tickets are expected to sell out early.

SAT OCT 10 - Run / Parade / BYU Football

8:30am - Free Pancake Breakfast (Click here for details)

8:45am - Kid's Races

9:45am - Cougar Run 5K & Kids Races Registration (click here) 

10:00 am - Homecoming Parade (click here)  Provo, UT Parade Route

We love parades!!!!  Abraham walked across the plains, he walked on his mission, and on the streets of Provo. All A. O. Smoot descendants old and young come join us in the BYU Homecoming Parade Saturday morning.  We need to be in place by 9:30 am.  Meeting behind the Marriott Center.  Come one and all. 

Bring the children and let's walk together remembering Abraham on his 200th birthday. 

This should be a wonderful parade. Doug Smoot is the Grand Marshall. Other family members will be recognized during the parade. All of the descendants of A. O. Smoot (children and adults) are invited to walk together in the parade meeting between 9:00 - 9:30 AM Saturday morning in the parking lot by the Harman building and Marriott Center. 

Football Game (click here) BYU vs East Carolina Pirates  TBD @ LaVelle Edwards Stadium

Discount tickets at www.tinyurl.com/BYUGROUP use Promo Code "BYUSMOOT". This promo code will also give you discount tickets to other BYU football games.

WED-SAT OCT 7-10 - Self Guided Historic Tours of A. O. Smoot Sites - (more information coming)

BYU Campus Sites

   i. A.O. Smoot Document Display – Perry Special Collections, Lee Library (John Murphy)

   ii. A.O. Smoot Administration Building – A.O. Display-main floor lobby NE corner – updated 

   iii. Family History Center – Lee Library-A.O. Smoot Family History (Name)

   iv. Hinckley Alumni Building – 2 historic BYU films

Provo City Sites

   i. BY Academy Building (Provo Library, 500 N. University Ave)

   ii. Provo Tabernacle (City Center Temple, 100 S. University Ave)

   iii. Diana Eldredge Home (461 East Center Street)

   iv. Provo’s ZCMI Site (NE Corner University Ave & Center Street)

   v. Provo Woolen Mills Site, City Block, (100-200 West, 100-200 North)

   vi. Smoot Lumber Yard Site (NE corner University Ave and 600 South)

   vii. First National Bank Building (remodeled, NW corner University Ave and Center Street)

For more information about other Homecoming and Smoot Family Reunion activities, please visit the following websites:

homecoming.byu.edu

byutickets.com

Questions about BYU events, contact: Curtis Isaak (contact information)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. If I were to pick one day to attend, which of those days is most important?
A. Tuesday is the day where the main family events are happening. The most important is the 2:00 pm family reunion event.

Q. If I need to ask BYU a question about Tuesdays events, who do I contact?
A. Curtis Isaak, Alumni Services Coordination. 801-422-7621. curtis_isaak@byu.edu

Q. Where should I park?
A. Marriott Center Parking lot on Tuesday morning. East of Wilkinson visitor parking for the Tuesday events. On Wednesday park around or underground by the B.Y. Academy building.

Q. What historic documents will be available to purchase?
A. Three books: 1) Abraham Owen Smoot (1994) 2) Abraham Owen Smoot - His Life and Service in Provo (2015) 3) Miracle at Academy Square (2003). Academy painting print, note cards, post cards, and other items.

Q. If I have specific questions about the reunion, who could I speak with?
A. Sharman Smoot @ 801-399-1000

CLICK HERE to register for Tuesdays events

L. Douglas Smoot - President of the Abraham O. Smoot Family Organization

Invitation to all descendants to celebrate 200 years since his birth.

2015 A. O. Smoot Reunion Information

Dates and Events
When: Oct 6-10, 2015 - BYU Home Coming Week

Where: BYU, Provo, Utah and Surrounding area.

What: A. O. Smoot Reunion

Who: All Family Invited 

The following items coming:

1. The A. O. Smoot history presented by Anna Smoot Taylor at our 1978 reunion.  Coming.

Abraham Owen Smoot Documentary and Tribute

NEW book October 2015
Abraham Owen Smoot - His life and service in Provo

Celebrating the bicentennial birthday anniversary of A.O. Smoot

     Chapter 1 - Coming to Provo

    Chapter 2 - Smoot family establishes homes in Provo

    Chapter 3 - Abraham Owen Smoot, President of Utah Stake of Zion


    Chapter 4 - Mayor Abraham Owen Smoot, Development of Provo

BY Academy Square Building

Journey to Temple Hill: The BYU Story

Journey to Temple Hill - Published on Oct 6, 2012

"Journey to Temple Hill: The Brigham Young University Story" is a historical documentary about BYU's founding and early history.The program was produced by BYU University Communications in conjunction with the L. Tom Perry Special Collections at the Harold B. Lee Library.

The documentary draws upon interviews with past and current BYU presidents, historians, faculty and with descendants of BYU founders to describe the university's establishment and the challenges faced in its first three decades. (note: this includes L. Douglas Smoot and Loretta Nixon of the Abraham Owen Smoot Committee.)

Established in 1875, the university began as the Brigham Young Academy, housed in a single building on Provo Center Street. After a fire destroyed the building in 1884, the academy founders and faculty struggled to keep the institution alive, often going without salaries for months at a time.

In 2012, BYU marked the 100th anniversary of construction of the Karl G. Maeser Building, the first building on upper BYU campus on a piece of land known as "Temple Hill."

The documentary includes rare historical footage, photos and interviews with past BYU presidents Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Merrill J. Bateman, emeritus general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ, as well as current BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson, also an emeritus general authority, are also featured.

Actor and theatre professor Rodger Sorensen, associate dean of the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications, portrays Karl G. Maeser, BYU's spiritual and academic architect. The contributions of Abraham O. Smoot, first president of BYU's Board of Trustees, who sacrificed his own personal wealth to sustain the institution, are also highlighted.

The program includes original recordings of early academy students Eva Maeser Crandall, daughter of Karl G. Maeser, and Bryant Hinckley, one of Maeser's students and father of the late President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Karl Miller, who is seen in photos from the 1908 Maeser Building groundbreaking, also shares his unprecedented personal perspective in an interview that was recorded before his death in 2008. The 104 year-old Miller, who attended Brigham Young High and BYU and then worked on campus for his entire professional career, describes the groundbreaking on an area known as "Temple Hill," where the Maeser Building was constructed.

"It was a glorious day for all of us to see something in the future," recounts Miller. "We had no idea it would ever be a university like it is today."

Production support for"Journey to Temple Hill" was provided through the LDS Motion Picture Studio. It was produced and directed by Julie Walker with director of photography Brian Wilcox. The project was edited by BYU students Sarah Butler, Mark Gillins and Seth Estrada. Sam Cardon provided the original musical score.

"Journey to Temple Hill," is an expanded version of a documentary shown in the Gordon B. Hinckley Building Alumni and Visitors Center,

Brigham Young University is one of the world's largest private church-owned universities. For more information about BYU, see byu.edu.

A limited number will be available
for sale at the reunion.

Title: Abraham Owen Smoot - A testament of his life
Author - Loretta D. Nixon & L. Douglas Smoot
BUY

A limited number will be available
for sale at the reunion.

Title: The miracle at academy square
Author: L. Douglas Smoot

This new book will be for sale at the reunion.

New Book Coming at the reunion
ABRAHAM OWEN SMOOT - His life and service in Provo
L. Douglas Smoot, editor
Authors: D. Robert Carter (2 chapters), Loretta Nixon (2 chapters), Daily Herald (1 Chapter), L Douglas Smoot (3 chapters)
PRE-ORDERING COMING!!!

BY Academy and Provo Tabernacle

In 1882, for the first time, the church set up a normal fund for the Academy, with $400 for tuition for training teachers.  During the years following Brigham Young’s death in 1877, the Academy continued to grow and they recruited from the very large Utah Territory.  In 1883, the Academy had 402 registered students.  By 1884, the Academy had students from what would become seven surrounding states.

But, on January 27, 1884 the Lewis Building, on Third West and Center Street, caught fire and was destroyed.  Much of the furniture, organ, musical instruments, the library and physical apparatus was saved.  Financial loss was at least $15,000.  The Young Women’s Journal said:

Of all who gazed on that sad spectacle that night, there was no heavier, sadder heart than that of its foster-father, A.O. Smoot.  The Institution had grown into his very heart of hearts, and to see the results of years of toil and hard-earned blessings blazing on the altar of sacrifice, wilted his feelings to the uttermost…  With steady courage he calmed the fears and murmurs of excited pupils, raised the fallen hopes of [the] crushed principal, infused life and energy into the board and faculty, and with the loss of only one day, the school resumed its session, and BY Academy went bravely on with its work.

Quick assignments were made to hold classes in the Provo Tabernacle, the Smoot bank building and the Jones furniture store and school reopened, missing only one day.  But enrollment slackened and financial stress increased.  Within a year, classes were moved to the church-owned ZCMI warehouse on 500 South Academy (University) Avenue, where all of the upper floor and half of the lower floor were used.

At the same time, the Board of Trustees, with encouragement from President John Taylor, decided to build a new academy building on Fifth North and Academy Avenue.  President John Taylor assigned $5000 of Church funds toward the erection of a new building.  In April 1884, using some of the money advanced by the Church, $1300 was paid toward the price of the land which cost $4,800.  Land was purchased and the foundations were dug and completed by October of 1884.  But by 1885, enrollment had declined and lack of funds caused the work on a new academy building to be halted indefinitely.

Additional challenges resulted from the involvement of heirs of Brigham Young who held visitational and veto rights, together with control and management of academy property.  This made administration more complicated and obtaining private donations was more difficult.

This arrangement was dramatically changed in November, 1890 when Brigham’s heirs gave full authority to President Abraham O. Smoot and the Board of Trustees for all aspects of Academy administration.  This led to new life in the Academy and the Board of Trustees immediately moved forward to complete the Academy Building. 

Architect Joseph Don Carlos Young, Brigham’s son, completed the design of the Academy Building.  The Board of Trustees borrowed substantially more money with several board members signing personal guarantees, particularly A.O. Smoot. A.O. Smoot endorsed $65,000 in BY Academy notes, outstanding against his name, with interest up to 12%.  These were all for the Academy and likely for the building.  Also H.H. Child, Harvey H. Cluff, David John and Wilson Dusenberry signed personal guarantees.   

The total cost of the Academy Building was about $100,000.  In 1893 (during this period of loan guaranteeing), A.O. said to his wife: Anne, I haven’t a piece of property that is not mortgaged.  I have had to do it to raise money to keep the Brigham Young Academy going.  That was given to me as a mission and I would sooner lose all than to fail in fulfilling this responsibility.  I love that school and I can see what it means to our youth to have a spiritual as well as book learning.  It must live.

Construction resumed in early 1891 and was completed in late 1891.  It was dedicated by George Q. Cannon, a member of the First Presidency, on January 4, 1892.  President Wilford Woodruff, A.O. Smoot, Karl Maeser and others spoke.  This beautiful building was said to provide the Best Education and Accommodations in the Territory, and was critical to the survival and growth of the BY Academy[1]. 

President A.O. Smoot, who conducted the dedicatory services, said on this occasion:  My heart swells with gratitude as I look upon this assemblage.  I have been watching the academy since its commencement and its reverses and successes.  I have taken an almost fatherly concern in it.  Its graduates are known throughout all Utah and its surroundings.  The prospect for the academy is very flattering for the future.  The old walls of the academy were very dear to me.  The old walls will be remembered with gratitude by many a Brigham Young Academy student.  We are prepared to accommodate 600 students.  We have the furniture and all the appliances.  We feel that the present academic year will not close with less than that number.  I ask the people here today not for their gold and silver, but for their faith and assistance.  I have spent many a sleepless night for the academy.  I feel confident that the success of the Brigham Young Academy is assured.  It will never go backward but onward [Applause.] My association with Dr. Maeser has not been limited.  I have spent many an hour with him and feel that in his retirement he has a greater field of usefulness in which to labor.  May his mantle fall upon his successor, Benjamin Cluff, with becoming dignity.

An early photograph shows the BY Academy Building as it appeared on Founders’ Day in 1900, about eight years after its dedication.  Three years later, the BY Academy became Brigham Young University and Academy Avenue became University Avenue.

The Brigham Young Academy on Founders’ Day in 1900

BY Academy Building. Built under the direction of A.O. Smoot, BY Academy Board of Trustees President, (1875-1895). Started 1884, dedicated – 1892. When the roll of honor is read of the names who have made the Academy what it is today, second only to the illustrious name of its founder, Brigham Young, will stand the name and fame of Abram O. Smoot (Joseph F. Smith)

Provo Tabernacle. Built under the direction of Utah Stake President, A.O. Smoot, (1868-1895). Started 1883, dedicated 1898. President A.O. Smoot said (Sept. 1, 1889, Utah Stake Conference) I hope to live to see the Tabernacle completed and ornamented with an organ and beautiful as a house of worship but I don’t know whether I will or not.

Provo City Center Temple Dec 2014 (see more)

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[1] This Academy Building, after being sold by the Church in 1978, was abandoned and in terrible disrepair; but it was beautifully preserved and expanded (1995-2001) at the cost of about 24 million dollars and currently houses the Provo City Library at Academy Square

Summary of Abraham Owen Smoot Reunions and Other Events

L. Douglas Smoot

It will be included in the book titled: 

ABRAHAM OWEN SMOOT - His life and service in Provo

No	Date	Event	Location	Other Notes (attendees, quotes)
1.	1895	BYA Founder’s Day	Provo	Joseph E. Taylor quote “…the credit for the prosperous condition of this Academy today is largely due to Abraham O. Smoot”
2.	1912	Smoot Family Reunion	Saratoga	Family Photograph; with Diana Eldredge Smoot
3.	1923	Smoot Family Reunion	__	From Preface, Abraham Owen Smoot, L.D. Nixon and L. D. Smoot, 1994
4.	1932	BYU Founder’s Day, honoring A.O. Smoot	__	James E. Talmage (1876 Academy Student) “President Smoot accomplished a work which to one of inferior qualifications or of weaker devotion would have been impossible”
5.	1951	BYU Founder’s Day, honoring A.O. Smoot	__	John C. Swenson (1886 Academy Student) said “…it became customary for students to march to the home of A.O. Smoot and salute him on his birthday…as a gesture of their appreciation for his leadership and his devotion to the Academy”
6.	October, 1962	Dedication of Abraham O. Smoot Administration Building	BYU Campus	Designer – Henry P. Fetzer Dedicated by
7.	June 3, 1978	Smoot Family Reunion (printed program)	BYU Campus	Family Photograph, (ELWC East Ballroom, ca. 340), Reunion Meeting, Family Meeting/Family History, Children’s Program, Banquet (12:30pm – 7:30pm)
8.	June 25, 1983	Smoot Family Reunion (printed program)	BYU Campus	ELWC Ballroom, 19 AO Smoot child representatives, 12:30 – 7:30pm; campus tours, family history report, workshop, refreshments, artifacts, A.O., Margaret histories, children’s program, photographs, children descendants reception, banquet, Vivian McKay, genealogist, 450 attendees, two-day reunion
9.	1994	BYU Founder’s Day honoring A.O. Smoot	BYU Campus	Completion of A.O. Smoot book, (Nixon, Smoot); dedication of A.O. Smoot Building Display Case; Family Reunion; Campus Devotional(Margaret Smoot speaker) Parade (with Doug on horse); Loretta Nixon, genealogist – events over homecoming week
10.	2001	Re-dedication of Preserved BY Academy Building – Provo City Library at Academy Square	Academy Building	Seven Year Project, 24 million dollars; Elder Jeffery Holland dedicated; Academy Building Wing named for A.O. Smoot. Book (Miracle at Academy Square, Doug Smoot, 2003) photograph of dedication services (over 400 in attendance)
11.	2003	Dedication of Smoot Hall – BY Academy Building (Replica of Lewis Building, West Center Street in Provo – destroyed by fire 1884)	This is the Place Heritage Park, Emigration Canyon	Stanley/Mary Ellen Smoot provided funds for this restoration project and  sponsored Family reunion dinner at Park following dedication (ca. 200 attendees)
12.	2006	Re-dedication of Smoot Display, Abraham Owen Smoot Administration Building	BYU Campus Smoot Building	Expansion of Display – Use of Nixon/Smoot book, Personal Life, foster-father of Academy. Family paid cost. Photo
13.	2011	Decade anniversary of re-dedication of BY Academy Building in 2001.	Provo City Library at Academy Square	Banquet, speakers. ca 200 attendees
14.	October, 2015	Family Reunion – Bi-centennial Anniversary of Abraham Owen Smoot’s birth, 17 February 1815, Owenton, Kentucky	BYU Campus, with BYU Founder’s Day – honoring A.O. Smoot	BYU Campus devotional, campus/city tours of A.O. Smoot sites, Family meeting, artifacts display, sales, eight article series on A.O. Smoot in the Daily Herald, new book on A.O. Smoot’s life and service in Provo, Family dinner, family meeting, photograph. New: aosmoot.blogspot.com to coordinate invitations and communications.

                                                                                               

#11 this is where the A. O. Smoot video was shown during a luncheon given at the Grand America Hotel.  Copies are or were available at This is the Place Heritage Park.