ST. GEORGE, Utah — Stories have roots. Some run deep through red rock and memory, others stretch across generations, connecting people in ways both quiet and profound. On April 17, 2026, the Juanita Brooks Conference & Lecture Series invites the community to explore those connections during a full day centered on the theme “Gathering Roots & Relationships.”
Hosted in the heart of St. George, the conference will take place at St. George City Hall at Town Square from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., bringing together scholars, storytellers, and community members for a dynamic exchange of history, identity, and belonging.
Inspired by the legacy of historian Juanita Brooks, the event reflects her lifelong commitment to honest history and courageous conversation. Brooks, known for examining complex and sometimes uncomfortable chapters of the past, believed that understanding our shared stories strengthens both individuals and communities.
The conference will feature a variety of presentations exploring themes of family, heritage, regional identity, and human connection—threads that weave together the fabric of Southern Utah’s past and present. Attendees can expect a welcoming environment where scholarship meets storytelling and where local voices stand alongside broader perspectives.
The day will conclude with the annual Juanita Brooks Lecture, featuring local author & historian Lyman Hafen, held at the historic St. George Tabernacle, offering a culminating moment of reflection and insight.
This free event is open to the public, inviting anyone with a curiosity about history—or a desire to better understand the people and relationships that shape it—to attend.
Event Details:
- What: Juanita Brooks Conference & Lecture Series
- Theme: Gathering Roots & Relationships
- When: April 17, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Where: St. George City Hall at Town Square; evening lecture at St. George Tabernacle
- Cost: Free and open to the public
- More Information: juanitabrooks.org/conference
Whether you come as a historian, a storyteller, or simply someone who wonders how the past still echoes in the present, this gathering offers a place to listen, learn, and connect — root to root, story to story.
