Henry Co Historic Preservation Commission Report Out for July Meeting

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission held its July meeting on Wednesday the 17th at the Henry County Courthouse.  Attending were commissioners Johanna Crawford, Joel Garretson, Caroline Lehman, Judy Rawson, Larry D. Roth, Mary Savage, and Pat White. The agenda and minutes from the June meeting were reviewed and approved, as well as a review of the last fiscal year’s spending.  New county-wide museum brochures are in the development phase which will include QR codes for each museum.  The Commission also reviewed and discussed a MOA (Memo of Understanding) between the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, BNSF Railroad, and the Henry Co Historic Preservation Commission regarding the proposed replacement of the Rome BNSF RR bridge over the Skunk RIver.  The bridge is eligible for placement on the National Register of Historic Places, however that is not viewed as practical.  As an offset for the loss of an historic artifact, BNSF is offering to supply photographs of the structure and prepare a report on the history of railroads in Henry County.  In other business the Commission discussed the possibility of a museum passport program as an incentive for area residents and students to visit our local museums. Also discussed is a program to identify all historic sites and features in the county into a magazine style publication complete with photos, descriptions, and maps.  In the open forum, Mary Savage spoke about the Lewelling Quaker Museum personnel’s recent trip to Clark County, MO visiting the former Ruel Daggs farm and the Clark Co Historical Society.  Nine Freedom Seekers from Daggs farm made their way to Salem in 1848 which resulted in a famous federal trial in Burlington in which Daggs sued citizens of Salem for loss of property.

There are several upcoming programs in the county’s museums this summer.  The Henry Co Heritage Center Museum features “Researching Your Civil War Roots” with Ray Wilson, on July 20 at 2:00 pm, “Garretson Family Heritage Farm” with Joel Garretson on August 17 at 2:00 pm, “Native American Artifacts” with Denny White on August 24 at 2:00 pm, and “Pioneer Cemetery Day” with the HC Pioneer Cemetery Commission on September 21 at 2:00 pm. At the Dover Museum in New London on July 21 at 1:30 pm, there will be a presentation on the story of D. Kenneth Shelledy, US Army Air Corp, WWII, “Letters to and From Home“.  At Crooked Creek Days in Winfield the Historical Society and Museum will be serving breakfast.  The Swedish American Museum in Swedesburg will be holding several pancake breakfasts in the next few weeks. Be sure to check the museum’s Meta (Facebook) pages for details.

Joel Garretson, Chairman HCHPC