Over the last year, the Mount Pleasant Historic Preservation Commission has worked on a historical and architectural survey of downtown Mount Pleasant. Business owners, property owners, and local residents are invited to hear the results of the survey effort at a public meeting on Thursday May 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room on the third story of Union Block (111 W. Monroe St). Project consultant Rebecca Lawin McCarley of SPARK Consulting, Cedar Rapids, will present information on the downtown survey project and the National Register of Historic Places.
The survey area for the project encompasses the buildings around the square, as well as additional historic commercial buildings extending out from the square along Jefferson St, Main St, Monroe St, Washington St, and adjacent blocks. Overall, 137 properties within this area have been included in this historical and architectural survey project. The resources in downtown Mount Pleasant are primarily commercial, with some additional governmental, religious, and residential buildings as well.
The goal of the historical and architectural survey has been to assess the possibility of a historic district in downtown Mount Pleasant that might be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), as well as to research and evaluate the significance of the individual buildings. An Iowa Site Inventory form including architectural and historical information on each property has been completed as part of this project. This survey positions the commission and community to undertake future projects, including the nomination of a potential downtown historic district to the NRHP.
Project consultant Rebecca Lawin McCarley will present information at the public meeting on the survey results and a potential downtown historic district, about the National Register of Historic Places, and on the benefits of listing and financial incentive programs for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. McCarley notes that no additional restrictions are placed on property owners who have buildings listed in a historic district.
The survey project for downtown Mount Pleasant is led by the Mount Pleasant Historic Preservation Commission, funded by a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant from the National Park Service through the State Historic Preservation Office. Main Street Mount Pleasant and Henry County Heritage Trust are partners with the commission on this project, supporting their efforts to recognize the significant history and architecture found in downtown Mount Pleasant.
The local public meeting on the downtown survey project on Thursday May 23 is a precursor to the Preserve Iowa Summit, which will be held in Mount Pleasant on June 6-8. The Preserve Iowa Summit is the annual statewide conference for historic preservation activities in Iowa, with anyone interested in local history or historic preservation encouraged to attend. The downtown survey project will be featured at this statewide conference with a public presentation on the evening of Thursday June 6 and during the session on Saturday June 8. Information on the Preserve Iowa Summit and the link to registration is available online at https://culture.iowaeda.com/events/230. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lea Bradley (319-931-0671)
Local volunteers receive complimentary conference registration.