Henry County Historic Conservation Commission

The Henry Co Historic Preservation Commission met Wednesday January 15 at the Henry Co Courthouse conference room. Commissioners attending the meeting were Johanna Crawford, Joel Garretson, Faye Heartsill, Caroline Lehman, Judy Rawson, Larry D. Roth, Mary Savage, and Cathie Schreiner. Guests included Pat White, Mike Richenberger, and Cindy Houston. Not able to attend were Commissioners Todd Barton, Chad Brousseau, and Martha Francy.

Mike Richenberger brought in his collection of local railroad memorabilia which included photographs, train schedules, and maps of abandoned rail lines through Henry County. The Commission is working on a project that would preserve the history of abandoned lines in the county. Johanna Crawford brought in two binders of information on the Crawford country school that will be added to the country school book project.

For the upcoming Certified Local Government Report, the Commission discussed it's accomplishments in 2019 which included the addition of the Hulme house in Jefferson Twp. to the National Register of Historic Places, received an award from the Daughters of the American Revolution, attended Iowa's Preservation Summit, toured the East Grove Quaker Cemetery with the Henry Co Pioneer Cemetery Commission, provided historic highlight articles to the area's newspapers, gathered information for the country school and abandoned RR projects, and added two new Commission members, Judy Rawson of Winfield and Cathie Schreiner of New London.

Goals for the year 2020 include attending the required training, complete the nomination of the Schantz House & Carpentry Shop in Wayland to the National Register of Historic Places, complete a draft of the country school book, gather information on the county's abandoned rail lines, continue the historic highlights column, and celebrate Preservation Month in May.

An election of officers was held for the new year and a nomination to keep the present officers was unanimously approved. Joel Garretson-Chair, Caroline Lehman-Vice-Chair, Mary Savage-Secretary, and Chad Brousseau-Treasurer will continue in their positions.

The next meeting is February 18th at 10:15am at the courthouse conference room, following the annual report out to the Board of Supervisors at 10:00 am. The public is invited.