Henry County Historic Preservation Commission meets

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission met Wednesday October 19 at the old Pilot Grove No. 6 schoolhouse at East Grove Farms. In attendance were Caroline Lehman, Larry D. Roth, Pat White, Mary Savage, Judy Rawson, Cathy Schreiner, and Joel Garretson. The agenda and minutes from the last meeting were approved and correspondence was discussed. Larry Roth provided an update on the Wayland historic residential district national register nomination project. Pat White provided the treasurer's report and update on book sales. Pat also discussed a joint project between the Historic Preservation Commission and the Pioneer Cemetery Commission in developing a comprehensive book on the county's cemeteries. Commissioners have volunteered to do research in the townships they are familiar with. Joel Garretson shared photos taken of Danny Graber's 1886 Beckwith bank barn to see if the barn would qualify for placement on the National Register of Historic Places. Mary Savage reported on the recent visit to the Lewelling Quaker Museum by John and Genie Gerdes and friends. John is the great great great grandson of Ruel Daggs who owned slaves in Missouri that had escaped to Salem through the underground railroad. Pat White announced that the Lincoln Harlan House Museum has a new director, Spencer Barton. Judy Rawson announced several upcoming history related events in the Winfield Museum; Vintage Toys on November 6 and open house on December 17, and Caroline Lehman announced that a new display on Iowa history will be at the Dover Museum on October 30. The next meeting will be November 16 at the courthouse.