Historic Preservation Commission now online

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission held its first meeting of the new year on Wednesday January 16 at the courthouse conference room. Larry D. Roth reported on the progress for nominating sites in Wayland and Jefferson Township to the National Register of Historic Places. The Hulme house on Franklin Avenue has been approved for State Committee review on February 8. Site inventory forms have been completed for the Flowers School and Wayland Methodist Church.

An historic preservation page has been added to the Henry County website and currently features small museums. More historic information will be added to the site during the year. The Commission discussed its accomplishments in 2018 and set new goals for 2019. Grants for projects will be sought as they become available to supplement the Commission's budget. Ideas for Preservation Month in May were discussed. Plans were also discussed for creating a map and brochure of abandoned railroads in the county. If enough new information is discovered regarding the railroads, production of a book is under consideration. The Henry Co Historic Highlights columns in the local papers will continue through the year. Commissioners mourned the loss of three dedicated Commissioners during 2018; Gwen Moore of New London, Rosie Kramer of Salem, and R.L. Chrisinger of Winfield. A recruiting program for new Commissioners is underway and anyone interested in joining the Commission should contact Joel Garretson at 319-217-0276.

The Commission will report out to the Board of Supervisors on February 21 at 10:30am with a meeting immediately following. The public is invited.