Log Cabin Questers

Seven members of Log Cabin Questers met at the Four Corners Restaurant, Ainsworth. Diane Anding was hostess to the group, serving coffee, rolls, and fruit before departing for a field trip to Burlington.

Sharon Hahn worked with Burlington Quester Bev Siekman to set up the day?s agenda. The Burlington Public Library was the first stop. Completed in 2006, the library building was designed to complement the town?s historic architecture. Features of the library include meeting rooms and study spaces for groups of two to 150 and access to more than 30 computers. There are special areas designed for children?s story time, tweens, and teens. The local history and genealogy room features a strong collection of local and regional materials. Local Questers were instrumental in the restoration of an early painting of Burlington that was housed in the original public library.

The Des Moines County Heritage Center, originally built to house the Burlington Public Library, was constructed between 1896 and l898. It had three floors: the basement floor used as a gentlemen?s smoking lounge, the main floor was the reference and reading room, and the upstairs floor was an auditorium for meetings and lectures. The building has been on the National Register for Historic Places since 1975. It opened in 2009 as a historic museum, and has won several awards for the best adaptive re-use of a library. It now houses 10 galleries, filled with displays and artifacts of Des Moines County history. It features industry, railroads, steamboats, agriculture and commerce, as well as an interactive children?s area, Catfish Corners, depicting life in a small frontier community. Local Questers assisted with the restoration of two large friezes commemorating Iowa soldiers in the Civil War.

Following lunch at the Big Muddy, the afternoon started with a tour of the Phelps House Museum. It has sheltered three generations of one family for over 100 years. Built in 1851 and enlarged in 1870, this many-leveled home has watched over Burlington through struggles, wars, prosperity, and poverty. During a particularly difficult period, it housed the hospital, and saw the beginning of the School of nursing. Medical displays recognize the role the house played in early medical history. Beautiful historic furnishings, donated by the family, are throughout the house. Local Questers recently completed the addition/restoration of draperies in the parlor.

A walk down Snake Alley, and a quick tour of the restored Capitol Theater completed the day.

The next meeting will be on June 5 at the home of Karen Lyons. Dorothy Koehler will present the program, ?I do, I do.? Members are asked to bring wedding memorabilia.