Henry County Heritage Trust receives two new donations

A couple of donations have been made recently to the Henry County Heritage Trust (HCHT), which oversees the former Saunders Elementary School building and the Van Allen family home.

Donations include a dress, slip and bracelets from the early 1900s, owned by Mary Firebaugh Swaney, one of six T.T.T. founders. Also donated was a panel of wood carvings by the Avenue of the Saints Wood Carvers. HCHT is in the process of learning more about the history of this former organization.

Both of the properties that the HCHT oversees are located two blocks northwest of the square in Mt. Pleasant and are being renovated by HCHT.

The Van Allen House was the boyhood home of Dr. James Van Allen, a Mt. Pleasant native and world-famous astrophysicist, and is not regularly open. However, tours are available and events are hosted at the home.

The Henry County Heritage Center is housed in the former Saunders Elementary School building and is open May through October on Saturday afternoons and other times by appointment.

The museum offers historical displays and memorabilia featuring Saunders School, the Van Allen family, Mt. Pleasant, Henry County veterans and all the towns and townships of the county.

Also in the museum is the Donald Young Memorial Room, which houses a collection of Henry County books, maps, photos, postcards, and files for historical research, which are being organized.

Some of the exhibit examples in the Henry County Heritage Center include an 1839 replica of the Henry County Courthouse, the first courthouse in the State of Iowa; a circa 1950s scale model of the Mt. Pleasant square, constructed and donated in 2014; and an 1880s ledger, listing guests and visitors to the Brazelton Hotel.

By renovating the Van Allen House and Saunders School, and sponsoring events celebrating Henry County, HCHT fulfills its mission ?to transform community landmarks into civic spaces; to preserve historic artifacts and memories; and to promote and celebrate the history and heritage of Henry County and its people.?