Henry County Historic Preservation Commission meets

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission met Wednesday, Aug.16 at the Henry County Courthouse. Attending were Commissioners Johanna Crawford, Joel Garretson, Caroline Lehman, Judy Rawson, Larry D. Roth, Mary Savage, and Pat White, and guests Lynn Conrad and Caleb Waters.

The requested edits to the Wayland Historic District nomination to the National Register of Historic Places have been sent to the State Historical Society who will then forward the nomination onto the National Park Service for final approval which is expected in September.

Lynn Conrad who has been organizing the K-Line Flagstop project at Oakland Mills provided an update with work expecting to resume this fall. They have received donations for restoration of the building and have asked the Commission for financial assistance for the roof replacement.

Caleb Waters, Executive Director of the Henry County Conservation Department, provided an update on the D.A.R. monument in Stephenson Park in Lowell. The 100 year old monument displays a French burr stone used by one of the old mills at Lowell and is need of reconstruction due to its age and flooding over the years. The Commission intends to work with the Henry Co Conservation Department and the James Harlan Chapter of the D.A.R. to rebuild the monument in a different location in the park.

Pat White from the Henry Co. Heritage Trust Center reported that all the Iowa Wesleyan University archives designated to be housed at the center have been moved and a new HVAC system has been installed to ensure the correct climate for long term storage. Spencer Barton has been cataloging and creating an inventory of the archives.

Johanna Crawford mentioned that the Swedish-American Museum is holding another pancake breakfast in Swedesburg Aug. 19. The Henry County Heritage Trust Center is sponsoring a program on Chautuaqua by Grace Davis at 2 p.m., Aug.19. They are also having a Tag Sale on Aug. 26.

The next Commission meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. at the courthouse.