Historic commission continues preservation efforts

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Historic Preservation Commission Chair Joel Garretson detailed the commission’s unwavering mission: preserving the county’s rich history while adapting to modern challenges in a recent update to the Henry County Board of Supervisors.

“We are unpaid commissioners. We don’t receive any compensation for anything that we do,” Garretson said. “The only thing that we do get reimbursed for is for travel if we have to go to required training.”

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Despite the lack of financial incentives, those on the commission remain dedicated to its work, ensuring that historical sites and stories endure for future generations.

Over the past year, the Commission took on numerous preservation projects, engaged in community outreach, and strengthened local historical resources. One of the highlights includes hosting the Iowa Preservation Summit in Mt. Pleasant.

“Last year, the Iowa Preservation Summit was held here in Mt. Pleasant, which is quite an honor to have it here locally, Garretson said.

The event underscored Henry County’s commitment to historic preservation on a statewide level.

According to Garretson, the Summit is held in various locations across the state. This year’s summit will be held in Muscatine and commission members are happy they won’t have to travel too far to attend.

When members of the commission attend the summit in Muscatine this year, they hope to give a presentation on 30 years of historic preservation in Henry County. They submitted a proposal to do so already.

Another major accomplishment included the nomination of the Wayland Historic Residential District to the National Register of Historic Places.

“It’s the first residential district in Henry County to be on the National Register,” Garretson noted, marking a significant milestone for local historic preservation efforts.

The commission also contributed financially to key restoration projects, including a $3,000 donation to restore a Daughters of the American Revolution marker in Lowell Stevenson Park.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what happens with that,” Garretson said.

Support also extended to the restoration of the K Line Railroad flag stop lead by Lynn Conrad and reviewing historic site environmental guidelines.

Beyond preservation, the Commission remained active in public education, particularly through its efforts in publishing books on local history. It published a bimonthly Henry County Historic Highlights column in local newspapers, contributed to museum outreach, and continued sales of its historically focused books.

The Commission has authored several books, including Cemeteries of Henry County, Schools of Henry County, and Transportation of Henry County, all of which have been well received by the community.

“We’ve written several books since I’ve been on the Commission,” Garretson said. “We’ve done about four books, and sales have been good. We’re just about out of the last book, the cemetery book.”

Looking ahead, the Commission plans to develop a guidebook for historic sites in Henry County, aiming to enhance tourism and public engagement.

“We’re working with the Chamber of Commerce and Elizabeth Garles to try to enhance tourism in a way that hasn’t been in the past,” Garretson said. “We’re working on a guidebook for all the sites in Henry County,” Garretson said. “It’s still in the early stages, but we hope to have a map and a driving tour, similar to the state's COVID Adventure Book.”

Garretson also shared that six of its nine commissioners’ terms will expire in December 2025, and recruiting younger members has proved difficult.

“It would be nice to have some younger people, but it’s hard for younger people to get out away from their jobs,” Garretson said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com