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Walk through Iowa Wesleyan campus this weekend

Grab books at the Chadwick Library, take a walk down memory lane, and enjoy a Brass Quintet concert at IW campus this weekend

AnnaMarie Kruse

Nov. 2, 2023 1:53 pm, Updated: Nov. 3, 2023 6:25 am

Old Main on the Iowa Wesleyan University Campus in Mount Pleasant was built in 1854. It was the second building on the campus, with classrooms on the first two floors and a libary and natural history museum on the third floor. To the left of Old Main is the first building on the college campus, Pioneer Hall. (Diane Fannon-Langton/correspondent)
Old Main on the Iowa Wesleyan University Campus in Mount Pleasant was built in 1854. It was the second building on the campus, with classrooms on the first two floors and a libary and natural history museum on the third floor. To the left of Old Main is the first building on the college campus, Pioneer Hall. (Diane Fannon-Langton/correspondent)
A banner boasted Iowa Wesleyan school pride prior to the school closing this year. (Union File Photo)
A banner boasted Iowa Wesleyan school pride prior to the school closing this year. (Union File Photo)
Students meander campus as they tried to wrap their heads around the news of Iowa Wesleyan closing this past March. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
Students meander campus as they tried to wrap their heads around the news of Iowa Wesleyan closing this past March. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
This Walk of Honor leading to the University Chapel remembers numerous individuals that studied, contributed, and loved Iowa Wesleyan in the 181 years of it’s existence. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
This Walk of Honor leading to the University Chapel remembers numerous individuals that studied, contributed, and loved Iowa Wesleyan in the 181 years of it’s existence. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
The Belle Babb Mansfield statue on the Iowa Wesleyan University campus was recognized as an official designated site of the National Votes for Women Trail. (Ashley Duong/The Union)
The Belle Babb Mansfield statue on the Iowa Wesleyan University campus was recognized as an official designated site of the National Votes for Women Trail. (Ashley Duong/The Union)

MT. PLEASANT — This weekend offers an opportunity for those interested to get one last look at the Iowa Wesleyan campus through an open house, one more community day, and a concert in the chapel.

The Mt. Pleasant and Iowa Wesleyan University communities were shaken when the university’s board of trustees announced on Tuesday, March 28 that IW would not enroll students for the 2023-24 school year and would cease educational operations at the end of the 2023 Spring semester.

The final chapter of IW officially began when they ceased operations on May 31 this year.

While some next steps for the university’s campus assets have been revealed in the following months, much remains unknown.

Currently, Mt. Pleasant Community School District plans to purchase most of main campus, the Harlan-Lincoln House now has its own charitable organization with which to resume operations, and Henry County Heritage Trust now cares for the Iowa Wesleyan archives.

The board of trustees and those working on wrapping up the loose ends with the university have hosted many Community Days opening buildings for the public to scavenge through.

Many have found memorabilia. Others enjoyed exploring the buildings. Some simply found useful items.

According to Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, the public is also welcome to attend one more community day at the Raymond J. Chadwick Library Friday, Nov. 3 from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9a.m.-5 p.m.

While previous community days allowed the public to take nearly anything not nailed down from the former campus, attendees may only take books at this event.

Much of the rest of campus will open again this weekend, too. Not in the same capacity, though.

The public is invited to walk through most Iowa Wesleyan campus buildings, including Hershey Hall, and excluding the old gym, Nemitz suites, and Harlan-Lincoln House Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Chadwick Library will not be open Sunday, Nov. 5

These buildings will open to the public as an open house-style event for interested individuals to take pictures and reminisce as this chapter of history closes.

Unlike the community days offered previously, no items should be taken during these times.

In addition to taking a walk down memory lane through the buildings, the Southeast Iowa Brass Quintet will perform an approximate 45-minute concert in the chapel Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.

This concert is free and open to the public.

For additional information about the open-house event this weekend contact Steve Freymark at (319) 321-9017

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
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