America 250: A Winneshiek County Historical Celebration

Join the Winneshiek County Historical Society in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States on Tuesday, June 30th at 302 S. Mill Street from 4 to 6 pm. There will be exhibits of notable events and people in the long life of Winneshiek County recounted on a timeline beginning in 1776 and stretching to 2026. Photos, artifacts, and information on some of the county’s natural features, historic businesses, and changes that have occurred over time will also be presented. A sampling includes tools of the indigenous people of the area, beginning in 10,000 BCE and extending to 1,000 CE, loaned by Luther College, and tools used by the early settlers in the county from 1845 to 1900 CE, loaned by WCHS board member, Roger Bergan, historic events like the drilling of a potential oil well, the Landers family’s connection to a Revolutionary War hero, and Winneshiek County residents who made history in the larger world, changing the way life evolved in their era and beyond. A kiosk loaned by Iowa Public Television with stories of Iowans who changed the world for the better is also included. Videos of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and their burial sites and a town’s celebration of the American flag will be shown continuously during the event. The newly installed rain garden is an outdoor attraction and a self-guided tour of the interior of the 1860 Landers home’s ongoing restoration will also be available. In an effort led by Lucile Price of Decorah, the Broadway-Phelps Park Historic District received National Register designation in 1976 during the nation’s Bicentennial year. The Decorah Branch of the American Association developed a walking tour pamphlet at that time with information on the Historic District’s architecture which provides a “time capsule” of our county seat’s development and growth. To commemorate the Historic District’s 50-year anniversary, a walking tour of the Broadway-Phelps Park Historic District architecture and its history will be held from 4 to 5 pm in conjunction with the Historical Society’s event. It will be led by WCHS board member, Elizabeth Lorentzen. Those interested are asked to meet on the W. Broadway side of the Methodist Church at 4 pm on June 30th. The tour will conclude by 5 pm at the Historical Society’s 1860 Greek Revival home, where ice cream may be enjoyed by all participants as well as the exhibits and features listed above.