PRESS RELEASE

June 2, 2008

Contact: Sheriffa Jones (712) 262.2083 sjones@iowalakesrcd.org
or Brittney Jepsen (712) 262.2083 brittney.jepsen@simpson.edu

Palo Alto Historic Preservation Reconnaissance Survey

The West Bend Historical Society has been provided with a grant from the Palo Alto County Gaming Development Corporation to complete a survey of Palo Alto’s historic resources.  These funds have been matched by the Iowa Lakes RC&D, located in Spencer. These funds will be used to successfully complete the project.  

Sheriffa Jones, an architectural historian, of the Iowa Lakes RC&D has been hired by the West Bend Historical Society as the project manager.  She will complete the surveying of the incorporated towns and communities in Palo Alto County.  The USDA/FSA and Palo Alto Extension Office have partnered with the Iowa Lakes RC&D to survey the rural areas of the county. 

With the changes taking place in rural landscapes, communities, and disappearing farmsteads and buildings, the projects purpose is to create a data base that will help preserve the heritage and can be used as a historical record for the county.

This data base will include a website of the historic resources found during the survey, i.e. schools, churches, barns.  As a result of this survey and website, we believe that tourism will increase with the knowledge supplied on the website.  With the increase in tourism there will be a greater demand to implement preservation as an economic development strategy in the communities.

As a citizen, or frequent visitor, of Palo Alto County we not only want to inform you about historic preservation activities that are occurring in your area, but we also want to open the door to a great volunteering opportunity.  This is a fantastic way to give back to your community in a positive manner.  It is also a wonderful means to learn more about your community’s history. 

If you are interested in any aspect of volunteering please contact Sheriffa Jones or Brittney Jepsen at 712-262-2083 by June 16th. There will be a volunteer training workshop scheduled for a later date.

###