IHPA's Mission
IHPA builds partnerships that enhance our economic and cultural future through the preservation of Iowa's historic resources. Learn more...
Flooding in and around Columbus Junction, IA - 2008
Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance and National Trust for Historic Preservation Make Tip Sheet Available to Iowans Affected by Flooding
The Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance, in coordination with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is distributing free copies of a one-page tip sheet for owners of older and historic buildings impacted by flooding. The tip sheet is a summary of a free publication “Treatment of Flood-Damaged Older and Historic Buildings” available from National Trust Preservation Books online at www.preservationnation.org. Free hard copies of the tip sheet and the publication are also available by calling the Midwest Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation at 312-939-5547.
The Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance, along with partners the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, and the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area, want to share the tip-sheet, which contains lessons learned following the Gulf Coast flooding of 2005. Many historic building materials can be needlessly lost in the haste to clean up a flood-damaged property. Some of these elements—like elaborate wood trim—are costly to duplicate, and in many cases can be slowly dried out, refinished and reinstalled into the rehabilitated structure.
The flooding tip sheet is being made available to anyone who wants it, including property owners, news media across the state, government officials, and emergency management officials. Information about flood recovery can be found at www.iowapreservation.org, www.iowahistory.org, and www.preservationnation.org.
Download the tip sheet:
Saving Your Flood Damaged Older and Historic Buildings (PDF format - 68KB)
IHPA Damage Assessment Tips and Resources (PDF format - 188KB)
Damage Assessment Tips and Resources for Storm Damaged Historic Cemeteries (PDF format - 196KB)
Full Press Release:
IHPA & NTHP Press Release June 17, 2008 (PDF format - 184KB)
IHPA Announces the 2008 Country School Preservation Conference
The 9th annual Iowa country school preservation conference will be held October 10-11, 2008, in Ames. This year's conference, Perceptions of the Country School, will feature Dr. Pamela Riney-Kehrberg, ISU Director of Graduate Education, Program in Agricultural History and Rural Studies. Learn more...
Upcoming Events
Jul. 10-11 • Research and Writing of a Long-Range Preservation Plan, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jul. 10 (5:30 pm) • Architecture @ Hand Walking Tour, Des Moines, Iowa
Jul. 12 (6:00 pm) • Farmall Promenade Farewell Tour, Schaller, Iowa
Preservation News from Across the State
Flood News Roundup
Historic Properties Across Iowa Affected by June Flooding
With so many historic properties affected by Iowa's flooding, the Communications Committee decided to give a quick roundup of the news so far. If you have news about flood-affected historic ... Read full item
Iowa Dept. of Cultural Affairs Requests Reports on Flood Damage to Cultural Resources
Report damage to cultural, historical, and art properties & assets
DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is urging Iowans to report recent flood, storm and tornado damage of cultural, historical and art properties and assets to a special ... Read full item
Perry's Hotel Pattee to Reopen Next Month
Historic hotel has been closed since December 2006
The Historic Hotel Pattee will reopen next month under the management of Leisure Hotels & Resorts of Leawood, Kansas. Perry native Roberta Green Ahmanson renovated and opened the 1913 hotel in 1997, drawing ... Read full item
More statewide preservation news...
Take Action!
Iowa barn-owners need your help!
The Iowa Senate Agriculture Committee is working to pass SF 2075, which expands the rehabilitated barn property tax exemption from 1936 to 50 years of age as the qualification date. This successful program has had unintended limitations due to the exclusion of barns built after 1936. With the newly expanded criteria we will hopefully see more barns rehabilitated on our Iowa landscape. Find out how to help