DES MOINES – The State Historical Society of Iowa has awarded nearly $600,000 in grants to preserve Iowa’s historical collections and country schools, invest in communities through historic preservation, and promote Iowa history.

The grants support 26 projects in 24 Iowa communities, from Orange City to Burlington and Greenfield to Decorah. Funding comes from the State Historical Society’s Country School Grant Program and the Historical Resource Development Program, funded through the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program. See the entire list, HERE.

In the category of Documentary Collections, The Creston Historic Preservation Commission/Union County Historical Newspapers Digitization Project, received a $12,270 grant. Creston and Afton newspapers from around 1878 to 1925 are saved on microfilm but are not online. This project will digitize these historic newspapers and make them available and searchable on the local public library website.

In the Historic Preservation category, the Greenfield Historic Preservation Commission received a $3,854 grant for the Tastee-Freez/Tiger Drive-In National Register Nomination Project. This project will enable the Greenfield Historic Preservation Commission to hire a historic preservation consultant to research and prepare a nomination for the Tastee-Freez/Tiger Drive-In in Greenfield, Iowa, to the National Register of Historic Places.

Tastee-Freez, Greenfield, IA

State Historical Society of Iowa Administrator Susan Kloewer said “Today’s grant recipients have a strong connection to the history of our state and we’re delighted to partner with them to preserve our past. Their passion and commitment to Iowa history will inspire the next generation of Iowans to make sure our state’s legacy lives on. Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients.”

The Country School Grant program helps to preserve or maintain Iowa’s one- or two-room country schools or to provide historical interpretation or educational activities related to the school.

The Historical Resource Development Program grants help preserve, conserve, interpret, enhance and educate the public about historic preservation, museum collections and documentary collections.