Motor Mill Foundation

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Motor Mill Foundation of Clayton County,
29862 Osborne Rd.,
Elkader, Iowa 52043
563-245-1516
cccb@claytoncountyia.gov

Our Mission:

To protect and preserve the architectural integrity, history, natural beauty and serenity of the Motor Mill site and its surroundings and to develop appropriate uses and interpretation as a regional treasure for the benefit of future generations.

The Motor Mill Advisory Committee

In 2002, the CCCB looked to the public for guidance and assistance to develop a long-range plan for the entire Motor Mill Site.  As a result, the Motor Mill Advisory Committee was formed in March of 2002.  The Motor Mill Advisory Committee, made up of a diverse group of volunteers, began to develop a mission statement and set goals.

In the winter of 2003, an afternoon of sharing Motor memories was held at Osborne Park.  Area residents and former residents of Motor met and told personal and family stories of Motor.  The oral history sessions were videotaped as many details and anecdotes were exchanged.

Formation of the Motor Mill Foundation

In 2004, the Motor Mill Advisory Committee completed a Motor Mill Feasibility Study.  The study outlined 10 priority items for the future development and direction of the Motor Mill Site.  This became a guiding document for the Foundation.

One item included the creation of a foundation.  As a result, the Motor Mill Advisory Committee evolved into the Motor Mill Foundation of Clayton County in September 2004.  Their mission is “To protect and reserve the architectural integrity, history, natural beauty and serenity of the Motor Mill site and its surroundings and to develop appropriate uses and interpretation as a regional treasure for the benefit of future generations.”

The Motor Mill Foundation began planning the future direction of Motor with the development of a two year business plan.  The plan outlined 10 priority items including historical research, having the mill open for tours, becoming a 501c3 organization, scheduling educational events, Robert Grau Memorial Savanna restoration, investigate replacing roofs, bridge replacement, flood protection, development of a trail system and grant writing and fund raising efforts.

In 2005 Resource, Conservation and Development Board (RC&D) chose Motor Mill as one of their project sites.  As a result of this partnership, the RC&D has helped with long range planning and the pursuit of funding sources.

The Motor Mill Site was open for special occasions in the past as staffing allowed.  In 2005, the CCCB received funding through the AmeriCorps Program.  The AmeriCorps Member worked with Conservation Board staff on research, site promotion, land management projects, administration and worked with volunteers to have Motor Mill open for tours two weekends a month May through September.

The Motor Mill Foundation received their 501c3 tax exempt status from the IRS in September 2006.  This designation allows the Motor Mill Foundation to write grants, hold their own accounts, and offer a tax benefit to donors. Officers elected were John Nikolai, John DeNeui, Larry Stone, and Charles Morine. Board of Directors also included Tom Gifford, Jim Hosch, Joleen Jansen, Les Klink, Lee Lenth, and Jeanette Muller.

Since forming, the Motor Mill Foundation has been moving forward with many projects.  Please visit other areas of this website to locate Yearly Annual Reports, newsletters and press releases for up to date information and project status.

Current Members of the Foundation

Chair, Dr. Ken Zichal - A longtime supporter of Motor Mill, Dr. Zichal joined the Motor Mill Foundation in 2016 after he retired from the Central Hospital and Clinic in Elkader in Fall of 2015. He is passionate about art, history, building model tanks, and Motor Mill. He quickly dug in as a volunteer helping with tours and providing fresh ideas. Dr Zichal became Vice Chair of the Motor Mill Foundation in fall of 2021, and in February of 2023 took over duties as its Interim Chair until October when he was officially elected to the position.

Vice Chair, Chris Schoen: Christopher Schoen moved to Clayton County in 2015 from Cedar Rapids where he worked as a professional archaeologist since 1998. His friend, and later wife, brought him to Motor Mill to show him the magnificent buildings and serene setting in 2013. Here he met Lee Lenth and John Nikolai, who invited him to volunteer with restoration activities. After relocating to the county, Chris took Lee up on his offer and began his immersion in all things related to the Motor Mill Historic Site. He is gratified that he can apply his cultural resources background to the development and interpretation of this significant historic place.

Treasurer, Dan Slagel: Dan joined the board early in 2021 and dug right in helping the foundation on a wide range of projects. Dan can be found helping each Tuesday on work projects, giving tours of the Mill, helping with the Interpretive Master Plan and designing new exhibits. Dan's passion and enthusiasm for all aspects of the Historic Site, paired with great ideas have made Dan an integral member of the team. Dan was elected to this position in 2024 when long time treasurer Chuck Morine stepped down.

Secretary, Larry Stone: Larry is a founding member of the Foundation and is on the Clayton County Conservation Board. An avid outdoorsmen, Larry's love for Motor first bloomed during his many canoe/kayak floats along the Turkey River. Both a freelance photographer/writer and a former outdoor photographer/writer for the Des Moines Register, Larry has captured thousands of wonderful images of the site over the years and written many articles about Motor. He and his family still greatly enjoy their trips down the river today and always regard seeing Motor Mill as a highlight.

Board Members

Chuck Morine: Chuck has served on the Motor Mill Foundation since 2002. Chuck has his Masters in Science from the University of Illinois and taught vocational agricultural for three years. Chuck also served our country in the Army before returning home to farm in the Lamont area. He and his wife moved to Clayton County near Osborne when Chuck retired from farming in 2001. Chuck began assisting with the Mill when he first saw it in deep disrepair. He made it his duty to get involved and put in as much time and effort as he could to help rehabilitate Motor Mill to its former glory. He and his wife, Syd, are both active volunteers at the mill, helping with reconstruction, tours, and events. When he is not volunteering with the Mill, Chuck enjoys flower gardening and is a Master Gardener.

Jane Metcalf: Jane served as vice president beginning Fall 2019-2021 after several years demonstrating dedication to the educational efforts at the Mill. Jane joined the foundation as she retired from working for Central Community School in Elkader. Jane is full of fresh new ideas and has added some great new annual events like the Motor Mill Bridge Lighting and the Art Festival. Jane has a strong connection to Motor Mill because she grew up just over the hill where she developed her passion for the historic site.

David Beck: David has been a board member since 2016. History of the mill and the beauty of the location drew him to be involved with the Foundation. With more access to the many historic documents from the mill's formative years housed at the Garnavillo Museum, David has been able to add to and expand interpretation of the mill's history. Giving tours is a particular favorite of his involvement with this group. David is also president of the Clayton County Genealogical Society and board member of the Elkader Historical Society.

Mark Yackel-Juleen: Reverend Dr. Mark Yackel-Juleen received his Doctor of Ministry from Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary in Minnesota. His dedication to rural communities led Mark and his wife Margaret to found Shalom Hill Farm, a rural ministry education and retreat center in southwestern Minnesota. They moved to Iowa in 2015 when Mark became Wartburg's Director for Small Town and Rural Ministry and moved to Clayton County when Margaret became the One in Faith ELCA pastor here. Mark's passion for rural history led him to Motor Mill and he joined the Foundation in 2019.

Don Venteicher: Don joined the Motor Mill foundation late in 2021. Don likes to help out on Tuesday work days and has been a valuable addition to the volunteer crew. In addition to the extra hands he has been a valuable resource for his knowledge of computer technology and design software like CAD and 3D printing.

Brian Balster: Brian joined the board in October 2024. Jumping into volunteering with both feet running in 2024, Brian brought much enthusiasm for volunteering at Motor Mill Historic Site. He has become a valuable member of the team ready to tackle all areas from tours and events to work days and board meetings.

Steve McCorkindale: Steve joined the board in November 2024 and brings much enthusiasm for volunteering at Motor Mill Historic Site. After getting his feet wet in the 2024 season he looks forward to digging in and volunteering more in the come season.

Former Board Members:

• Bob Bente
• Betty Buchholz
• Ellen Collins
• Tom Gifford
• Joleen Jansen
• Jeanette Muller
• Sandy Refle