T
he limestone walls of the historic 90-foot Motor Mill built in 1869, located along the Turkey River, are strong yet today. Many dedicated volunteers are restoring the roof and floor joists that were broken and in need of repair. Support from volunteers, merchants and grant programs have made it possible to strengthen the structure to preserve its history.
With a grant from the Clayton County Foundation for the Future, materials needed for the repairs were purchased and the structural integrity of this cultural treasure is being improved. This has been a critical and primary step in an overall plan to increase visitors to the mill. This stabilization project allows the Clayton County Conservation Board to reopen the mill to the public for tourism and education.
Volunteers have done most of the work inside the mill including replacement of floor joists, flooring and windows. Volunteers who have helped throughout the past year include Jon deNeui, John Nikolai, Lee Lenth, Rick Dengler, Steve Beaumont, Roger Buchholz, Fred Stroschein, Jerry Healy and Tom McGreal. Their time commitment has added up to hundreds of volunteer time which has been used to offset several grants.
A $1,000 grant, awarded in the spring of 2009, is an example of how the Clayton County Foundation for the Future Endowment is supporting tourism & education in the county. The endowment is funded by donors who have taken advantage of Endow Iowa 20% State Income Tax credits for gifts made through community foundations.
The Clayton County Foundation grant applications will be available December 1, 2009 to non-profit organizations that provide services within Clayton County that promote programs and projects for Health & Human Services, Education, Neighborhoods and Community Development, Environment, Children, Youth and Family services and Arts & Culture. Grant applicants must be 501(c)(3) or tax exempt designated organizations in order to be considered for funding.
Applications will be on line at www.claytoncountyiowa.com after December 1, 2009
For more information about Endow Iowa or the foundation’s grant cycle, contact the Clayton County Development Group at 245-2201 or by email: ccdg@alpinecom.net
Photo caption:
Clayton County Conservation Board and the Motor Mill Foundation working together to carry out a plan to restore the site as a tourism and education destination that will tell the story of Iowa’s historic mills, agricultural history and the craftsmanship of stone masonry. Clayton County Foundation for the Future is proud to be a part of preserving the mill.