Decorah Historic Preservation Commission seeks photos and documents about downtown buildings

The Decorah Historic Preservation Commission is looking for individuals ready to share stories, photographs and documents on the buildings currently standing in downtown Decorah.

The Commission has almost twenty researchers sifting through public records in order to document the downtown buildings for the proposed National Register of Historic Places nomination.

"But we know that there are many more materials that are not in the public record," said Commission chair Mark Z. Muggli.  "We think it is especially likely that building owners and building occupants have items that would be extremely useful to this project."

In July the Commission announced that it had secured a $25,000 State of Iowa grant and the required $6,500 matching funds that will support a professional consultant and the research and review process required for a National Register nomination.

Said Commission member Jody Holland, "We want to engage directly with the people who own and work in these buildings. We want to learn more about the businesses these buildings have housed and what changes have been made to the buildings and when."

"Every building has a story—or, really, multiple stories," added Commission member Mary Hull Mohr. "Our goal is to record these stories for future generations."  

Individuals with materials to share should contact the Commission chair, Mark Z. Muggli at mugglimz@luther.edu or (612)-720-5795 or Commission research coordinators Jody Holland at hollandjl@msn.com or (515) 344-0538 or Diane Scholl at schollde@luther.edu or (563) 382-4802.