Forest Grove School No. 5 has received official designation as a Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) Site.
Ranging from dairy farms and museums to vineyards and tractor assembly plants, there are 110 sites and attractions in the heritage area formally designated with preserving and sharing their own unique part of America’s agricultural story.
In celebration of the partnership between SSNHA and Forest Grove School No. 5, a ribbon cutting will take place at the school on June 16 at 11 a.m.
“We are excited with the addition of Forest Grove School No. 5 as one of the heritage area’s newest sites,” said Candy Welch-Streed, SSNHA director of partnerships.
Forest Grove School No. 5 is a restored one-room school in rural Bettendorf. The schoolhouse was built in 1873 and served as a place of learning from 1873 to 1957. The schoolhouse sits on its original site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Forest Grove School No. 5 is currently open free of charge to visitors on Saturday mornings from 9:30am until noon from Memorial Day through Labor Day or by appointment.
“The school shares the important role country schools played in educating rural students and bringing together farm families,” said Welch-Streed. “This school is preserved and interpreted to the 1920’s era, and it is an outstanding example of historic preservation.”
Through a network of sites, programs and events, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area tells the story of farm life and agribusiness—past and present. Visitors can learn about and experience agriculture at a variety of museums, historic sites, and farms. One of 63 federally designated heritage areas in the nation, Silos & Smokestacks is a member of the National Park Service National Heritage Area System. The heritage area covers 37 counties in the northeast quadrant of Iowa. To plan your visit or to learn more, visit www.silosandsmokestacks.org.
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Photo 1: Forest Grove School No. 5
Photo 2: Desks at Forest Grove School No. 5
Topics: Press Releases
