WATERLOO, Iowa – Each year, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) celebrates the best in heritage development by presenting the “People’s Choice Site of the Year”. Voted on by the public, this special honor is presented to only one deserving SSNHA Heritage Area Site.

Voting will run from Oct. 19-23 and will be open to the public at www.silosandsmokestacks.org/peopleschoicevoting, with the winner announced on Nov. 5 during the SSNHA’s Heritage Area Annual Training at Cedar Falls Convention Center and Event Center.

 The 2026 nominees are:

Fossil & Prairie Park Preserve, Rockford

The Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum, Decorah

Waterloo Center for the Arts: Phelps Youth Pavilion

Seed Savers Exchange: Decorah

Mathias Ham Historic Site, Dubuque

The mission of Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is to preserve and tell the story of American agriculture — past, present and future. Visit one of SSNHAs more than 100 heritage area sites throughout Northeast Iowa to learn more about the history of farming or to experience the new and amazing innovations in the agriculture industry. For more information, visit www.silosandsmokestacks.org.

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Fossil & Prairie Park Preserve, Rockford

The Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum, Decorah

Waterloo Center for the Arts: Phelps Youth Pavilion

Seed Savers Exchange: Decorah

Mathias Ham Historic Site, Dubuque