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Open house set at Wilson Brewer Park

Depot Museum

Area residents will have an opportunity to view the updates and improvements going on at Wilson Brewer Park during an open house Monday, May 10.

The open house will follow a Rotary Club meeting from noon to 1 p.m. at the park. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., the historic buildings at the park will be open for public viewing. Those attending can tour the Harmony School, Mulberry Center Church, the old courthouse, the two log cabins, the Depot Museum and the Illinois Central caboose that was added last year. Visitors can also take a walk around the park on the new sidewalk that winds through the space and between the buildings. Along the path are several iron benches that have been purchased by families, clubs and other groups as tributes or memorials.

The Wilson Brewer Park committee has been working for the past several years to improve the park and its historic buildings and artifacts.

The first big project involved refurbishing the two log cabins.. The cabins were dismantled from top to bottom. The logs were removed and repaired, then were returned to the park, and placed on new foundations. Phil Grossman of Heritage Woodworks will be present to talk about the work on the old cabins, according to Gary Groves, committee chairman.

This year, work is expected to begin on the old courthouse, one of only two wood-framed courthouses still standing in Iowa.

The committee members said a deck around the caboose will also be added to allow for easier viewing of the vintage train car.

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