They replace Doug Bailey, former board chairman, and Kolleen Taylor, former board secretary, who resigned to devote time to other activities.

New Chairman Ryan Rupiper thanked both Bailey and Taylor for their services, then took up an agenda of projects and activities planned for implementation this year.

Carolynn Miller, coordinator, Mulberry Center Church, the historic country church in the park, said a key priority for 2026 “is getting railings installed at both doors of the church. It’s a matter of safety for our visitors,” she said.

Last year the church became ADA-accessible, with concrete ramps leading to both of its doors. Park operations director, Mark Roberts, is optimistic railings can be in place for the start of the church’s annual lecture series, which could start as early as May. Miller is already lining up presenters for the popular lectures. Details on the speakers and their topics will appear in The Daily Freeman Journal throughout summer.

A major priority for the park is completion of museum displays in the First Hamilton County Courthouse. With historic lighting installed, and a number of bookcases moved into the second-floor courtroom, the atmosphere of a late 19th century courthouse is slowly emerging.

Rupiper hopes work inside the courthouse can be completed in time for the park’s annual Fall Fest celebration, scheduled for Oct. 10.

The Illinois Central depot and caboose will also see work this summer. Dean Bowden, a major contributor to both the park’s endowment and ongoing projects, hopes to start this spring on replacing the depot platforms, which once surrounded the building.

When the depot was moved to the park in 1971, the platforms weren’t rebuilt.

A proposal to build model train displays in the depot basement remain on the agenda, and should move ahead once artifacts now stored there can be catalogued and organized. New shelving has been acquired for that purpose.

Rupiper sees model trains as a way to attract families with young children to the park, and create more year-round activity. The park is open May 1 through Oct. 31 each year, with a special December opening for Christmas-in-the-City, and, in some years, at Easter.

The Illinois Central caboose will have its interior stripped to the underframe this spring, the first step in stabilizing its steel car body, which is badly corroded.

“Our first step is to get the rust under control,” said Mark Roberts, who will head up the project.

Hamilton Sandblasting and Contracting, of Hampton, has been hired for the work. The company was chosen for its experience with railroad cars and its proximity to Webster City.

Roberts reported improvements to restrooms in the depot basement are nearly finished, and a programmable electric sign, visible from Superior Street, is due to be installed very soon.

With the park’s official opening on May 1, the depot museum resumes its opening hours of 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31.

There is no admission fee at Wilson Brewer Park, but freewill offerings are encouraged to help fund further improvements.