history – Discover Muscatine WPematico Content

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Take a guided tour through Muscatine history on Sunday, Sept. 25, as the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department hosts the annual “Walk (or Ride) Through History” at Greenwood Cemetery, 1814 Lucas Street. Tours begin at 1 p.m. This event is fun for all ages and free to attend.

Include this annual tradition in your fall festivities and learn a bit of Muscatine’s history. Tour guides will relay enticing stories about some of Greenwood Cemetery’s most interesting and influential residents. All tales will be historically accurate and sure to entertain you.

The “Walk (or Ride) Through History” tours will last for approximately one hour and will take place rain or shine. MuscaBus will provide riding tours on a first-come, first-served basis for those who wish to ride or in case of inclement weather. Walking groups and MuscaBus tours will meet outside of the Greenwood Cemetery Chapel. Pre-registration is not required for walking tours.

Those attending the “Walk (or ride) through History” are reminded that Lucas Street is closed to traffic from West 8th Street to West 4th Street due to construction. West 8th Street is open to traffic as is Lucas Street from the West 8th intersection west towards Greenwood Cemetery. Logan Street is also closed between Lucas and Climer.

However, the area remains a construction zone and caution should be used when travelling through this area. Parking is available along Lucas Street west of the cemetery.

Volunteer tour guides are needed. Please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241 to volunteer, or to find out more information about this event.

MUSCATINE, Iowa – May is National Preservation Month and in celebration of the efforts to preserve Muscatine history, three Historic Preservation Awards will be presented by the City of Muscatine Historic Preservation Committee. The winners will be honored during a reception from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Muscatine Art Center.

The reception will offer a screening of historic properties in Muscatine and recognition of community members committed to preserving historic buildings. The event is free and open for all to attend.

Commercial Rehabilitation Award

The Commercial Rehabilitation Award will be presented to Alyshea Gow, owner of Feather Your Next Interiors, for the restoration of a commercial building located at 106 East 2nd Street.

Residential Rehabilitation Award

The Residential Rehabilitation Award will be presented to Dennis and May Palmer for their restoration of the private residence at 1007 Cedar Street.

Leadership-Stewardship Award

The Historic Preservation Leadership-Stewardship Award will be presented to Brad and Rachel Roeth in recognition of their preservation efforts at several historic locations in Muscatine.

Special Recognition

A Special Recognition will be presented in recognition of the 140th Anniversary of Blackwell House, currently owned by Mark and Christine Post, located at 206 Cherry Street.

The Historic Preservation Commission sent out a request for award nominations in April. Nominations needed to include the property owner’s name and address as well as a description of the type of work completed.

Owners were allowed to nominate their own property and/or work, or individuals were able to nominate properties that they knew about. The work should have focused on retaining the historic integrity of the property and have been completed in 2020 or 2021. Before and after photos should be attached to the nomination but are not required for submission.

Light refreshments will be served.