Politics & Government

Iowa City Parks and Recreation Foundation Using Crowdfunding to Raise Funds to Restore Cabins in Upper City Park

The cabins, officially known as the "Old Settlers' Association of Johnson County Cabins," were recognized as an important piece of local history in June of this year by being named to the National Register of Historic Places.

From the City of Iowa City

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Foundation has enlisted the help of an online crowdfunding website, Razoo, to help raise funds for the restoration of the log cabins in Upper City Park. The cabins, officially known as the "Old Settlers' Association of Johnson County Cabins," were recognized as an important piece of local history in June of this year by being named to the National Register of Historic Places. However, they are currently in need of more than $100,000 in repairs to stop further deterioration and to start the process of restoring and preserving the buildings and their place in Iowa City history.

The Parks and Recreation Foundation's page on the Razoo website, www.razoo.com/story/Iowacitycabinrestoration, includes photos of the cabins, information about the cabins and the restoration project, and a videotaped interview with Marlin R. Ingalls, Architectural Historian Archaeologist with the Office of the State Archaeologist. Ingalls outlines the work that must be done to preserve the structures for the next 75 to 100 years: stabilize the buildings, replace the roof and rotted sidewall logs, rechink the logs, make repairs to the interior, treat the logs to repel insects and mold, and regrade the site to keep water flowing away from the cabins. The Razoo page is now live and ready to accept donations. The online campaign ends November 30.

The cabins are the last surviving structures built by an organization called the Johnson County Old Settlers. Originally constructed in 1889 to commemorate 50 years of settlement in Johnson County , the cabins were moved to Upper City Park in 1918, where they served as a social and educational resource for Iowa City residents, students, and organizations until the 1990s. When the current restoration campaign is completed, plans call for the cabins to once again be used by community members and organizations for meetings, events, and learning opportunities.

In addition to Razoo, people interested in making a donation to the restoration project may drop off or mail a check (made payable to the Parks and Recreation Foundation) to: Parks and Recreation Department, Attn: Joyce Carroll, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240. For more information about the log cabins, call 319/356-5100 or e-mail joyce-carroll@iowa-city.org.



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