How you can help!
--Give us your ideas for how the rehabilitated structure can help Northwood.
--send us a tax deductible donation.
--speak to others about how important the building could be to the community.
Help us save the Stromstein Building!
On July 1 the Iowa State
Historic Preservation office awarded the Worth County Historical Society
$50,000 towards the phase 1 rehabilitation of the historic Stromstein
Building. Only 26 of 86 eligible projects were funded, with none
receiving more support than the Worth County Historical Society. The
state has long been an advocate for this building and with your pledge
we are on our way to restoring it as a gateway to the historic district
and a productive part of the community.
The building, commonly called the Opera House, was deemed one of the top
10 most endangered properties in Iowa in January 2012, primarily because
of its unique roof and facade. It sits at the western end of the
Northwood Central Avenue Historic District, which was placed on the
national register in 2006.
The architect, engineer and contractor have already met at the building,
and work is set to begin the week of August 13. Phase 1 will entail
temporarily moving the structure to build a new, historically authentic
foundation, with roof beam repair and roof replacement to follow.
Our first mailing to the WCHS membership has netted close to $11,000
already. We need to match the $50,000 state grant this year. Exterior
and interior restoration will take place in future phases.
How can I contribute?
By helping us reach our goal of $50,000 in matching funds. Email your tax-deductible pledge to project coordinator Deanna Brunsvold at president@worthhistory.org. We will send you a SASE for your convenience. If you would like to send a check directly, please write it to Worth County Historical Society-Stromstein Fund, c/o WBC, Box 42, Northwood, IA 50459
More information online:
KIMT-TV
Preservation Iowa
http://www.preservationiowa.org/programs/endangeredItem.php?id=250&year=2012
Globe Gazette
Thanks for your consideration and support of historic preservation in Worth County.
Sincerely,
Deanna Brunsvold, president and project coordinator,
Worth County Historical Society
P.S. We’d love to hear any suggestions you may have for the building’s future use.