From: The Friends of Johnson County Remembrance Park – Iowa City, Iowa

To: Local Press

Announcing: Johnson County Historical Site To Be Dedicated On Labor Day, September 5

The story: The Friends of Johnson County Remembrance Park invite all to join together at 10:30 am on Labor Day, September 5, 2022 for a one-hour Dedication Ceremony of Johnson County’s newest historical site – Remembrance Park – located at the corner of Sand Road and Napoleon Street – south of Iowa City. This small piece of land is being permanently set aside as a wildflower park dedicated to the memory of the earliest Johnson County residents – the Meskwaki tribe, to Jenny – a Native American woman, to Mogawk -an African-American man, to the Phelps brothers – early fur traders in Johnson County, and to the handful of settlers who helped set up our county‘s government in January 1838. It’s this small group of individuals who guided our course towards a spirit of diversity – a hope we desire to carry forward today.

The program: A diverse group of Johnson County residents will join together with a handful of friends from the Meskwaki tribe in Tama to dedicate two stones at Remembrance Park. After the unveiling of the landmark plaques, there will be a group of area musicians and speakers, including a Meskwaki festive dance, all designed to remember the diversity of those who helped start Johnson County in 1838.

More details: http://www.johnsoncountyremembrancepark.org/

Contact:

Marty Boller (319) 361-5256 mjbhawkeye@gmail.com

Marybeth Slonneger (319) 400-0713 mbslonn@mchsi.com