On Labor Day 2022 – we had a wonderful gathering – about 75 people – who joined together to celebrate the dedication of Remembrance Park. See pics here. BTW – if you have photos from the day & would like to share them – send ’em here.
KCRG-TV was there – as soon as we have the story on video – we’ll post it on our website!
A tip of the old hat to Jo Kelly – a relative of William & Sumner Phelps – early fur traders who worked closely with Native American tribes – including the Meskwaki people of Johnson County. More details here. Jo brought from her home in Arkansas a treasure trove of family heirlooms from the Phelps family and we displayed them at the State Historical Society Research Center in Iowa City on Friday, September 2.
Now – all of us can spread the word about Remembrance Park to our friends and neighbors in Johnson County. Encourage them to check out our website and pay a visit to the Park – it’s there for YOU to enjoy!
THANK YOU to all of you in being a part of this special historical work!
Parking is available along Sand Road – Bring your own lawn chairs!
All are invited to join us on Labor Day, September 5, 2022, at 10:30 am for the dedication of Remembrance Park – located at the corner of Sand Rd. and Napoleon St., south of Iowa City. After the unveiling of landmark plaques, there will be several groups of musicians including a Meskwaki festive dance. Remembrance Park is devoted 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. Click here for more info.
As part of our Remembrance Park Dedication Weekend – drop by the State Historical Center, meet Marybeth Slonneger – author of Remembrance Park, and see some of the rare family heirlooms from the Phelps family, brought here for one day only by our friend, Jo Kelly – a relative of William & Sumner Phelps – fur traders who worked closely with Native American tribes – including the Meskwaki people of Johnson County. More details here.
Word of mouth, quite honestly, is the best form of marketing & promotion. We are so thankful for, but, there’s so much more work to do. You can help by sharing our Remembrance Park story with friends and neighbors. We are particularly interested in reaching young people in Johnson County, and those who represent the rich diversity of our county. Anything you can do to spread the message of Remembrance Park will be greatly appreciated.
We hope to see you soon! Thank you for journeying with us.
Parking is available along Sand Road – Bring your own lawn chairs! We are presently working on our one-hour program – believing our day will be a true representation of the rich diversity found in our Johnson County heritage – honoring the Meskwaki people, the African-American presence, and the earliest American fur-traders that brought everything together in the 1830’s.
All are invited to join us on Labor Day, September 5, 2022, at 10:30 am for the dedication of Remembrance Park – located at the corner of Sand Rd. and Napoleon St., south of Iowa City. After the unveiling of landmark plaques, there will be several groups of musicians including a Meskwaki festive dance. Remembrance Park is devoted 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. Click here for more info.
As part of our Remembrance Park Dedication Weekend – drop by the State Historical Center, meet Marybeth Slonneger – author of Remembrance Park, and see some of the rare family heirlooms from the Phelps family, brought here for one day only by our friend, Jo Kelly – a relative of William & Sumner Phelps – fur traders who worked closely with Native American tribes – including the Meskwaki people of Johnson County. More details here.
Word of mouth, quite honestly, is the best form of marketing & promotion. We are so thankful for, but, there’s so much more work to do. You can help by sharing our Remembrance Park story with friends and neighbors. We are particularly interested in reaching young people in Johnson County, and those who represent the rich diversity of our county. Anything you can do to spread the message of Remembrance Park will be greatly appreciated.
We hope to see you soon! Thank you for journeying with us. Until next time…
Lots of exciting pieces of news surrounding the development of Remembrance Park – a wildflower park on a small piece of land – set aside so that it will be remembered what an earlier generation of Johnson County residents did here a long time ago…
Iowa City Artist Jo Myers-Walker created four amazing watercolors for us – depicting early Johnson County and John Gilbert’s Trading Post – site of Johnson County’s first business meeting. See Jo’s beautiful website here and check out her blog!
Word of mouth, quite honestly, is the best form of marketing & promotion. We are so thankful for, but, there’s so much more work to do. You can help by sharing our Remembrance Park story with friends and neighbors. We are particularly interested in reaching young people in Johnson County, and those who represent the rich diversity of our county. Anything you can do to spread the message of Remembrance Park will be greatly appreciated.
That’s enough for now. We will keep you informed in future newsletters and look to hear from you as you share with us your creative ideas. Thank you for journeying with us. Until next time…
It’s now official! Mark both events on your Labor Day weekend calendar!
Join us at Remembrance Park – Johnson County’s newest historical site – for our Dedication Ceremony. We will gather here on Labor Day 2022 -September 5 – to remember our rich heritage – celebrating the great diversity found within our history – plus we will look forward with one another – offering ourselves for the common good for all people.
Also – join us for…
Wed-Thu-Fri – Aug 31 – Sept 1 & 2 – 11 am to 1:30 pm
State Historical Society Research Center – 402 Iowa Avenue – Iowa City
In this first issue – we want to update you on just a few of the exciting pieces of news surrounding the development of Remembrance Park – a wildflower park on a small piece of land – set aside so that it will be remembered what an earlier generation of Johnson County residents did here a long time ago…
Recently, we had the honor of meeting Wayne Pushetonequa – Director of the Meskwaki Language Preservation (MLP) Program. Wayne has graciously provided us with a vision statement written in the Meskwaki language (see below)….
As you probably know, Our Iowa Heritage includes many rich traditions from the Meskwaki people and you simply can’t tell the story of Johnson County without including the amazing contribution of the proud Meskwaki tribes who tended this land long before white fur traders and settlers came here in the 1820’s and 30’s. Our big thank you to Wayne and the entire Meskwaki Tribe for this generous gift! You can read more about the MLP program here.
Editor’s note: It’s believed that the Iowa River channel has moved further westward than where it was in the 1820’s-30’s – thus the above map (above-red x) approximates the location of today’s Remembrance Park – about 1/2 mile east of the present day Iowa River channel.
Located near the intersection of Sand Road and Napoleon Road (see map below), Remembrance Park is a triangular tract of farmland (less than an acre) generously set aside by the owner – who chooses to remain anonymous. We plan to add a historical marker to the site and would love to have your generous contributions toward that effort. The land owner has already placed a large chunk of Iowa River limestone near one of the trees on the land (see pic below). This piece of limestone came from a field located very near the spot where Sumner Phelps’ trading post was first built!
We are working diligently to pull together all the necessary details for a dedication ceremony of Remembrance Park – to be held hopefully in the late summer 2022. It’s our desire to involve a good number of local and state-wide contacts – all of whom can join in the celebration of the great diversity found in our Johnson County history. More details are coming soon!
Word of mouth, quite honestly, is the best form of marketing & promotion. We are so thankful for:
But, there’s so much more work to do. You can help by sharing our Remembrance Park story with friends and neighbors. We are particularly interested in reaching young people in Johnson County, and those who represent the rich diversity of our county. Anything you can do to spread the message of Remembrance Park will be greatly appreciated.
Do you have a copy of Marybeth’s book? This beautiful volume has a limited printing and it makes a wonderful gift for those who appreciate our rich heritage here in Iowa. Learn more here.
That’s enough for now. We will keep you informed in future newsletters and look to hear from you as you share with us your creative ideas. Thank you for journeying with us. Until next time…
Remembrance Park - Johnson County 