Post by lotsaheight on Jan 12, 2009 12:22:06 GMT -5
On Monday, January 5th, Iowa Public Radio reported the following story that the birthplace home of George Reeves in Woolstock, Iowa is scheduled to be razed.
Iowa Public Radio audio (Jan. 5, 2009):
iowapublicradio.org/audio/iowaArchives/iowaArchives090105.mp3
As a follow up to this story, Director of the George Reeves Memorial Veronica Guyader issued the following statement:
Iowa Public Radio audio (Jan. 5, 2009):
iowapublicradio.org/audio/iowaArchives/iowaArchives090105.mp3
As a follow up to this story, Director of the George Reeves Memorial Veronica Guyader issued the following statement:
Yes, it is true that the house will be destroyed as reported by Iowa Public Radio.
The members of George Reeves Memorial decided last year that the house will be destroyed due to issues of debris flying onto neighboring properties and safety issues as trespassers continue to visit the property without proper consent.
Monies that had been raised for the home's restoration are now being used for the memorial marker that will be placed at the site. Those who have donated have been notified. Other funding for GRM with souvenirs and other items were collected for the general fund which paid for other expenses like advertising and for festivals in 2006 and 2007. We will continue to raise funds as we are in a few thousand dollars of debt from the first festival, and plan for future events especially in 2013-14. We also are talking with county tourism for signs to be erected recognizing that Woolstock is the birthplace of GR.
This week I discussed for a 3rd time with the State Historical Society about the issues concerning the house, and once again it was reiterated that they have no options that would help us. We have sought after other grants...but were not awarded any for the house. The cost to restore is much greater than the cost to rebuild...that is why we have measured the home and documented it with photos this summer. Everything from Window panes to the dimensions of the stairway have been measured.
Concerning local interest in rescuing the house...there was little to begin with. Unlike Cleveland- there is little to no support from Woolstock area officials. We have support from the county...but most are kind words of encouragement. The same goes with fans who have contacted us in the past- mostly have been words of encouragement and that is it. And those who would like to help, they do not know how they can help us and neither do we. It is so hard to get things in order from the all directions of the country. So we as GRM members discussed this greatly...and came to this conclusion.
When we started this project we were going to get all the information before we were going to make official announcements about the house being restored...but we needed help. We hoped the internet would steer us to the right people who would help us find those answers....but it did not. We continued to educate ourselves in what we could do...attending State Historical Society and Wright Co. tourism meetings, etc. The best decision we arrived at was to plan for the future when a more appropriate time would come along. When the community, the city, and other interested parties were all on the same page and want to do something about it. This is unfortunately not the time. We tried and tried. AND YES- WE'VE EXAMINED ALL OPTIONS.
I thank you for your support and concern.
Sincerely,
Veronica Guyader
Director
George Reeves Memorial
Woolstock, Iowa
