![scholte house[1] (2)](https://historicpellatrust.org/historicpellatrust/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/scholte-house1-2.jpg)
The Historic Pella Trust, established in 1994, is a non-profit preservation group who helps to preserve Pella’s architectural resources so that future generations will continue to be enriched by the historic legacy of Pella’s Dutch heritage and culture. We serve in a counseling and advisory capacity regarding historically correct architecture and disseminate information regarding restoration and reconstruction of facilities.
Our Mission Statement is:
To Protect and Promote Buildings, Landscapes, and Sites
Important to the Heritage of Pella, Iowa.
Protect & Promote our Heritage
Our office is located in the oldest building in Pella, Iowa, The Thomas Tuttle Cabin Build in 1843. We do provide tours of this historic landmark.
The Trust interacts to rescue historically significant property in danger of demolition. Restoration of these properties and protection covenants are arranged by our organization. We take an active approach towards historic preservation advocacy working with local, state and national government agencies to document and preserve.
Members receive our newsletter “Preserve Pella”. Our annual meeting is in November, by tradition we honor several Pella homeowners with a Historic Landmark plaque and award during this meeting.
Contact Information
Historic Pella Trust, Inc.
Phone :641-780-9818
Email: office@historicpellatrust.org
Tuttle Log House address: 608 Lincoln Street
Mailing address: PO Box 1, Pella, Iowa 50219
Planning a visit? Please Email Historic Pella Trust
Recent Blog Posts
- Tuttle Cabin Virtual History Tour, for 2020 Second Grade Students May 18, 2020
- History of the Hose Tower at the Original Pella Fire Station March 23, 2020
- Historic Pella Trust Given The 2019 Heritage Impact Award From PACE Alliance March 23, 2020
- Pre-Construction Meeting Held for Tuttle Learning Walk March 22, 2020
- Bank Iowa Contributes Towards Tuttle Learning Walk March 19, 2020
- Historic Pella Trust Receives $15,000 Grant from Pella Corp. to Help Fund Tuttle Learning Walk January 22, 2020
- 1915 Pella Chronicle Advertisement and 1869 Pella Map Poster Fundraiser November 17, 2019
- Building a Strong Foundation; South Pella Yesterday and Today November 17, 2019
- Historic Pella Trust’s Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Celebration with Dave Baker November 14, 2019
- Herman Rietveld’s Dog Statues October 23, 2019
New: Donate Online!
In the News and Events
Tuttle Learning Walk
Phase one of the Tuttle Learning Walk is in progress! The walk has been divided into 3 phases; construction, signage, and landscaping.
Your financial Support is needed to finish the Tuttle Learning Walkway!
We are excited to introduce the Tuttle Learning Walkway in partnership with the City of Pella!
Visitors will learn about the 1843 homestead of Thomas and Nancy Tuttle and the role Rev. Moses J. Post had in helping the Dutch to acquire local the homesteads in 1847. They will gain insight on what motivated the Dutch to leave the Netherlands under the leadership of H. P. Scholte and why that still has an impact on our present-day culture. As the walkway nears Sunken Garden Park, the signage will share about the cooling pond for Pella’s first electric plant and the location for the first tulip festival. The signs will include QR codes to scan for more history and photos. The City of Pella parks department will maintain the walk that will feature a variety of heritage perennials wildflowers, native grasses and bushes along with several limestone outcroppings representing the literal foundations of our town.
Historic Pella Trust has agreed to provide 100% of the cost of Tuttle Learning Walk through local fundraising. We are close to our last quarter of the goal of raising $195,000. We need your help to achieve this vision.
Historic Pella Trust has committed to raise 100% of the funds needed for the project so that no tax dollars will be involved.
https://historicpellatrust.org/learning-walkway/
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Eunice and Davis Folkerts tell about the new rest room addition on this Marion County treasure; Coal Ridge Church. It is located on the south side of Red Rock lake by White Breast Park.
Let’s Talk Knoxville – Coal Ridge Church History and Addition Part 1
On today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville we speak with Eunice and Davis Folkerts in the first part of a two part series as they discuss the history of Coal Ridge Church as well as a recent but muchMany of you will recognize the De Haan home located on University Street south of Central College. Built in 1926 (and seen here in 1936) it has an interesting look with its hipped roof and craftsman-influenced architecture. Below it is a photo of the original De Haan home, built in 1849 by Jacob De Haan, the same year he and his family immigrated from Holland. The home(s) and surrounding land have been in the De Haan family ever since. -BB
We posted a virtual living history field trip for the homeschool and second grade students who did not get to attend our 2020 program this spring at Tuttle Cabin because of Covid 19. We were expecting 11 groups of students participating in 5-6 activities each during the 2 hour visit per group. It takes at least 7 volunteers per class group to hold this living history activity.
Dave Baker, Iowa historian, sent a video from his home and my son, Johnathon and I included it with 25 slides to hopefully give the students the feeling of coming to the field trip.
The video takes a little while to watch, just under a minute per slide. I thought I would share here on Facebook and you may enjoy some of the history as well. Hoping your time of social distancing is one of continued growth and education.
The field trip program is directed towards our heritage. Historic Pella Trusts mission is protecting the architectural buildings and sites for future generations. historicpellatrust.org/2020/05/18/tuttle-cabin-virtual-history-tour-for-2020-second-grade-students/
If you like what you see and want to see contiuned progress and educational programs from Historic Pella Trust, please consider supporting us with your membership donation.
Tuttle Cabin Virtual History Tour, for 2020 Second Grade Students - Historic Pella Trust
Historic Pella Trust has hosted a living history field trip for all local second grade students for several years. The students come to Tuttle Cabin at 608 Lincoln Street to learn about the life of th...Brickwork on the Tuttle Learning Walk is complete; They are working on the finishing touches with sand this afternoon. Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards the project. It is beautiful!
Free Tulip Bulbs! You dig, you keep! Master Gardener Duane Rempe, Chairman of the Fair Haven Memorial Garden Committee, invites you to help yourselves to all the tulip bulbs you want from any of the tulip beds at the garden, located at the NW corner of East Third and Union streets. All tulips must go in order to make way for the planting of summer flowers. Choose from any - or all - of the 12 tulip beds. He asks that you please remove the entire plant with each bulb. Enjoy!
The City of Pella took a gut punch today. For the first time in over 155 years Pella will no longer have a newspaper. The Pella Chronicle announced that it will merge with the Oskaloosa Herald and the Pella Chronicle will cease to exist with today's edition. The Pella Chronicle has been around since 1901, but the paper traces its roots back through The Pella Blade which was founded in early 1865. The Pella Blade came along when Pella was only 17 years old and oversaw Pella until today. This is truly the end of an era, one which will never be repeated. RIP Pella Chronicle. -BB
Tuttle Learning Walk construction is looking great! The concrete foundation for the walkway is complete and the brickwork on top of it is about to begin installation. It will look like the brick sidewalks in Central Park after the completion of phase 1.
Please help HPT to raise funds for Phase 2, the signs that will tell the history of the founding of Pella, Iowa.
When you invest in Historic Pella Trust you will see your money improving the historic homes in Pella. Beautiful new cedar shakes are currently being put on the roof of the Dirk Van Loon historic home on University Street. The rock house was recently purchased by the Douglas family who are lovingly restoring it. The home has a conservation easement to preserve the original exterior and the roof project was included in the purchase.
The Tulip Queen and her Court made a wonderful presentation at Sunken Garden Park this morning, the tulips are beautiful also!
Take a look at the Tuttle Learning Walk construction in the beginning of the video. The Learning walk is a Historic Pella Trust and City of Pella Project. You can learn more about the Tuttle Learning Walk at historicpellatrust.org/
