![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 :641-628-2935
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
- Preserve Pella 2019; Volume 27 August 19, 2019
- Preserve Iowa Summit 2019 July 19, 2019
- Christian Opportunity Center Friends Visit Tuttle Cabin July 12, 2019
- Pella’s Webster Schools; Consigned to History June 11, 2019
- Historic Pella Trust Tulip Time 2019 May 6, 2019
- South Pella’s Amazing Boomtown Days April 16, 2019
- $1000 Walmart Grant for Tuttle Learning Walk April 16, 2019
- Des Moines Valley Railroad April 8, 2019
- South Pella’s Flour Mills April 8, 2019
- A Place To Call Home; by Rachel Line and Sallie DeReus February 13, 2019
New: Donate Online!
In the News and Events
Advanced Dutch Language Class
With Carol Hoeksema
Beginners classes on Thursdays from 130 to 3 and 7 to 830 Starting on Sept 26th – October 31.
Advanced class on Tuesdays, at 530pm and 7pm. Starting September 24th- October 29. The book pictured is only needed in the advanced class. 
Your financial Support is needed to build the Tuttle Learning Walkway!
We are excited to introduce the Tuttle Learning Walkway in partnership with the City of Pella! The walkway will provide an educational experience using signage, instructional capsules and landscaping to offer historical insights and information regarding Pella’s early history.
Historic Pella Trust has committed to raise 100% of the funds needed for the project so that no tax dollars will be involved. The Learning Walk will utilize a vacated city alleyway beside Tuttle Cabin that leads north to Sunken Garden Park.
https://historicpellatrust.org/learning-walkway/
Historic Rock House for sale
1401 University Street
Consider living in our historic rock house built by stone mason Dick VanLoon in the late 1800’s. Four rooms on the main floor and a loft, perfect size for one person. Located on a large double lot with room for growing, gardening and enjoying country living on the edge of Pella. Listed through Home Realty. This home would make a lovely airbnb. It is located on the bike path and close to Central College. The rock house is on the National Register of Historic Places and is eligible for tax credits and historic building grants.
Our Facebook news feed is available to our viewers even if you are not a member of Facebook; you can view the post below by clicking on the white lettering or white photo word and it will open on your browser. Please enjoy looking at our social media posts...
Historic Pella Trust on Facebook
In the past week multiple people have asked about the history of the former Kramer Shoe Store/Faux Paws building (621 Franklin Street) that is being remodeled with a new front. The current two-story building was erected in late 1949 (thus the "Anno [Year] 1949" that is embedded in the new front).
Below are two photos from a 1950 Pella Chronicle that depict both the current and former building at that site. The original one-story wood-frame building dated back to somewhere around the 1860s and housed the Flour Store of C. N. Cole for several decades, until it was sold to the partnership of Bakker and Rus in 1942. -BB
Doors will open at 6pm tonight; Pella Opera House, 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting and Dave Baker presentation!
Everyone Is Welcome - You Do Not Need To Be A Member To Attend. The table decorations for the 25th Annual meeting will be a treat for those who love train history. We are fortunate to be allowed to feature a collection of antique train lanterns for centerpieces along with the history behind them! The meeting and presentation will be at 6:30pm, Thursday evening, October 10th. at the Pella Opera House. Come to find out how HPT is helping to preserve historic Pella. We appreciate your financial support through memberships and donations... Preservation is possible through education and protection of our valuable historic buildings and craftsmanship. Please help us protect historic Pella for future generations. Hoping I have a chance to visit with many of you at the celebration. I believe you will really enjoy Dave Baker's presentation, "The Other Side of the Tracks". A huge thank you to our supporters, respectfully, Jennifer VanKooten, Executive Director, HIstoric Pella Trust
Please join us for the Historic Pella Trust 25th Annual Meeting; Pella Opera House; Thursday Oct. 10 at 6:30 PM.
Dave Baker Presentation "The Other side of the Tracks"
www.pellachronicle.com/news/historic-pella-trust-to-celebrate-th-anniversary/article_ef4f6b80-e3b...
Historic Pella Trust to celebrate 25th anniversary
In 1994, a group of concerned citizens formed Historic Pella Trust to advocate for preserving the original Lincoln School.Please join us for Dave Baker's Presentation; The Other Side of the Tracks: The Railroad, Manufacturing, and Industry that Built Pella at the Turn of the 20th Century along with Historic Pella Trust's 25th Annual Meeting. Thursday, October 10, 2019 - 6:30 PM, at the Pella Opera House. Your free will donation would be greatly appreciated! We have two projects designated for this event; to build the Tuttle Learning Walk or replacing the roof on the historic home at 222 Oskaloosa Street.
Pete Van Zante Garage in the late 1940's and 1950's; Riley's Sinclair Station on the corner of Main and Oskaloosa St. Pella
Take a ‘step’ back in time and see what Pella history has been (literally) unearthed!
Construction at the site of Pella’s original Webster School, located at the northeast corner of Broadway and Peace streets, recently brought these cement steps back to light. These steps once belonged to the first Webster School that was constructed in 1875 - and razed in 1952 when the new Webster School (now also razed) replaced it.
Some wonderful history: These steps date to 1905 when the school was rather extensively remodeled, including combining five basement rooms into one, in order to house Pella’s first kindergarten. Get this: a portion of the basement had originally been designed to house the school’s janitor and his family, “but the rooms were soon found to be too damp and altogether too unsanitary for living purposes”. Pity the poor janitor and his family that once tried to live there!
To rectify this situation in 1905 earth was removed from the outside of the building and additional and larger windows were installed in the basement so that it was “put into a strictly sanitary condition” to house Pella's first kindergarten. The Pella Chronicle stated: “As soon as men and [horse] teams can be secured for the work the dirt will be taken away from all around the school building to the depth of the basement windows…. When complete the present property will be greatly changed in appearance and will be much more adapted to the needs of the school than it has ever been before.”
The attached photos show Webster School as it appeared both before and after the excavation for the kindergarten room. The Historic Pella Trust never knows when history will give us a chance to fulfill our mission statement: “To preserve and promote buildings, sites and landscapes important to the heritage of Pella, Iowa”. It's too late to preserve this gem, but we can still promote it. Enjoy Pella's history! -BB
More than a century before Twin Peaks became a popular TV show in the early 1990s, it was a popular, early style of architecture in Pella. If you know where to look there are still some examples in existence. Look for twin peak homes on Washington, Franklin and Liberty Streets. This home, which likely dates to the 1870s, is being lovingly renovated at 502 Washington Street, thanks to owners Duane and Laura Meyer. It is one of the 50 oldest buildings remaining in Pella. Last year this gem got a new roof and this year it's getting a new coat of paint, along with other work. It still sports its original wood siding, and if you look close you can still spy the rare "fish scale" siding accents beneath the twin peaks. Yeah, the Historic Pella Trust notices preservation efforts, and we applaud you! Next time you're out, see what other twin peak homes you can find in Pella. (Note: There are also a few "single peak" homes, too.) -BB
Historic Pella Trust Celebrating 25 Years
Historic Pella Trust Celebrating 25 Years
Historic Pella Trust is celebrating 25 years as a historic preservation organization this fall. Director Jennifer Van Kooten says they will recognize the milestone at their annual meeting on Thursday,...The morning of June 9th contractors interested in building the Tuttle Learning Walk were invited to meet and see the location. Kim Mulch, Chandler Nunnikhoven, Jeanette Vaughn, Duane Rempe, Bob Zylstra and Jennifer VanKooten were present to answer questions the contractors had about the project. Bids are due on the project Sept. 20th.
