Fundraising for the Learning Walk is gaining momentum!
Our goal is to raise $195,000 dollars!
Historic Pella Trust has committed to raise 100% of the funds needed for the City of Pella project so that no tax dollars will be involved. The Tuttle Learning Walk joins two of Pella’s historic landmarks, the 1843 Tuttle Cabin with Sunken Garden Park providing enjoyment and education both to Pella citizens and visitors alike.
New: Donate Online!
Tuttle Learning Walk
An educational path between Sunken Garden Park and the Historic Tuttle Cabin using an existing city owned alleyway.
Historic Pella Trust has partnered with the City of Pella to build a walkway that will link the two historic landmarks.
The Trust will do fundraising for 100% of the funds needed for the project. The project is divided into several phases allowing building to start while funds continue to be raised.
Benefits:
Create an entertaining way for our children, adults and visitors to learn about Pella’s history and heritage
Connect two important historic Pella sites
Add a high-interest tourist attraction
Build a lasting tribute to the devoutness, courage and industriousness of our Dutch ancestors.
Description of Learning Walk
The walkway will focus on the early history of Pella to create an educational experience using signage and landscaping to offer historical insights and information regarding Pella’s history. Limestone outcroppings and retaining walls will represent the literal foundations of our town.
Signage will elaborate on the following topics:
- Pella Area before Europeans, the native tribes and their role
- The Tuttle couple and their farm along with the ownership history of the Tuttle Cabin
- What motivated the Dutch to leave the Netherlands and the leadership of H. P. Scholte
- Pella area when the Dutch arrived; the role of Rev. Moses J. Post, exploratory party, selection of the Pella location and acquisition of land in the early business of Pella.
- Pella and the Civil War including the influence of Rev. Scholte
- History of Sunken Garden Park, Tulip Town; Electric plant cooling pond; the businesses in the immediate area including the Buwalda Brothers, Roorda, Wisse and Lincoln School.
- The impact of the early Dutch and their heritage on Pella’s present-day culture
Plants for the Learning Walk
Bushes and Shrubs: Rose of Sharon, Gray Owl Juniper, Red Cedar Juniper, Japanese Spirea, Lilac, Fine Wine Weigela, Nearly Wild Rose, Incredible Hydrangea
Trees: Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry, Eastern Redbud
Native Prairie Grasses: North Wind Switch Grass, Indian Grass, and Little Bluestem
Wildflowers: Compass Plant, Butterfly Weed, English Bluebell, Shooting Star, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Blazing Star, Aster, White Snakeroot, Joe Pye Weed, Columbine, and Bee Balm
Perennials: Large-flowered Tickseed, Magnus Purple Coneflower, Siberian Iris, Indian Summer Black-eyed Susan, Stone Crop, Fern Leaf Peony, May Night Salvia, and Bleeding Heart
(Stock plant photos courtesy of Google Images)
Klingner Associates, P.C. designed the
Tuttle Learning Walk project.
Klingner and Associates have a branch office on the Molengracht in Pella, at 604 Liberty Street, Suite 129. The City of Pella and Historic Pella Trust was in good hands with Klingner Architectural Group. Kim Mulch, the branch manager visited with Bob Zylstra and Jennifer VanKooten at the Tuttle Cabin. Next, several of the HPT board members along with Jeanette V. and Chandler N. from the City were present at the first planning session at the Klingner office on Febuary 11, 2019. Jeremy Steenhoek was working that day, he is an engineer with this firm. His ancestor, Jan Steenhoek was the first Dutchman to live in Tuttle Cabin after the Dutch bought it from the Tuttle’s. I see this connection as extra insurance the the project is going to be wonderful for our community. Please consider helping us complete this project with your money donation, it can be online using the link above or sent to Historic Pella Trust, Box 1, Pella, Iowa 50219. Thank you!
The learning walkway connects two Pella landmarks, the Tuttle Cabin and Sunken Garden Park, using an existing city owned alleyway.
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 almost to our goal of raising $195,000. We need your help to achieve this vision.
An educational experience using signage, instructional capsules and landscaping to offer historical insights and information regarding Pella’s early history
Information included in educational signage:
Historical insights and information regarding Pella’s early history
Historic impact of the early Dutch in Pella’s present day culture and architecture
History of Sunken Garden Park (Tulip Town), The Tuttle’s and their Farm and early lifestyles
Business Donations
Midwest One
Bank Iowa
Pella Walmart
Eagle Electric
DeVries Electric
Mint and More Farm
Foundations
J.B. Dahm Foundation
Boat Foundation
Marion County Charitable Foundation
Vermeer Charitable Foundation
3M Foundation
Marion County Community Foundation
Pella Community Foundation
Rolscreen Foundation
Clubs and Groups
Pella Garden Club
Memorial Donations
In Memory of Gerrit Vander Pol
In Memory of Amy Jean (Rush) Canade
In Memory of Gene Van Wyk
In Memory of Edward G De Jong
In Memory of Shirley Boertje
