Sunday, June 23, at Grand Junction library
Grand Junction public library has received funding from Humanities Iowa, a private, non-profit, to host a presentation called “Off the Map: Stories of Abandoned and Disappearing Towns Around Iowa” by Rosa Snyder Sunday, June 23, at 2 pm. A cultural resource for Iowa since 1971, Humanities Iowa offers many cultural and historical programs and grants to Iowa’s communities.
“Thousands of towns and communities were established during Iowa’s pioneer and railroad era,” says Snyder. “In some instances, they were just small towns built around the time of the height of a coal industry that could not thrive while others supplemented the needs of the countless farmers, and still others were established for very different reasons.
“Many existed for a few years, some slowly faded away over time, and a few never existed except as ‘paper’ towns,” she says. “Regardless of why they originated or why they diminished, each community has its own unique story. Towns are truly windows to our past and have helped form the history of our state.
“Discovering and learning about them helps to keep their names and memories from oblivion,” she adds. “Take a tour around Iowa exploring a sampling of these idiosyncratic communities in photographs and stories.”
Snyder’s presentation will include these towns: Angus, coal mining town, Boone and Greene Counties; Bellefountain, river town, Mahaska County; Cooper, railroad town, Greene County; Herndon, railroad town, Guthrie County; Iowa Center, state capital hopeful, Story County; Mitchell, railroad town hopeful, Polk County; and Monti, religious/ethnic town, Buchanan County.
Snyder is a graduate of Iowa State University with degrees in child development, art education and interior design with additional history courses from Drake University and Iowa Wesleyan College. She taught art in Ames and worked as a design consultant and artist for the Meredith and Hearst publishing companies. In addition, she did design work for several area churches, commercial enterprises and at private residences.
After receiving an apprenticeship grant from the Iowa Arts Council, Snyder was hired as a state restoration painter, scaling 20-foot scaffolds in white bib overalls to help recreate the intricate designs hidden under layers of paint on the ceilings and walls of the Iowa State Capitol.
Snyder is the only woman in the history of the building hired for this position. After retirement, she gave tours of the building to thousands of visitors and later engaged as a “history detective” for the state and architectural firms who were restoring the building to its original grandeur. IPTV employed her as a researcher for their production of the video/DVD, “This Old Statehouse,” which covers many aspects of its history and restoration.
For the past several years, she has been researching old towns, traveling around Iowa to explore these old sites, taking photographs and interviewing people who still live in the area.
Snyder’s presentation is funded by Humanities Iowa and the State Historical Society. It is free and open the public. Persons with a disability who require special assistance are asked to call 515-738-2506 in advance.
