Pleasant Grove Heritage Park in Lisbon has been designated as an Emerging Site with Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA). This designation is a vital step for the ongoing preservation work and development of the land acquired by the City of Lisbon from the McElmeel family for the creation of a local heritage site.
The 15-acre park includes a large grove of mature trees, a catch-and-release pond, native prairie, and historic barns and agricultural structures. The park and surrounding area were once part of a large farmstead owned by Jacob Meyers, a prominent figure in Lisbon’s history. Meyers arrived in Lisbon in 1853, about the same time as early settlers who came from Pennsylvania, bringing with them the construction methods, farming methods, cultural traditions, and a shared heritage.
The Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is one of 62 national heritage areas in the United States, and, along with the National Park Service, is a member of the National Heritage Area System. SSNHA encompasses 37 counties in the northeastern and eastern part of Iowa, including Linn County. Other nearby Silos & Smokestacks designated sites include the Brucemore Mansion, the 1876 Coralville Schoolhouse, and the Usher’s Ferry historic village.
The mission of the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is to interpret farm life, agribusiness, and rural communities — both past and present –and thereby preserve and tell the story of American agriculture and its global significance. The Silos & Smokestacks organization helps develop local, regional, and national heritage tourism and tell the story of American agriculture. This devoted and tireless group has spent the past 30 years helping communities develop strategies for creating unique experiences catered to the specific needs of individual sites, the goal ever-present: to attract visitors to these sites so they can experience the distinctive local history they embody.
Several community groups have been collaborating on the development of the park, including the Parks & Recreation Board, Tree Board, and the Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission. These groups see tremendous benefits from partnering with Silos & Smokestacks, especially in these early planning stages of the park, and in the development of interpretative/educational media and marketing to draw in visitors. The intensive assistance from Silos & Smokestacks helps ensure the natural, cultural, and historical resources of Pleasant Grove Heritage Park are developed and managed in a manner consistent with professional preservation and interpretation standards. Affiliation with Silos & Smokestacks at the regional level and the National Park Service at the national level opens doors to additional funding opportunities in the future to help the community’s dreams for the park become realities.
As a result of this partnership, Pleasant Grove Heritage Park will be more than a community amenity to improve the quality of life for Lisbon citizens. The park will become a regional tourist attraction included in guidebooks and Silos & Smokestacks tours, drawing visitors to Lisbon who seek leisure and learning.