notice construction equipment surrounding the historic Myers Farmstead barns, but behind the fencing is a preservation effort aimed at ensuring the structures remain part of Lisbon’s landscape for generations to come.

The current phase of work focuses on stabilizing the barns’ deteriorating stone foundations, a project that park founder Steve McElmeel calls the top priority for the historic district.

“The major project is the barn stabilization,” McElmeel said. “The stone foundations were in bad shape.”

Years of weather exposure, failing mortar, and pressure from surrounding soil have weakened the foundations, creating structural concerns that must be addressed before additional restoration work can begin.

The project represents the latest chapter in McElmeel’s long-term vision for Pleasant Grove Heritage Park. In 2019, more than 15 acres of the former Meyers farm were sold to the City of Lisbon for development of what is now the 15-acre nature and heritage park. McElmeel has since become one of the driving forces behind efforts to preserve the farmstead’s historic structures and expand recreational opportunities throughout the site.

The farmstead itself traces its roots back to 1881, when Jacob and Amanda Meyers purchased the property. The family operated a diversified farm that included livestock, dairy cattle, poultry and crops. The remaining barns survived multiple severe weather events, including the 1908 tornado, the 2020 derecho and a 2023 tornado, making them among the most significant surviving agricultural structures in the area.

Preserving those buildings comes with unique challenges.

“The challenge is to restore these historic buildings so they look like they originally did, but make them better than they originally were,” McElmeel said.

The restoration effort gained additional urgency in 2024 when concerns about the barns’ condition threatened the historic district’s future. Preservation advocates worked to keep the structures standing while developing plans for rehabilitation. The Meyers Farmstead Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021 because of its significance to Iowa’s agricultural history.

For now, the Myers Farmstead area remains closed to the public. Fencing and warning signs surround the construction zone, a requirement tied to insurance coverage while restoration work is underway.

Although visitors cannot enter the work area, many stop along the roadway to observe progress.

“We find a lot of passersby stopping to check out the progress and talk to the construction crews,” McElmeel said.

Unlike many large preservation projects, much of the current work is being financed through McElmeel’s personal commitment to the project.

“When we formed the nonprofit corporation, I made a commitment that I wanted to see these barns stabilized,” he said.

While donations and grants have contributed to broader park development efforts, McElmeel said he has taken primary responsibility for funding the stabilization project.

The next phase will focus on making the barns safe and accessible for public use. Interior restoration, roof repairs and floor rehabilitation are all planned before visitors will be allowed inside.

Eventually, the buildings could serve multiple purposes, including educational programming, tours, and potentially community events. Interest is already growing among historic preservation organizations. McElmeel said the Iowa Barn Foundation has expressed interest in featuring the barns on a future statewide barn tour once restoration is complete.

“There is a lot of interest in seeing what they are, how they were constructed, and the history of them,” he said.

While the barns represent the park’s historical centerpiece, McElmeel said the broader park has quickly become a community gathering place.

The catch-and-release fishing pond draws families throughout the summer, and hammocks suspended in the large trees are rarely empty. School groups regularly visit the park, and programs such as Poetry in the Park bring students and families together outdoors.

“I love seeing mothers bringing little 4-or-5-year-olds with their fishing poles,” McElmeel said. “They’re not only fishing, they’re catching fish.”

The park’s popularity among local students has been particularly rewarding.

“We’re two blocks from the school,” he said. “When the teachers ask what they want to do, they say, ‘Go to the park.’”

As restoration work continues, McElmeel said the goal remains simple: create a lasting asset that combines nature, recreation and local history.

“What we’re trying to do is build something as a gift to Lisbon,” he said.

For McElmeel, the growing support confirms that the community values both the park and the history it preserves.

“If you build it, they will come,” he said. “And that’s what we’re seeing.”

If you want to learn more about the park, or support the efforts at the park, visit https://www.pleasantgroveheritagepark.org