BOONE, Iowa—The Boone County Historical Society held their Grand Re-Openings for the Historical Center and the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace Saturday.  Warm weather may have slowed some from attending but those on hand were enthusiastic for the opportunity.

The Historical Center was re-opened first with a ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. in the lower level.  Boone Mayor John Slight was on hand and told the group that their efforts are appreciated given the difficult position they’re in.  Shirley Walrod delivered a powerpoint presentation that reviewed issues facing the Society.  Lack of operating funds, the endowment that depleted, a lawsuit that is still pending which makes it difficult to secure funds through the city and county.  She said the new board, which was not involved in the decisions or lawsuit of the previous board is committed to “Protect, Celebrate, Preserve our Heritage”.

Boone Mayor John Slight cuts the ribbon during the Historical Centers Grand Re-opening. Free tours were available following the ceremony.

The Grand Re-opening of the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace followed late Saturday morning and several additional supporters of the Birthplace were on hand.  Recently trained docents were available for tours.  There are additional plans for other improvements at the Birthplace, but quite a bit of works remains.  At the same time, several pieces of the collection need to be returned to History Colorado, owners of the loaned pieces.  Since they are actual owners of the loaned pieces they have demanded that they be returned at a cost to the Society of $18,000.  A demand that Society can not meet at this time.

A new feature at the Birthplace is a recording of Mamie Doud Eisenhower visiting Page Elementary School students in 1971.  The audio recording was provided by Liz Barstad Albrecht, whose students were visited by Mamie.

Left to right: Mike Waterbury, President of the Historical Society Board, Boone Mayor John Slight, Liz Barstad Albrecht and Joan Hamilton, Director of Docents for the Birthplace.

The Historical Society is hoping to have more regular hours and opportunities for the public to visit either the Birthplace of the Historical Center, but they still say they have a long way to go.  More volunteers are needed.  More fund raising is needed and more memberships need to be restored.