From the fort
News and updates
Follow construction on the new Welcome Center/Living History Center, watch the capital campaign progress, and read the latest news and features about the fort.
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Construction Updates
Progress on the new Welcome Center/Living History Center, step by step.
View allCampaign NewsMilestones and momentum in the $3.5 million effort.
View allHistorical ArticlesShort features on the people and events behind the fort.
View allPress ReleasesOfficial announcements for media and partners.
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Recent news
Articles and coverage from across the project, newest first. Items marked with a link open the original story in a new tab.
Glen Meller of Meller Excavating and Asphalt signs in-kind donation form to donate, load, and haul certified clay, and spread and tamp it as time allows. He also agreed to donate back the stockade posts that he had been contracted to remove in 2023. Total estimated value $420,000.
The city of Fort Madison turned over the keys to the old Fort in May.
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After much discussion, council approves 25-year lease, $250K in funding for Old Fort revival project
We held our first on-site event with limited first floor touring during the Love Lee County Road Tour weekend June 12-13. We are planning to have the site open for limited touring again for a few hours after the Charlie Corkin parade on July 4, and again after the Rodeo parade.
We have purchased an inventory system and will be conducting that this summer, sharing the information with the city, comparing it to the inventory that had been done by Dr. Eugene Watkins before his departure.
The building committee is finalizing architectural plans, and the engineer is still in the process of seeking permission from the army Corps of Engineers to proceed.
An active fundraising and grants writing committees is submitting requests to numerous sources.
Comprehensive construction and operating budgets have been developed. We are in the process of securing funding so that we can begin action. We are nearly 60% of the way toward our goal of $3.5 million.
We have a new website ready to post that will provide numerous opportunities for people to get involved, become a member, make a donation, and learn about progress.
We will launch our formal general campaign on Friday, September 25, the eve of the 218th anniversary of the building of the fort in 1808. Marketing materials that developed and plans will be shared about the event in the weeks to come.