JEFFERSON, Iowa, Sept. 13, 2016 — A second “Historical Plaque Walk” will be held on Sunday, Sept. 18, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Greene County Historical Museum here. This walk will actually be called the “Historical Plaque Nominee Walk,” because it will feature seven nominees to be honored eventually with bronze plaques on the brick pillars around the downtown square. Last year’s first walk featured 10 other people or events of note in Greene County history, and their stories are now told in plaques on the pillars.
An opportunity for the second round of nominations was available to the public through the end of June, and seven were received.
Those being portrayed during the walk Sunday afternoon include Iowa Supreme Court Justice Elma Gates Albert, legendary journalist Victor Hugo Lovejoy, Beta Tau Delta charitable sorority, the entrepreneurial early business Milligan Brothers Lumber Grain & Coal, circus promoter Yankee Robinson, Spring Lake county park, and early educator Azor Mills.
Each nominee will be portrayed by area residents costumed for the part.
The Jefferson Matters: Main Street program received a Greene County Community Foundation grant for $1,600, the cost of one plaque. So, following the Historical Plaque Nominee Walk, those who’ve heard the stories are invited to return to the Greene County Historical Society for free refreshments and to vote for the nominee that should receive this first plaque. Another plaque honoring one of the nominees, Milligan Brothers Lumber Grain & Coal, is being financed by John and Kathy Milligan, of Jefferson, descendants of the Milligan brothers. Plaques for the other new nominees will be made and posted as funding becomes available.
The nominees and actors portraying them on Sunday are as follows:
Victor Hugo Lovejoy – Darren Jackson.
Spring Lake – Jean Van Gilder.
Milligan Brothers Lumber, Grain & Coal – Don Van Gilder.
Justice Elma Gates Albert – Alan Robinson.
Azor Mills – Rob Hoyt.
Yankee Robinson – Andrew McGinn.
Beta Tau Delta sorority – Cassie Dozier and Anita Van Horn.
This event is co-sponsored by Jefferson Matters: Main Street’s promotion committee and the Greene County Historical Society. It will be a part of “Fall Fest” on the square, with activities throughout the afternoon.
