March 28, 2024

Downtown celebration planned for National Historic listing

Fred Chabot of the Newton Historic Preservation Commission on Tuesday requested the use of the Jasper County Courthouse and its grounds from the Jasper County Board of Supervisors for a public celebration of Newton’s historic downtown being listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The event would take place June 13 and will include photo displays, presentations on yesteryear Newton, tours and actors portraying historic Newton citizens.

“The best place to have this celebration in the commission’s estimation is the Jasper County Courthouse because of the historical nature of the building,” Chabot said.

He requested the use of the first floor rotunda for the Get to Know Newton’s downtown photo display along with refreshments at the end of the event. The large courtroom will be used for a presentation titled “An 1884 Retrospective on Downtown Newton” by Larry Hurto with an overview of the National Register significance given by Alexa McDowell.

A downtown history will be told by historic Newton citizens, as portrayed by Newton Community Theatre actors and tours of the courthouse will also be given during that time.

Tents will also be on the courthouse lawn with several local organizations displaying information including the Historic Preservation Commission, The Newton Alumni Association and possibly Newton Main Street. If it were to rain, the booths would move into the courthouse.

Chabot questioned the board if they could provide tables for the photo displays, if a projection screen would be available to use and if a custodian would be available during the event. He also asked if the Alumni Association could sell memberships and if Newton Main Street could take donations for the design project it is working on. Auditor Dennis Parrott said he thought all of the requests could be filled and that the organization could take memberships and donations.

“I think it’s a great community event and I think that is why we do what we do here,” Supervisor Dennis Stevenson said.

The board will take formal action on the request at a future meeting.

In other business:

• The DOT budget was approved by the board.

• Gail Mills was hired as a Third Cook Substitute for Congregate Meals at a pay rate of $9.77 starting March 18.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com