All but a few of the buildings moving to the new Heritage Village site have made the journey across town. Twelve buildings representing centuries of local history are in place at the new site in western Sioux Center. Two chicken coops have been moved to a temporary location until the Heritage Board selects a spot for them at the new site.
“This past week, Berghorst moved the Klein House, the schoolhouse, the little red barn, and the telephone office,” said Monty Prins, chairman of the Heritage Board, updating the City Council on the move. The board is working toward hosting a fall Harvest Festival at the new site, he added.
Most of the buildings have been moved by Berghorst and Son, of Hull. The Heritage Board and local volunteers also moved three. Berghorst and the volunteers plan to move three more. Only a machine shed building and the sod hut are not making the move. Prins said the board plans to rebuild the sod hut and asked for council support to build a replacement machine shed because it is too wide to fit through railroad crossings.
At the new site, Berghorst is setting the buildings in place. Stan and Linda Prins, who are doing the majority of the construction work at the new site, will be attaching buildings to their foundations.
Monty Prins shared the Heritage Board’s future plans, including building a new museum, rebuilding Doc’s Café and installing a gazebo and town square walkway. The museum will be a significant project, Prins said, adding that the Heritage Board is forming a museum planning subcommittee, which will draw in other community members.
“We’re going to bring in different people and insight, and it gives people a chance to see what goes on and involve them in Heritage Village,” Prins said. “It also allows other Heritage Board members to keep going with setting the displays back up in our buildings.”
Prins recognized Larry Te Grotenhuis for more than 15 years of leadership as Heritage Board chairman. Prins stepped into the leadership position this year, and Te Grotenhuis will continue serving on the Heritage Board. Mayor David Krahling thanked them and the Heritage Board for their efforts.
“Thank you for your continued work,” Krahling said. “I’ve heard lots of positive comments and people participating, wanting to get involved.”
Photo submitted