As people drive by the Greene County Historical Museum in Jefferson, they might notice some activity on the storefront.

Historical Society Co-Director Mike Piepel says their facade is being re-done due to an issue they had and the process they went through before construction could begin on the 1914 structure.

“And so we need major renovation through our windows, we’re having some water damage come in. And so, what the state did through the Main Street (of Iowa) is they put a design together for us with an estimated amount that would help us to complete this whole new facade.”    

The Jefferson City Council approved the full request from the facade grant application of $41,100 on May 13th, after design concepts were submitted by Main Street Iowa, which is one of the stipulations in the grant application. City Administrator Scott Peterson says that because  the museum was in the Historic Main Street District, they were allowed to utilize Main Street Iowa design consultants and apply for the facade grant. 

Piepel describes what the new facelift will look like, including a large sign on top of the entrance.

“And there will be eight new windows through the doorway, there will be a different design. The bricks will stay, there’s no doubt about that, but up above the bricks what we’ll do is we’ll change the facade format of that. And we’ll make sure we cover for water too, because as you know, the water damage in some of these old buildings in the city of Jefferson is a challenge. But we just thought to plan ahead is to take care of all of this damage, we’ll change the facade front, re-do the windows, re-do the signage, and like I say, you’ll have a whole new front on it.”  

Piepel thanks the city staff and city council for their help with the project and he adds that with the facade re-construction, the museum’s exterior is fully intact, with the roof being re-done a few years ago.