Fort Atkinson Preserve historic fort reopen to the public
FORT ATKINSON — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is pleased to announce that the Fort Atkinson State Preserve is once again open to the public. The site was closed this spring to repair several of the historic structures at the preserve..
“The project went well,” says Iowa DNR District Supervisor Detra Dettmann. “The improvements on the building we were most concerned about, the NE Blockhouse, is especially impressive. The contractor literally disassembled part of two walls, tracked each stone that was removed, and rebuilt it, putting each stone back into its original relative position..”
The Friends of Fort Atkinson and Iowa DNR are planning to host a public event to celebrate the success of the project. “Right now we’re unsure when this will be held,” says Dettmann.”We may wait until closer to the annual Fort Atkinson Rendezvous which will be held September 28-29, 2024.”
In the meantime, the public can enjoy the site on their own. Fort Atkinson Preserve is open year-round, with daily hours of 4:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Fort Atkinson is a nationally significant military post from the 1840s now managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as a state preserve. The historic site includes several original buildings such as barracks and a gunpowder house, along with archaeologically significant artifacts. The repairs were funded in part through a grant from the Save America’s Treasures program, through the HIstoric Preservation Fund, as administered by the National Parks Service, Department of the Interior, and donations from the Friends of Fort Atkinson.
To learn more, visit www.iowadnr.gov and search for Fort Atkinson Preserve.
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