CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Pictured are several of the many military-related exhibits in the CCC/POW Recreational Hall and Museum at the Hardin County Fairgrounds in Eldora. The building is the last original Civilian Conservation Corps facility in Iowa. It later served as a World War II POW camp for German and Italian soldiers. Restorers and volunteers are hosting an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday. The event is free-of-charge and open to the public.

ELDORA — The Youth to Restore CCC/POW Rec Hall and Museum is hosting a open house and ribbon cutting beginning 2 p.m. Friday on the Hardin County Fairgrounds.

The event is free-of-charge and open to the public.

“After many years of fund-raising, building improvements by volunteers and high-school students, melded with significant investments by area businesses, the Youth to Restore the CCC/POW Building is excited to host our open house and ribbon cutting sponsored by Thrivent Financial,” said Becky Rose of Conrad, who has helped coordinate the building’s extensive remodeling project.

Historical re-enactor Brian Bopp kicks off festivities with presentation of “The Foundations of the U.S. Constitution” in the Farm Bureau Shelter House.

“Bopp has been a full-time minister and dramatist since 1984,” said Rose. “Audiences enjoy his enthusiasm for history, humor, and Biblical truth. He travels the nation with a wide variety of dramatic programs.”

Bopp dramatizes five of our nation’s founding fathers and provides a critical historical perspective detailing the nature of our government.

Bobb portrays Rev. Samuel Rutherford, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Chief Justice John Marshall, and a freedom fighter. Each character represents one of five essential principles which served as the foundations of the Constitution.

At 3 p.m. is the Gene Foster Flagpole dedication and American Legion flag presentation, followed by the ribbon cutting and reception.

Rose and team have witnessed major changes to the CCC/POW building recently.

“Flooring was installed by the South Hardin Construction class of Eldora,” said Rose. “And, we have enjoyed showing guests new displays.”

Building hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The CCC/POW building is a refurbished recreational hall used initially by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the 1930s, and later, to house Italian and German POWs from 1943-45.

It is the only original CCC building remaining in Iowa.

The Youth to Restore the CCC/POW Building project is supported in part by the Barlow Family Foundation Community Challenge of 2014, and a grant from the State Historical Society of Iowa, Historical Resource Development.

For more information, contact Rose at 641-858-6290 or cccpowrechall@gmail.com.

——

Contact Mike Donahey, 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com