Pella Historical Society is closing in on their fundraising goal for needed renovation projects, and they are asking the community for support as they look to complete the drive.

Executive Director Valerie Van Kooten says the board at Pella Historical Society and Museums is close to raising $2.5 million to renovate its historical buildings and re-
vamp the empty lot next to the Scholte House. As of this week, they are at 97 percent of their goal, still needing to raise about $60,000.

The three major projects that Forging Our Future will finance include: major restoration work at the Scholte House, a total rehabilitation of the Wyatt Earp House, and the creation of a garden on the northwest corner of the square next to the Scholte House.

During the campaign’s “quiet phase,” several local companies and foundations made lead gifts. Some of these include:
The Vermeer Charitable Foundation and individual family members: $810,000
Pella Corporation Shareholder Family: $750,000
Precision Pulley & Idler: $150,000
Mark and Kay De Cook, $100,000
Jaarsma Bakery: $50,000
Marion County Bank: $50,000
Lely North America: $30,000
Pella Community Foundation: $30,000
Pella Garden Club: $25,000
Pella Concrete Contractors: $25,000
Scholte and Lautenbach Houses Trust: $25,000
Fred and Sandy Kreykes: $25,000
Mark and Lori Ellingson: $25,000
Rich and Mary Glendening: $25,000
Sandy Heerema: $25,000

“We are so thankful to those organizations and individuals who have stepped in to help us preserve our past,” says Van Kooten. “The work has already begun, and we’re starting to see the results immediately.”

For more information about Forging Our Future, contact Van Kooten at (641) 628-1541 or go to pellahistorical.org.