Mona & Dave Gates

Each board member brings different strengths, talents and abilities to the museum. Our reasons for joining are to document, protect and preserve history. We feel HCHT and the Van Allen house promote a Historical experience for Henry County and surrounding areas for present and future generations.

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David Van Allen

I did not grow up in Henry County, but my father, Maurice Van Allen did, and he drove our family down to Mt. Pleasant, from Iowa City to visit Grandma Van and Uncle George, Aunt Winnie, Nancy, Fred and Lori many times, mostly in the 1950's, 60's and early 70's. I was quite fortunate to have grown up in an extremely distinguished family and I'm proud to represent that family on the board of HCHT. The board consists of several enthusiastic and devoted history buffs and proud Henry County residents. I consider the Henry County museum & the Van Allen house museum to be two of Mt Pleasant's cultural gems.

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Pat White

I've been a member of the board since 2007- the beginning of the Henry County Heritage Trust. Mount Pleasant and our county have such a wealth of history and it's so important that the stories of the people, the artifacts and the records of that history be saved and shared. I want to be a part of that continuing process.

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Waunita Gibbons

I am a Saunders School Alumna, having attended it for grades one through six. It is enjoyable to come here and revisit the rooms and remember so many experiences. Hosting Saturday tours enables me to share this lore and proudly discuss so much history not only of the building, but of my dear hometown, as well.

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Sheila Allender

I began my involvement with HCHT early as a volunteer performing preparatory tasks of painting and cleaning to convert the first classroom of the Saunders School into a museum with other volunteers. I became a board member in 2012 to assist with the task of fundraising. I enjoy serving on this unified board and assisting in the goals to gather, preserve and display Henry County artifacts as well as preserving both the former Saunders School building and historic Van Allen house.

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Pat Richenberger

I joined the Henry County Heritage Trust board to help preserve the past of our ancestors in Henry County. It is important to recognize what all has been accomplished for the life that we have today.

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Ken Vandevoort

I was asked to come to a meeting by Don Young and have been here ever since. My undergraduate degree is Geography and I studied under the late Dr. Harriet Heusinkveld at Central College. She was also the author of several Iowa books, many of which were in Don Young's personal library. My approach to history of an area is (1) why did they come here, (2) how did they get here and (3) what did they do after they got here?