Mathias Ham Historic Site Named People's Choice Site of the Year

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (April 4, 2019) — The Mathias Ham Historic Site has been named the Silos and Smokestacks "People's Choice Site of the Year." The Grout Museum District in Waterloo and Brucemore in Cedar Rapids were both honored as being one of the top-three sites. "The Mathias Ham Historic Site is a unique and interesting place to visit," said Silos and Smokestacks Executive Director Cara Miller. "It gives visitors a great perspective of what early lead-mining was like in Iowa. It's a very deserving site for this honor." Each year, Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) celebrates the best in heritage-development by presenting the "People's Choice Site of the Year". Voted on by the public, this special honor is presented to only one deserving SSNHA Partner Site. "The greater Dubuque area has always displayed great dedication and support to the Mathias Ham Historic Site," said Kurt Strand, President & CEO of Dubuque County Historical Society. "We are appreciative of both the community's votes for the Ham Site as People's Choice honoree and of our strong partnership with Silos & Smokestacks and its program partners throughout the entire national heritage area."  The complete list of 2019 nominees includes: Brucemore, Cedar Rapids Carrie Lane Chapman Catt Girlhood Home, Charles City Fossil & Prairie Park Preserve Center, Rockford Grout Museum District, Waterloo Heartland Museum, Clarion Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids Mathias Ham Historic Site, Dubuque The Sawmill Museum, Clinton Wagaman Mill & Museum, Lynnville Wapsipinicon Mill Museum, Independence Public-voting ran March 18-22 with more than 6500 total votes. The Mathias Ham Historic Site was announced as the winner, with 43 percent of the votes, on April 1 during SSNHA's Partner Site Annual Training at Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. The mission of Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area is to preserve and tell the story of American agriculture — past, present, and future. Visit one of SSNHAs 119 partner sites throughout Northeast Iowa to learn more about the history of farming or to experience the new and amazing innovations in the agriculture industry. Or, explore Iowans as leaders in agriculture in Silos and Smokestacks' traveling exhibit, "It Takes An Iowan." For more information, visit www.silosandsmokestacks.org.