DECORAH - The main goal of the Decorah Historic Preservation Commission, formed slightly more than a year ago, is on track for the city to become a certified local government.

With that designation, according to Chairman Lyle Otte, the group can apply for grants from the Iowa State Historical Society and other agencies.

Commission members are collecting data and establishing a preliminary inventory of historic sites in Decorah needed for the designation. They are also working with Vesterheim Museum on adding a site to the National Register of Historic Places - a house believed the first frame construction home in the city.

The Morse House on North Mill Street was constructed in 1852 with 2-by-4 lumber instead of logs.

Vesterheim is interested in using an addition on the house as office space but will need clearance from the state historical society so that changes don't interfere with the structure's significance, Otte said.

The commission is also compiling a list of carpenters and trades people qualified for historic preservation projects.

The City Council established the commission in 2007. Since then, Otte said the seven-person group:

adopted a set of bylaws

consulted with Duane Fenstermann, a former professor at Luther College, about gathering information on historical sites in Winneshiek County

attended training in Des Moines on the process of listing a building on the National Register of Historic Places and sponsored a similar session in Decorah

made a presentation to the council about materials from East Side School

assembled an inventory of historically significant places in Decorah

received information about the former county jail, Grace Episcopal Church and Porter House Museum

Otte said he enjoys serving and having the opportunity to educate the community about the importance of historic preservation and its economic impact.

"It's very significant," he added.

Other commission members are Val Tindall, Kyrl Henderson, Paul Hexom, Lise Hedstrom, Birgitte Christianson and Kari Burns.

The group meets the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Decorah City Hall. The sessions are open to the public.

"We're an educational commission formed to teach people of Decorah why historically significant places make a difference in our lives," Otte said.

Contact Sarah Strandberg at

newsroom@wcfcourier.com.