Recalling pleasant things and taking the time to dwell on them.
FHP – 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Here’s a 24-minute video that covers our Slide Presentation from the November 1st Celebration.
On Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Friends of Historic Preservation celebrated our 50th Anniversary. This page offers an overview of our special celebration held at Old Brick…
Two beautiful “birthday” cakes (above) were prepared and served at our celebration… Our FHP administrator, Meg George, her team of helpers, and FHP Board member Kay Irelan (below) all assist in our setup for the evening…
The Old Cap String Band (below) entertained us throughout the evening with some hand-clappin’ – foot-stompin’ down-home music.
Our silent auction (below) offered a large variety of items at amazingly low prices!
Tom Milligan (below) presented his entertaining and educational Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel one-man show.
And, Iowa City historian and FHP Board member Marty Boller (above) offered a brief walk through of the 50 year history of FHP.
Note: the 50 Years of FHP Slide Show is presented on this page as well…
SLIDE ONE: On May 31, 1972, Old Capitol (below left) became the very first building in Iowa City to be awarded the honor of being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the next year and a half, three other buildings were added: Plum Grove (May 7, 1973), the First Congregational Church (June 18, 1973), and the College Block Building (July 23, 1973) located at 125 E. College Street.
But, for Friends of Historic Preservation– it all starts here…On September 12, 1973, The Press-Citizen announces the fourth building in Iowa City that is added to the National Register. North Presbyterian Church (Old Brick) – better known for most of its history as First Presbyterian Church, located at 26 E. Market Street, was completed in 1865. This brick building is the second oldest commercial building in Johnson County – the oldest, of course, is Old Capitol (1841).
SLIDE TWO: Now, let’s hop forward to November 5, 1973, the Press-Citizen announces that First Presbyterian has now finalized its expansion plans by deciding to begin construction on a new building east of town at 2701 Rochester Avenue! This announcement, of course, turns up the heat on the question of what’s going to happen to this iconic & historic building once the church moves out. And, as many of you know – this question became a city-wide firestorm. You can read the full story here.
SLIDE THREE: Now, let’s fast forward to the Spring of 1975. With the new First Presbyterian church building opening up that fall, the details of a pending sale of Old Brick were finally leaked to the public. As it turns out, the church leaders had negotiated with the University, agreeing, to sell the property for only $140,000, with one of the primary terms of the contract stating that Old Brick would need to be torn down prior to the University taking possession! And, yup, you guessed it! When word got out on the streets of Iowa City about this controversial sale agreement, the battle for Old Brick was truly on. So, on June 30, 1975, a new city-wide committee was formed to battle against this sale agreement. The group took the name: Friends of the Old Brick Presbyterian Church – later simply called Friends of Old Brick (FOB) – and the July 1, 1975 and July 7, 1975 editions of the Press-Citizen describe this group’s earliest actions. You can read the full story here.
SLIDE FOUR: Many creative ideas came forth in saving Old Brick. Here’s one: Jim Juilfs – in September 1975 – re-created the famous 1848 story of Rev. Michael Hummer’s Bell in the First Presbyterian belfry. Raised $3,000. Thanks to Ethan Fox of Humming Studios LLC for bringing these 1975 photos of Juilfs back to life!
SLIDE FIVE: Nearly two years later, after many protests and court interventions, the University withdrew their plan to purchase the property. It was bought by the non-profit – Old Brick Associates and Old Brick was saved from the wrecking ball. Friends of Old Brick had done its job. You can read the full story here.SLIDE SIX: In 1988. Friends of Old Brick became Friends of Historic Preservation, and over our 50-year history, we’ve had our share of wins & losses. One example: Bluffwood Cottage – on Rochester Ave. dating back to the 1870’s – a plan to save it and move it to Hickory Hill Park in 1993 failed.
SLIDE SEVEN: In 2014, an attempt to save three iconic cottages built during the Civil War era – located in the 600 block of S. Dubuque Street – failed.
SLIDE EIGHT: But, we’ve had some pretty big wins too. FHP has played a major role in helping three Iowa City neighborhoods be recognized: Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District, Northside Historic District, and in 2004, the Jefferson Street Historic District – preventing demolition of 318 to 328 Jefferson Street.
SLIDE NINE: FHP supported “landmark” designation of the Carnegie Library. It was about to be torn down and replaced with student apartments. The owner objected so we needed 6 out of 7 City Council members to approve the plan. One City Councilor, who had not supported historic preservation in the past, said he had learned to read in that building, and he voted to save it! In the end we got 6 votes and saved the old library. You can read more here.
SLIDE TEN: In 2024/2025 – Slezak (Czech) National Hall (Pagliai’s) was saved. The Historic Preservation Commission was the applicant on the project, but they would not have accomplished their goal without Friends rallying our members and the community to show up at Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council meetings. You can read the full story here.
SLIDE ELEVEN: In 1992 – FHP coordinated this 1883 classic to be moved from 703 Bowery Street to 451 Rundell Street.
In 1995 – FHP saved 412 Church Streetcottage from demo. 900 Sq. feet – built by Czech immigrants. We purchased it, restored it, and sold it with a covenant requiring that it be owner occupied. It was slated to be torn down for an apartment building. Friends also supported zoning amendments to prevent further threats to the neighborhood.
SLIDE TWELVE: In 2016 – FHP moved Houser/Metzger House from 422 Iowa Avenue to vacant lot on 623 College Street. Watch the video below…
SLIDE THIRTEEN: In 2001, Friends purchased and restored this beauty located at 512 Church Street – built around 1910.SLIDE FOURTEEN: In 2025 – Sanxay-Gilmore House at 109 E. Market Street. Friends has long advocated for the preservation since it was first announced that the University planned to purchase it back around 2018. Just in October, the City and University have agreed to save & preserve this iconic home. Built in the early 1840’s, it’s believed to be one of the oldest remaining homes in Iowa City.
In truth, FHP has been in the news for much of our history:
In celebration of our 50th Anniversary – here’s a complete on-line publication of our 25th Anniversary Celebration booklet – 30 pages covering our FTP history from 1975 to 2000. Enjoy!
July 1, 1975 – The Iowa City Press-Ciizen announces the formation of Friends of Old Brick – a grassroots organization working toward the preservation of First Presbyterian Church.
September 11, 1975 – The Iowa City Press-Citizen publishes an article interviewing Jim Juilfs and his efforts toward the preservation of First Presbyterian Church.
April 15, 1977 – The Iowa City Press-Citizen announces that papers have been signed and the multiple-year effort to save and preserve First Presbyterian Church (Old Brick) has been successful.
November 1, 2025 – Friends of Historic Preservation (FHP) gathers in Old Brick to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.
