More of Iowa

On Saturday, we decided to head north to Spillville to see the Bily Clock Museum. The buddy couple, Al and Carol, joined us. On the way, in Festina, we visited what is claimed to be the world's smallest church.

The mother of Johann Gaertner, who was 16 when he was drafted into the French army under Napolean, promised that if he returned safely, she would build a chapel. She did not live to fulfill the promise, but years later, in 1885, his daughter and son-in-law organized the building of it, and when it was completed, it was dedicated in 1886.

At the Bily Clock Museum, I did not know what to expect! It was fabulous! Two brothers, starting in 1913, carved some fantastic clocks, the last one completed in 1958. It was a hobby they enjoyed, with Frank doing the carving and Joseph designing and drawing up the plans. Since no picture taking was allowed, we purchased the booklet with information and pictures in it. In 1928, Henry Ford offered them a million dollars for one of the clocks! It stands over eight feet tall, and is considered to be their masterpiece. It took them four years to complete. The design is a series of 57 panels representing historical events in American history.


Also in the same building was a tribute to Antonin Dvorak. Spillvillle was settled by Czech immigrants, maintaining customs and language, and while living in New York, Antonin Dvorak, world-famous musician and composer, (wrote "New World Symphony") missed the Czech lifestyle. He heard about Spillville, and came to visit during the summer of 1893. He stayed in the building that currently houses the clocks. During the time he was here, he played the 1876 Pfeffer pipe organ at St. Wenceslaus Church.

The same organ has been restored and is still being played at the church, which will be celebrating 150 years In September, 2010.

At the center of the town, there is a public square, complete with a bandstand. Built at the close of World War I, it was originally in honor of those American soldiers and sailors. It has been updated to include all through the present.

Going North, we visited the town of Decorah, touring the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

There was a lot of history depicted, stories told; including this 25' ship that two brothers sailed to America in 1933, taking four months. A miracle they made it!!

Poor Paul! Says we did too much in one day..... I guess I wore him out again!!

Sunday was another day of touristing! After church, we of course had to make a Home Depot run!! Then we had a great steak dinner to celebrate the house in Julian selling!
I had read about The Cedar Falls Historical Society Garden Tour and thought it might be fun. Cedar Falls is known as the Garden City of Iowa. There were five different homes to visit. A picture from each:
First

Yes, there is a house behind this front yard!

Third,

Fourth,

and last but not least,

Such wonderful gardens..... don't they just grow and take care of themselves? I am so motivated after seeing... but I am one of those fair weather gardeners, so we will see how my garden grows next spring!!

So that was our overloaded weekend..... back to work Monday!!!