Fort Atkinson Historic Fort Reopens to the Public

FORT ATKINSON, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is pleased to announce that the Fort Atkinson State Preserve is once again open to the public. The site was closed this spring to repair several of the historic structures at the preserve. "The project went well," Iowa DNR District Supervisor Detra Dettmann said. "The improvements on the building we were most concerned about, the NE Blockhouse, is especially impressive. The contractor literally disassembled part of two walls, tracked each stone that was removed, and rebuilt it, putting each stone back into its original relative position." The Friends of Fort Atkinson and the Iowa DNR are planning to host a public event to celebrate the success of the project. "Right now, we're unsure when this will be held," says Dettmann. "We may wait until closer to the annual Fort Atkinson Rendezvous, which will be held September 28 and 29." In the meantime, the public can enjoy the site on their own. Fort Atkinson Preserve is open year-round, with daily hours of 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fort Atkinson is a nationally significant military post from the 1840s that is now managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as a state preserve. The historic site includes several original buildings, such as barracks and a gunpowder house, along with archaeologically significant artifacts. The repairs were funded in part through a grant from the Save America's Treasures program, through the Historic Preservation Fund, as administered by the National Parks Service, the Department of the Interior and donations from the Friends of Fort Atkinson. To learn more, visit www.iowadnr.gov and search for Fort Atkinson Preserve. Become a part of the exclusive circle! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and gain access to special offers, bonus content and insider perks.