Keokuk dam museum fundraiser set for Sunday

Julie Peitz Nickell, The Hawk Eye
·2 min read

KEOKUK — Local residents can help with repairs to the Keokuk-Hamilton Dam Museum through an auction scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Lake Cooper Foundation, 810 Main St.

The museum at 428 Main St., Keokuk, showcases the construction of the power plant and Lock and Dam 19 — considered to be an engineering marvel — from the time the idea was conceived until the completion in 1913, and features a virtual video tour of the current interior.

About 1,500 workers from 27 countries labored for three years building the powerhouse and dam with its 119 spillways, first clearing land on the Illinois side.

"We have pictures of some of those workers working," said Kathy Asbury, museum board president, who was employed at the electric company in Keokuk for more than 36 years.

Known as a “run-of-river” plant, Ameren's Keokuk Energy Center uses the natural energy of falling water to generate electricity, powering about 75,000 homes.

The museum that normally pays homage to the greatest water development project of its time has been closed since August.

Concerned that a condemned, three-story brick building two doors down slated to be demolished by the end of this year could collapse and damage the museum's contents, officials moved all display materials to storage in August and announced the closure on social media, Asbury explained.

In the meantime, the auction will raise money for needed repairs, including fixing cracks and tuck-pointing the exterior. Tuck-pointing will cost $100,000, according to Asbury. Money also is needed for utilities and general building maintenance.

Ameren has donated a turbine to the museum that will need to be moved onto a specially constructed base in Estes Park across from the museum.

Asbury said the museum board likely will decide to move back in this month and reopen the facility.

This year, "from May to August, we had visitors from 25 states and three foreign countries. (The museum) is a popular place and we hate to turn people away. We are hoping to get back in as soon as we can," she said.

Keokuk-Hamilton Dam Museum started as America's First Great Dam Museum — a series of photographs and historic documents on display in Keokuk's River City Mall, until a men's clothing store at 428 Main St. shuttered, causing that building to be available.

The museum survives through grants and donations.

Checks may be sent to: Keokuk-Hamilton Dam Museum, 428 Main St., Keokuk, Iowa 52632.

Asbury said the museum reopening will be announced on the Keokuk-Hamilton Dam Museum Facebook page and website.

Items up for bid at Sunday's auction include:

  • Overnight stays

  • Restaurant gift certificates

  • Christmas baskets

  • Paintings

  • Boat ride

  • Dinners

Dan Sullivan will be the auctioneer. There also will be a silent auction. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served.

This article originally appeared on The Hawk Eye: Keokuk dam museum fundraiser set for Sunday