The State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) announced Thursday it awarded 32 Historical Resource Development Program (HRDP) grants totaling $626,275 to 30 organizations and individuals across Iowa for historic preservation, museum and documentary collections projects.

The HRDP, which is funded by the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Act passed by the Iowa General Assembly in 1989, provides grants to preserve, conserve, interpret and educate the public about historical resources. The grant awards announced require organizations to supply matching funds.

The SHSI also awarded five 2009 HRDP/Country School grants totaling $22,125 for the preservation of one- or two-room buildings once used as country schools in Iowa. These awards were granted to projects in Clay, Benton, Boone, Grundy and Marion counties.

In Clay County, the city of Spencer was awarded $5,000 for work to occur on the Freeman Township Country Schoolhouse project. The grant funding, along with a $2,500 match in cash and $2,570 in in-kind donations, will be allocated for work on an entryway ceiling, resanding of the building's floor, installation of a brick sidewalk, interior window treatments, the purchase of school books, installation of a flag pole and spotlight, work to the building's exterior, landscaping, placement of a sign on the school, and the purchase, repair and installation of blackboards in the one-room country schoolhouse.

The former country school, which was moved in the fall of 2004 to its current site near the Spencer Family Aquatic Center, is currently supported by the community's Kiwanis clubs through cash and in-kind assistance. Work is anticipated to be completed on the building this fall.

Of the 19 historic preservation projects awarded HRDP/REAP grants, the Newell Historical Society in Buena Vista County received $9,400 for the preservation of the Newell Allee Mansion. This preservation effort will include painting the exterior of the 1891 Queen Ann Allee Mansion the 13 colors of an authentic Victorian color scheme. Home to the Newell Historical Society, it is a museum interpreting a Victorian lifestyle and the history of the community.