OTTUMWA — The City of Ottumwa Historic Preservation Commission will host the first Ottumwa Historic Preservation Awards from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday May 8, 2024 at Central Park.

May is National Historic Preservation month. As the highlight of Preservation Month in Ottumwa, the Preservation awards will recognize the contributions of Ottumwans who have made a lasting impact on preserving buildings downtown. The event will feature a live musical performance by The Chickadees and Papa Zachy’s food truck will have shashburgers available for purchase. After the awards program, guests are encouraged to join Commission Chair Molly Naumann for a guided walking tour of the four historic buildings that surround Central Park: the Ottumwa Public Library, the Wapello County Courthouse, St. Mary’s Church and the Federal Building (City Hall).

“Historic Preservation Month is about celebrating people saving places,” said Naumann. “This year, we want to use Preservation Month as an opportunity to bring the community together for a fun evening to socialize and celebrate the contributions of the people working to save critical historic resources in Ottumwa.”