Ringsted Community Improvement Organization Incorporated

The story of Ringsted, Iowa is very similar to stories of other small, rural towns across our country's Heartland.  In the past 40 years, small manufacturing plants have closed, the population in these small towns has diminished, and basic services have been cut.  Public school districts have had to combine, leaving communities with empty or no school buildings, once the life of each town.

In 2015 a group of interested residents participated in a "Community Visioning Project" with Iowa State University and "Trees Forever."  This community led visionary process empowered a core steering committee to conduct community assessments, brainstorm projects based on needs, prioritize projects in a master plan, and begin implementing the master plan.  The master plan/feasibility study is available upon request.  One outstanding element that was revealed during this process is that Ringsted's history and heritage is a crucial identity of the community.  Another realization was the importance of youth to Ringsted and the need to provide opportunities that capitalize on the asset we have plenty of......experienced mentors and adults that form the foundation for inter-generational learning.  And finally, the core group realized that it was very important to revitalize the financial stability of the area and draw prospective newcomers to our town.  This can only be done by everyone working together!

The group formed a 501(c)3 organization which would allow us to seek and secure grants.  We started with small projects to let the townspeople know we were active.  We made minor park improvements for the children's playground area, and bought and displayed new banners which reflect the Danish culture so unique to our City.  We planned and built a t-ball diamond for young children and secured a concession stand building for their games. We began simple beautification projects which benefited all.  Most significantly, we decided to capitalize on the Danish culture of this community and the importance of this heritage to not only our history, but also to our future.  The town was officially incorporated in 1899, a few years after Danish immigrants began to arrive in Emmet County and settle.  These immigrants form another piece of Iowa's settlement story, a story rich in personal sacrifice, unexpected hardships and many opportunities.  The early settlers of Iowa paved a way for all of us living here to appreciate and applaud their efforts.  By preserving the town's heritage, we will be able to tell this story to many more Iowans.  The Danish culture weaves a rich tapestry of appealing storytelling, folk dancing, the importance of physical exercise and fitness, native foods and fashion, and many traditions brought from the "old country" that are still observed today.  

We were given the deed to a vacant building which originally housed the First Presbyterian Church.  This church was moved over 7 miles across frozen fields in the winter of 1902-1903 from an adjoining small town, Seneca.  The moved was accomplished using a team of 24 horses and 3 bobsleds.  During the last part of the journey, which took two weeks, the building was actually slid down Jack Cat Creek east of town before it was taken to its present site.  We realized it was a perfect building to house a cultural museum, and we began our fundraising in earnest in the winter of 2019-2020.  The building was in sad repair, and required an initial fundraising campaign to raise approximately $30,000 to remove mold and asbestos from the structure.  That has been completed and we are continuing to seek funds for a new HVAC system and interior restoration.  One of the highlights of this museum will be a dedicated room to help us build on not only the Danish history prevalent in our town but also other cultures and heritages as well.  This room will feature state-of-the-art technology tools to help individuals and groups learn in real time, to see and give demonstrations highlighting local cultures, culinary arts, mentoring programs and as a gathering place for coffee and community socialization.  It will by definition be the center of our community and a catalyst for change and betterment.  It will go beyond a repository of our heritage and culture to build upon our past for a bright and prosperous future.  The establishment of this museum will not only draw visitors to the area, it will serve as a basis for future economic development, by helping to sustain small cottage industries complimentary to this effort, and it will also serve as an incentive for residents and businesses alike to continue to offer opportunities to sustain our little town.  

We have also been given the deed to another relevant Main Street building, one which also needs repair before it can be re-invented as an important of our home town businesses.  We will continue to seek opportunities to improve and restore our town!  "Small Town Synergy" at its finest!