WILLIAMSBURG
Parnell City Hall and the Parnell Tavern are sponsoring “Bring It Back To Parnell” Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Parnell Hall.
The event is a fundraiser to benefit the restoration of the hall, which is undergoing a series of interior and exterior improvements.
Beginning at 5 p.m., pulled pork sandwiches and homemade soup donated by the Parnell Tavern will be served for a free-will donation. A cover charge of $10 will begin at 6:30 p.m. for music that begins at 7 p.m. Parnell Centennial Books, a community cookbook, and Parnell belt buckles will be for sale during the event.
Bob Dorr and the Blue Band will perform from 7 to 10:30 p.m., followed by the bands Brass Pair and Hard Barney from 10:30 to 1 a.m. The Blue Band is celebrating its 35th anniversary of entertaining in eastern Iowa and moving toward retirement. Dorr noted the band would like to finish its career with a special performance to benefit the hall where they got their start.
Persons who would like to contribute to the restoration project but are unable to attend the Jan. 28 event may mail their donations to City of Parnell, P.O. Box 15, Parnell, Iowa 52325.
The hall is in the midst of a four-phase restoration plan, explained council member Jessica Jeske.
Phase one is nearing completion and consisted of a total tear-out of the existing bathrooms and kitchen. Aside from the space being outdated, the walls were in need of repair due to damage sustained over the course of time.
The kitchen and both bathrooms were remodeled and expanded, with the addition of wheelchair accessible stalls and doors in the bathrooms. The kitchen entrance was also made wheelchair accessible. The serving window was expanded, new energy efficient lighting was added throughout both areas and the wiring was updated. A new entry/exit door was added on the building’s east side for easier access to the exterior grounds.
Phase two will be the focus during 2017. The goal is to complete the tear-out of the existing walls and replace them with better insulation and drywall. Dropping the ceiling and adding insulation above will help with heating and cooling costs. Existing windows will be replaced, along with tables and chairs and it is hoped to be able to replace the heating and air conditioning units.
Phase three of the project will focus on the building’s exterior, with a completion goal of 2018.
The final phase will include landscaping, covered seating and a covered walkway on the northeast side of the building to provide direct access to the double doors.
The timeline depends on continued fundraising efforts, Jeske pointed out. The city was awarded a $15,000 grant in 2016 by the Iowa County Community Foundation. This grant played a significant factor in the town’s ability to begin the project. A previous fundraising project and donations from friends of the Parnell Hall have helped with ongoing restoration.
Jeske added a possible name change for the site, from the Parnell Hall to the Parnell Community Center, is a possibility in the future.