Bonaparte Pottery receives
Award for best archeological site

The Bonaparte Pottery has won a Best of Preservation Award from the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance.

Pottery owners Don and Marilyn Thomas were in Des Moines earlier this month to attend a luncheon and accept the award at the State Historical Society of Iowa’s annual awards ceremony. Archeologists from the University of Iowa were also represented at the ceremony.

The presentation was made by Anita Walker, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs; Michael Kramme, Executive Director of the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance; and Jack Adams, Alliance board member and awards committee chairman.

The ceremony was part of Iowa’s recognition of National Historic Preservation Week. The pottery won in the category of best archeological site. In addition to a certificate of recognition, the Thomases received a plaque to display at the pottery.

Built in 1865, the pottery is possibly the only standing one left in Iowa. It was in operation 28 years. Recent work on the site has included repairs to the roof and windows and stabilization after the flood of 1993.

The University of Iowa Archeological Department held digs at the site in 1994 and 1995. A two-week field school was held last year and more are planned in the future. The department has developed a 10-year plan to uncover the site. Discoveries include, in addition to numerous pottery shards, foundations of kilns and a pug mill.

The site is open for tours. “We’ve had four bus tours this month,” Marilyn said.

Source: Van Buren County Leader-Record