Hal Tuttle and other members of the Prairie Arts Council decided that Sheldon should have an art center. The Prairie Arts Council is a nonprofit organization that was organized in 1977 to promote the public appreciation, understanding and encouragement of the arts.
The Griffin Medical building at 712 Fourth Ave. — where Choice Chiropractic sits today — near uptown Sheldon was for sale in 1984, and the Prairie Arts Council thought it would make an ideal art center, but the problem was raising $75,000 for the purchase and renovation of the building.
The committee had plans for music, theatrical practice areas, a dance studio, and visual arts to use the facilities. In the past, the committee sponsored an outdoor art festival, dance lessons and a summer theatre program.
When the committee approached people for donations for an art center, they only thought of visual arts.
“People don’t consider dance, drama, theatre, all those things,” said Tuttle, who taught art at Sheldon High School. “I want people to know that we’re interested in the growth of all arts. I see this as a cultural center, a place where we can bring in visiting artists in every aspect of fine arts.”
Other artistic endeavors, such as the Sheldon Civic Music Association, had been able to sell all the tickets that were available. The theatre group had sold all its tickets for Off, Off Broadway shows, so there was an interest in the arts.
When Dick Wansink was approached to donate money, he said, “I won’t give you a cent. But I will give you my house and 2½ acres.” He shocked the committee.
The committee failed to raise enough money for the Griffin Medical building, but Dick Wansink came to the rescue and donated his home with 2½ acres to the Prairie Arts Council on July 5, 1984.
Dick Wansink’s home was unique. It had been ordered from the Sears, Roebuck & Co. mail-order catalog and came in pieces. Carpenters put the house together using blueprints and numbered lumber pieces.
On the Wansink’s acreage was a garage which had quite a history. It was Sheldon’s first schoolhouse, built in 1873, and was a one-story, one-room structure moved to the Wansink property in 1932. The Wansinks used it as a wash and milk house, and later as a garage.
Tuttle, as president of the Prairie Arts Council, suggested the organization restore the garage to its original beginning as a schoolhouse since the structure was sound. It had to be renovated. The goal was to finish the building in time for the All-School Reunion scheduled for June 29-July 1.
The organization needed $16,000 to pay for refurbishing the old schoolhouse. It sought donations of money or items. The 10 board members canvassed Sheldon.
“We are looking for some major gifts, but gifts of any size are appreciated,” Bernie Van’t Hul said.
Being a member of the Prairie Arts Council was a start. The minimum membership fee was $5 for an individual or $12.50 for a family. Membership entitled a member to use of the Prairie Arts facilities and reduced rates for activities in the building. The board planned to use the schoolhouse throughout the whole year for activities ranging from exhibitions to workshops by various artists, plus group meetings and community activities. The board wanted it to be used by everyone from preschool age to the elderly. This was the beginning of the schoolhouses in what eventually would become the Prairie Arts Historical Park.
According to Tuttle, history is a vital part of a culture and must be honored and protected. He did his part in preserving the past. That was why he was the third Iowan ever to receive the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Preservation Award. Only 11 had been awarded nationally in the past years.
Sheldon attorney Tom Whorley nominated Tuttle for the award saying, “I can state without reservation that the arts and the historical preservation of many artifacts including the beautifully restored country school buildings would not exist in Sheldon, Iowa, but for Hal Tuttle. There may have been some community leaders who have volunteered their time to historic preservation but there have been none that have given as much for the preservation of school history in our community as Hal Tuttle over these last 50 years.”
Karin Vanden Berg, secretary of the Prairie Arts Council, said she had known Hal Tuttle since she was a fifth-grader and Hal Tuttle was admired and loved by the students.
DAR vice regent Colleen Lemkuil of Spirit Lake said that Tuttle was modest when told he would receive the honor for his efforts to preserve and honor the history of the region. As a youth, Hal Tuttle attended a country school for nine years in Poweshiek County in east-central Iowa.
The Ladies of the Lake DAR Chapter and the Okoboji Queen Chapter of the International Questers sponsored the show-and-tell ceremony for Tuttle in the Baker Township School on Aug. 23, 2016. They started the day with the color guard who presented the flags and a Pledge of Allegiance. Patriotic songs were sung. A suggested donation of $1 was given. Then they toured the four school buildings and the two houses. They had lunch at the Pizza Ranch.
Tuttle gave a brief history of his life in Sheldon. He said that Sheldon has embraced his love of art and history. He taught elementary, middle school, and high school, and then adults. Speeches were given by Whorley, Vanden Berg, and Ruth Ann Donslear.
Sheldon mayor Katricia Meendering announced that the Prairie Arts Council decided to name the Wansink House, “Hal Tuttle Gallery. It was the place where Tuttle was given his DAR award.
The Historical Park has four restored country schools which display art from students, people who Tuttle taught and some of his own art.
Restoration, organizing events, working on the buildings and raising money continues to play an active role in maintaining the Historical Park.
The Prairie Arts Historical Park holds several events throughout the year. The most popular event is its annual Halloween Carnival.
Santa Claus also meets the children at a time close to Christmas and listens to their gift lists.
The Little Picasso Kids Art Club starts after Memorial Day.
Ceramics is offered on Wednesday nights.
The Baker Township School has hosted birthday parties, graduation parties, Boy Scout events, Merry-Go-Round luncheons and other activities.
All events must be booked in advance. Contact Karin Vanden Berg at 712-324-9718 or 712-899-1748 to book an event.
Millie Vos is the secretary/treasurer of the Sheldon Historical Society and the museum director and a board member of the Sheldon Prairie Museum. This is part of a series of historical articles about Sheldon. Members of the Sheldon Historical Society receive a yearly newsletter with articles like this. To join the society, call her at 712-324-3235.