 The Froelich Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1986, has set a goal of preserving the heritage of the Froelich, Iowa, village. It was once a thriving community that boasted of a depot, sawmill, blacksmith shop, a creamery, a post office (still in the general store), a hatchery, stockyards, ice house, barber shop, shipping warehouse and church.
Mini-Pull Results
Mini-Pull at Froelich
The most excitement you can have on a garden tractor!
Froelich Foundation Officers Elected
Froelich Fall-der-All 2009 Photos and Story
New Barn Quilt Brings in Visitors
If you’ve driven past the Froelich
Historic Site this summer, you’ve noticed a big change
on the Dettmann Dairy Barn. The barn siding was
completed earlier this spring and the Barn Quilt is up
and looking great. Thanks again to Sheryl and Wayne
Mielke for donating the Barn Quilt, a line-art rendering
of the 1892 John Froelich tractor. Steve Oden of Waukon
did the artwork and the design is also on the Fall-der-All
button this year. Thanks again to all who donated to
make the barn siding project a big success.
Mini-Grain Trucks Donated to Froelich
Jim Cowell, a long-time member and
local trucker for many years, has donated his collection
of mini-grain trucks to the Froelich Foundation. Mark
and Robin Stoffel, of Peosta, have volunteered to
construct a building on Froelich property to display
Jim’s donation and protect the trucks from weather. The
new display promises to attract attention and create
enjoyment for both young and old alike. Plans are to
have it ready for Fall-der-All on Sep. 26-27.
Froelich Foundation to Partner with Endow
Iowa
The board of directors of the
Froelich Foundation has voted to partner with Endow Iowa
to set up a permanent endowment program for Froelich.
The Foundation will be working closely with the
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, which covers
Clayton County. Through this program, friends of
Froelich can leave bequests that will grow annually,
with 5% distributed to the Froelich operating budget
each year. This program is designed to create permanent,
long-term financial strength for Froelich as well as
help keep donor funds working inside Iowa to help
non-profit organizations, museums and charities. The
Froelich Foundation will provide more details on this
program later this year that explain how a Froelich
Endowment can be established as well as the tax benefits
to donors.
Annual Member Dues
Just a reminder, that if you
haven’t sent in your annual membership dues ($10 for
individuals, $20 for families) now is a great time. Many
annual members stop by at Fall-der-All to pay at that
time. Also, lifetime membership is $200, and annual
members often convert to a lifetime membership. If you
know someone who may be interested in joining the
Froelich Foundation, please let us know. Thanks.
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Froelich, Iowa, was settled in the early 1870s at the point where the narrow gauge Iowa Eastern Railroad crossed the Old Military Trail, which ran from McGregor to Fort Atkinson. As a result of the railroad many businesses sprang up. Froelich was a village filled with activity.
Each year in Froelich, Iowa, members of the Froelich Foundation and many wonderful volunteers hold various events to give people a chance to discover and remember the great contribution that John Froelich gave to America. In 1892, John Froelich made the first gas traction engine that propelled itself backward and forward.
John Froelich is listed in the Iowa Inventors Hall of Fame. He is credited with having invented many things: a washing machine, dish washer and dryer, a mechanical corn picker, and the mounting of a gasoline engine on his well drilling outfit. It is this invention that led him to modify the gasoline engine for a tractor for threshing. John Froelich also invented the first air conditioner, which went on to become the Carrier Air Conditioning Company. This is much history here in Froelich, Iowa, just waiting for you to explore it! From Memorial Day to our "Fall-der-all," you are invited to reminisce with friends and neighbors, as well as, discover the rich history here in the Froelich Village. There is always something different to see here, from the informative video presentations, narrative tour guides, reading material, to the lifelong foundation members, there is plenty of information to help you relive the rich history that survives to this day in Froelich, Iowa.
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Froelich
Fall-der-All 2009 Photos and Story
The Village of Froelich is open daily 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., except Wednesdays, from Memorial Day to the end of September. Open weekends through October, weather permitting. Call to confirm.
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Froelich Foundation
24397 Froelich Road
McGregor, IA 52157
PHONE: 563-536-2841
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