The National Park Service designated the City of Waterloo an American World War II Heritage City in December 2023. Only one city in Iowa will receive the honor.
Tim Hurley, former Waterloo mayor who helped apply for the designation, is heading up the local group behind this effort. “Our entire community can take pride in this designation by the National Park Service. Waterloo citizens, businesses and industry pulled more than their weight on the home front as well as the battlefront to help the Allies win World War II,” he said.
To promote the designation through donor dollars, a charitable fund has been established at the Waterloo Community Foundation. Contributions given to the “Waterloo American WWII Heritage City Fund” Waterloo American WWII Heritage City Fund will pay for commemoration and educational costs related to Waterloo’s designation.
“The mission of our Heritage City coalition is to educate present and future generations about the accomplishments made in Waterloo during World War II, to celebrate the resilience and spirit of our community, and to foster a deeper appreciation for the historical significance of those efforts and accomplishments,” said Hurley.
Through the new Fund, Hurley and his committee of volunteers hope to place signage, much like those given by the National Parks Service, about each significant site in Waterloo. They would like to place signage on the entering points of the city, state and federal gateways and place historic markers at significant sites.
Ultimately, the committee hopes to develop lesson plans, a heritage city walk, and have brochures to distribute during events celebrating Memorial Day and Veterans Day, as well as city-wide events such as Irish Fest and My Waterloo Days. These various educational opportunities will help future generations continue to engage with the war’s significance and its impact on the Waterloo community.
The World War II Heritage Cities program was established by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019 to recognize the historic importance of the United States’ domestic involvement in World War II and ensure the continued preservation of a defining period in American history.
To Give to the Waterloo American WWII Heritage City Fund, visit: https://wloocommunityfoundation.org/donate/
Waterloo American WWII Heritage City Fund
