PCC Staff
FORT MADISON – Old Fort Madison Preservation, Inc. (OFMP) announced a transformative $700,000 pledge from Dana Coffie Rheinschmidt and her brother, Tim Coffie, during its membership meeting Monday evening.
The gift serves as the cornerstone for the nonprofit’s mission to restore Old Fort Madison and construct a new, state-of-the-art Living History Center.
“Dana and Tim are our lead donors, and we are incredibly grateful for their confidence in this project,” said OFMP Board President Bill Napier.
“This commitment brings us to a point where we are now eligible for state and local grants, as well as traditional financing if needed.”
The gift brings OFMP’s total funds raised to $1,682,980 as it prepares to launch a formal $3.5 million capital campaign. Rheinschmidt, who also serves as the Fundraising Committee Chair, drew inspiration from a televised story of a small town in Maine that rallied to save a local landmark.
“The Fort is a place that refuses to disappear,” she said. “We can rebuild with grit and heart. We believe we can put Fort Madison back on the map; if we chronicle the stages of this renewal maybe one day CBS Sunday Morning will feature our Old Fort project, too. Even my brother, who lives in California, believes this fort is worth saving.”
Napier presented blueprints for the planned Living History Center, a 4,021-square-foot, two-story facility. The design features a vintage exterior to match the historic site with a modern interior boasting an expansive wall of windows overlooking the Mississippi River.
“The exhibits, scattered throughout this incredible space, will show visitors how the soldiers and the factory trading post helped shape this country,” Napier said. “Their sacrifices led to the freedoms we appreciate today.”
The project recently received a significant in-kind contribution from local contractor Glen Meller, who offered to donate the labor and equipment to haul and spread truckloads of soil. This will raise the complex’s elevation by four feet to prevent future flooding. The site work is slated to begin next spring following foundation upgrades managed by Schickadanz Construction.
The City of Fort Madison has also solidified its support by signing a 25-year renewable lease with OFMP. The City Council has pledged $50,000 annually for five years, funded by the local Hotel-Motel tax.
The project’s momentum is fueled by a "small but mighty" group of volunteers. Napier credited professional fundraiser Tim Snyder for providing seven months of pro bono guidance, and praised the efforts of board members and other volunteers including:
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Cyndie Reppert: For connecting OFMP with her long-time friend (originally from Burlington) and fundraising consultant now located in Pennsylvania, Tim Snyder.
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Becky Rump: For sharing fundraising knowledge gained at Southeastern Community College.
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Dr. Marie Brady-Whitcanack: For long-time generous support, grantwriting expertise, and development of a new fundraising and awareness-raising bike ride initiative.
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Sharon Scholl Nabulsi & Cindy Roberts: As former and current Treasurers, for overseeing the organization's growth from 200 charter members and managing the finances.
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Linda Smith: For joining the Events committee, and constantly coming up with new ideas, like an Old Fort puzzle, the Jail & Bail fundraiser, and encouraging the group to serve 1800's era treats at today's meeting.
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Hugh Vandegriff: For sharing his electrical engineering knowledge and management skills, and connecting DuPont and other local industries to the project.
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Melissa Flach: For modernizing membership communications.
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Barb Pickard & Allison Park: For the joint creation of the group’s first informational newsletter,, and for submitting various grants.
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Board members unable to attend the membership meeting included local historian Dave Moehn and OFMP Secretary and retired newspaper editor Robin Delaney. Napier noted their unique qualifications and value to the organization, too.
The OFMP Events Committee, chaired by Susan Spencer, raised over $26,000 through thirteen initiatives in 2025 and 2026, including the "Jail and Bail" event that brought in $10,633, the Eagles Fish fry that brought in $2,645, enchilada sales netting almost $5,500, $2,645 from the Moose's Soup/Chili Cookoff, $1,482 donated by Hinterland Dairy's Grilled Cheese event, the Dolley Madison Tea at the Victoria Tea Room netting nearly $1,300, almost $2,700 from the recent Hagler’s Haven flea market, and numerous merchandise sales.
Looking forward, the group will host a planning meeting for the "Great Black Hawk Bicycle Ride: A Journey Through History Toward Healing" on Tuesday, May 12, at 2:00 PM at the OFMP offices (705 Avenue G).
This annual ride, proposed by Dr. Brady-Whitcanack's Warsaw High School students to begin in 2027, will trace a path from Warsaw to Fort Madison.
OFMP will also host a merchandise table at the June 4th Summer Market on Avenue G, featuring Old Fort apparel and copies of Mike Killoren’s book on Alpha Kingsley.
The group will also participate for the first time in the Love Lee County Road Trip, June 12-13 at The Old Fort from 10 am to 6 p.m; MichBrys Food Trailer will also be on site. Volunteers who wish to represent the OFMP by marching in the Charlie Korschgen July 4th parade and the Tri-State Rodeo parade are encouraged to contact Susan Spencer at
info@historicoldfortmadison.org.
About Old Fort Madison Preservation, Inc.:
OFMP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Iowa’s historic frontier history through the restoration of Old Fort Madison and the education of future generations. Prospective donors and/or volunteers can visit
www.historicoldfortmadison.org.
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