Old Fort group releases commemorative puzzle

FORT MADISON - We’ve all heard and repeated the adage “A picture is worth a thousand words,” but how many pictures can reveal both the past and the future at the same time?
Answer: The photograph by Randy Fraker that shows what Old Fort Madison once looked like and what it will look like soon after Old Fort Madison Preservation (OFMP) restores it - with the bonus of a new Living History Center.
And now, supporters of this nonprofit’s effort can purchase a 500-piece puzzle – the first of a collective series from OFMP- of that photograph for $25.
Sales of this limited edition will be launched Saturday, July 4, perfectly timed with the celebration of the nation’s milestone Independence Day – the semi-quincentennial marking the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
OFMP Board Secretary Robin Delaney will be selling the puzzles from 5 p.m. -7 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at the Fort Madison Elks Lodge, located at 719 Ave, H in Fort Madison, in conjunction with the lodge’s “All-American Picnic Menu” where members and guests can enjoy brats, hotdogs, fries, baked beans, potato salad and, of course, apple pie, 5:30-9 p.m. while waiting for the Fort Madison fireworks to begin.
Diners and puzzle buyers can also purchase raffle tickets in hopes of winning the Elks gift basket with more than $500 worth of top-shelf liquors and wines. The drawing will take place ay 9:30 p.m.
Can’t make it on July 4? That’s okay, OFMP will be selling the puzzles 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, and Wednesday, July 15, at the Knights of Columbus, at 807 Ave. H in Fort Madison, during the club’s popular Chicken Nights – a beloved all-you-eat tradition since 1989.
The puzzles can be purchased with cash or checks only. Checks should be made out to OFMP. To make other arrangements to purchase the keepsake puzzle, call Delaney at 319-470-3642.
OFMP plans to introduce a different puzzle depicting a different view or portion of the fort and local history each year but will make the next ones 750 or 1,000 pieces (serious puzzle people have since told the nonprofit that 500 isn’t enough of a challenge).
The Mission
Old Fort Madison Preservation, Inc. is the 501(c)3 nonprofit designated to reconstruction and reopen Old Fort Madison and build a new Living History Center in Fort Madison’s Riverview Park.

The first phase of OFMP’s project will consist of removing existing structures off their foundations to raise all buildings 4 feet above the floodplain to protect again future flood damage. The buildings will then be returned to their foundations and repaired, in addition to the reconstruction of the blockhouse, the enlisted men’s barracks and the Palisade stockade that were at the site before structural safety issues resulted in their demolition.
The second phase will bring a new asset to Fort Madison’s most significant landmark – the Living Center - that will be built at the site of the old factory building and will house ADA accessible and modern restrooms, exhibition space for fort- related and local historical artifacts and year-round use for programs and activities. One area will be earmarked for revolving displays related to local history on a variety of topics, such as the railroad history, the women’s suffrage movement, Native Americans, the civil rights era and movement, Prohibition, local and area residents’ participation in the nation’s wars, visiting celebrities and more.
Making Progress
The City of Fort Madison turned over the keys to the old Fort to OFMP in May with a signed lease and, while much reconstruction awaits, the nonprofit held its first on-site limited tour of the fort as part of the Love Lee County Tour in mid June.
There will be more opportunities to see OFMP’s new educational signage and tour some of the existing structure on Saturday, July 4, after the Charlie Korschgen July 4 Kiddie Parade and on Saturday, Sept. 12, after the Tri State Rodeo Parade.
OFMP has collected nearly 60% of its $3.5 million goal for the project, with several grant applications pending, and will formally launch its capital campaign to get to the finish line on Friday, Sept. 25, which happens to be the eve of the 218th anniversary of the building of the original fort in 1808.
Support for the project has been nothing short of miraculous with a $350,000 in-kind donation from Meller Excavating and Asphalt to donate load, haul, spread and tamp down the certified clay to raise the fort property four feet and for some useable stockade posts that were removed in 2024.
City and OFMP representatives are in the process of doing an inventory of artifacts, materials and supplies related to the fort and its operations using a new inventory/cataloging system purchased by OFMP.
The OFMP Building Committee is finalizing architectural plans, and the engineer is awaiting permission from the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed.
A new, more detailed and user-friendly website is set to be up and running soon and, while the OFMP Events Committee has enjoyed success over the last 12 months, it is working on a schedule to do even more in 2027.
For a more detailed progress report, residents are encouraged to become an OFMP member by filling out an application, paying an annual $25 membership fee and attending the next membership meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 27, at OFMP headquarters, located at 705 Ave,. G in downtown Fort Madison.