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Four Mounds
Foundation
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John
Gronen, along with community members, founded
this incorporated 501(c)3 organization in 1987.
The 54 acre "English
Gentleman's Farm" estate consists of five
historic homes and 12 outbuildings including
a carriage/dairy bam and a wood-working shop,
all of which were at risk of being demolished.
The buildings are owned by the City of Dubuque
but managed by the Four Mounds Foundation through
a long term lease agreement. John is president
of the Foundation. The homes and outbuildings
are utilized for youth education and support
enterprises to provide funding for staffing,
programming and operational costs. |
| All homes
and outbuildings have undergone complete restoration
performed according to the Department of Interiors
Standards of Rehabilitation under the direction
of John Gronen. The entire estate is now listed
as a National Historic District by the Department
of the Interior. 'The Foundation operates on
an annual budget of approximately $350,000. |
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The
restored homes consist of the following;
- 1908
Craftsman style
seven bedroom home which currently serves
as a Conference Center/Inn. This home was
restored in 1990-1992 (3 year project).
- 1924
Colonial five bedroom home which
will also serve as part of the Conference
Center/hm. Restoration began in 2000.
Work continues and the project is being
used
as a vocational work site for the at-risk
youth program. It is currently on budget.
There is no definite time line due to funding
availability and the slower pace required
for working with the youth.
- 1907
Chauffeurs House which
now serves as a rental unit for the estate's
grounds keeper. This home was restored
in 1997 over a six month period of time.
- 1907
Gardeners House which now serves
as a rental unit to
provide income for the Foundation. This home was restored in 1995 over a
one year period.
- 1904
Farmhouse which
now serves as a rental unit to provide
income for the Foundation. This home was
restored in 1991 over a one year period.
Major
outbuildings:
- 1908
Carriage House/Barn which now
houses the Youth
Empowerment Services program. This building was restored in 1997-1998.
- 1908
Hog Shed now serves as a working
hog bam with two pigs. This building was
restored in 2002 over an eight month period.
- 1929
Wood Shop now serves as a job
site for the Youth
Empowerment Services program. This building was restored and expanded in
2001 over a six month period.
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Y.E.S.
During
the course of the restoration process, John
developed
the Youth Empowerment Services Program of
Four Mounds in 1995. This at-risk youth program
serves adolescents through vocational training
in the areas of building restoration, land
stewardship, hospitality services, auto mechanics
and wood-working.
All students receive academic credit for
their participation in the program.
Click here
for more information on Four Mounds Y.E.S. Program |
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