Heartland Acres appreciates our volunteers and their support. As a non-profit museum, Heartland Acres relies on many volunteers for support. Volunteers help take admission, greet visitors, set up displays and perform other light duties.
Recently, the Independence McDonalds restaurant donated several items related to this history of Independence, in particular the Rush Park Horse Racing Track. The track was a dominate business and attraction for the Independence community in the late 1800’s. One of the items donated to Heartland Acres from McDonalds was a large mural which depicted the Rush Park Horse Racing track. The mural shows buildings and grounds as they were in the hay day of horse racing in Independence. Independence was known as a “The Lexington of the Northâ€, which referred to the popularity of horse racing in Lexington, Kentucky during the same time period.
“One of our permeant displays at Heartland Acres is the story of the Rush Park Horse Racing Track which includes memorabilia from the history of the track. This addition from McDonalds and the help of our volunteers is what continues to breathe life into the museumâ€, stated Craig Johnson, Executive Director.
For more information about Heartland Acres please call 319.332.0123 or find us on Facebook.
Volunteers, Joseph Neumann and Gary White (on the ladder) work on hanging the newest display at Hartland Acres.
