Plans are underway for a brochure about historic sites in Story County after the recent approval of a $2,000 grant.

The State Historical Society’s Historical Resource Development Program, which receives its funding though the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act, gave out a total of $406,371 in grants on Sept. 28 to enhance the cultural and economic health of Iowa communities.

“The grants were distributed among three categories: historical preservation, document collection and museum,” said Lavon Wickett, historical resource development program coordinator for the State Historical Society of Iowa.

The idea for the brochure was originated by a group of people who were part of the Story City Commission for Iowa’s Sesquicentennial two years ago, said Kathy Svec, president of the Ames Heritage Association and marketing director of the Memorial Union.

“There was a mutual interest in history and historical sites in the county,” Svec said, “but it has taken awhile to make the idea a reality.”

Svec said the brochure will serve many purposes.

“Tourism is a definite goal, along with education and awareness,” she said.

Some sites Svec said are being considered for distribution of the brochure are: the Iowa State University Farm House, the log school house in Ames, a restored victorian home in Nevada, the Maxwell Community Museum, the Story City Carousel and some spots along the Lincoln Highway.

“Most will come as a great surprise,” Svec said. “Every community will have a spot.”

Local designer Lynn Ekblad will design the brochure, which Svec describes as a “self-guided map with notes.”

Svec said it is important for people to be able to explore independently.

The completion of the brochure is projected for next year, and it will be distributed in every community at a prominent civic location. In Ames, it will be available at the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

“Everyone has a story, and it defines who we are, where we have been and where we are going,” Svec said. “We need to know where we have been so we can be purposeful about our futures.”