Stuart’s unofficial historian, Bob Cook, is hoping to preserve a hub of history. Cook is currently selling CDs filled with historic pictures and documents, with all proceeds going to the Stuart Library Foundation.

Cook refers to his collection as “Stuart’s Greatest Hits”. The collection is a three volume work which includes: 120 historic photos, a detailed digital file on historic pilot Carl Duede, and a comprehensive look at downtown throughout the years. Cook gave a brief history on Duede. “He and a fellow Stuart resident actually were hired by the U.S. Government as civilian pilot trainers and testers for World War I.”

This fundraiser stems from Cook’s passion for the library. Cook commented on his admiration for the current space. “I hope other people see that the Stuart Public Library is one of the assets that this community has to offer for people of all ages that live here or that want to find a community to live in. It’s another one of the assets that we have in this small town that make it exciting and hopefully help us prosper.”

CDs are $15 each and interested individuals can contact Cook to purchase them. For more information, listen to Cook on today’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program.

Contact: Bob Cook- (515)-480-2589

Address: P.O. Box 307 Stuart, IA 50250