There are two unique displays that are happening in Jefferson during the Bell Tower Festival. 

The Greene County Historical Museum is highlighting the Fie family with their memorabilia. The late Larry Fie was one of the founders of the now known American Athletic Incorporated in Jefferson and he was a basketball standout for Iowa State University. According to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, Larry’s wife Jackie took on various roles for almost four decades on the Women’s Technical Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation, where she also spent over six Olympics as the head judge of gymnastics and she also qualified for the US Olympic Team in 1956. Historical Society Program Coordinator Margaret Hamilton talks about what the display includes. 

“We have some photos of Larry Fie and his basketball career and we have a lot of things that Jackie Fie got in her Olympic career. We have her badges and pins that she exchanged with other athletes at the Olympic games and when she was a judge and when she was an athlete. So over a 20 year period. It’s really quite interesting to look at.”       

Additionally, Julie Fie, who is this year’s Tower of Fame Award winner, will also have some memorabilia from her career on display. The museum will be open from 5-8pm tonight and 10am-5pm tomorrow.

Greene County Conservation Director Tanner Scheuermann says the DesMoiNTrak will have its N track scale model train set operating and on display at the Milwaukee Depot tomorrow from 9am-5pm. He talks about how this idea came together.

“It was kind of weird. It was earlier this winter they reached out to us and they talked about potentially holding something, they maybe wanted to do it for late summer. I’m like, ‘You know what? Would you guys be interested in doing this during Bell Tower (Festival) and maybe get more people?’ And they’re like, ‘Oh yeah, let’s do that.’ So Joe Gliem, he’s the local that’s a part of the club, kind of talked with him and we got them to use the Depot for Bell Tower (Festival). And yeah, so we’re really excited and I’m excited to see the setup.”        

Both displays are free and open to the public, but free will donations will be accepted.