Gilchrist Supports Latham Park
Latham Park, nestled in Sioux City’s Morningside area at 1915 S. Lemon Street, has been a beautiful sanctuary for visitors for almost 100 years. The nearly one-acre park plays host to weddings, picnics, church services, reunions and photo shoots. It’s also been a quiet place for the public to enjoy.
The land was originally platted in 1888 and bought by the Latham family in 1915. Once the last Latham, Clara Latham, died in 1937, the property reverted to a trust, now managed by Security National Bank. Its upkeep is managed by The Friends of Latham Park, a group of neighbors and concerned citizens.
Ensuring the park’s future is one of the group’s jobs and the Gilchrist Foundation has helped with this effort. The Gilchrist Foundation awarded Latham Park a $45,600 project grant to help cover recent improvements made to the park.
Latham Park Improvements
Cecelia Ronnfeldt, Personal Trust Relationship Manager for Security National Bank, says Latham Park has undergone many improvements thanks to donations like the one from the Gilchrist Foundation.
The Latham House: The house, which was built in 1915, needed some TLC, especially on the interior, says Ronnfeldt. The first floor was repainted and the wood floors were redone by Jon Otto. Old flooring was replaced on the second floor in the caretaker’s quarters. New chairs were added to the parlor and new a sofa/loveseat in the living room. The foundation was repaired on the exterior of the house and basement windows repaired and replaced. Plans are in the works to replace the skirting around the bottom of the porch this fall.
The Ground’s Buildings: Improvements were made to the actual grounds, including tearing down an old storage shed and replacing the garage’s windows and door as well as the roof. Repair work was done to the brick on the brick shelter and the rotted wooded benches replaced. The restroom’s broken windows and old, leaking fixtures were all repaired or replaced. All three outbuildings were repainted and replacing cement is slated for fall.
The Fountain: The fountain, which was restored and re-dedicated in 2004 and 2005 respectively, is a centerpiece for weddings. This year, it was repaired by Wrenn’s Plumbing & Heating after being shut down last fall.
The Main Gate: The main gate, located at the northwest entrance and used for photos, was repaired. It was a big project that required a welder who could work with antique bronze, explains Ronnfeldt. Port Neal Welding picked up the gate, did the repairs and returned it in perfect condition. The company is also working on a custom bridge to replace the old, rotten wood one.
Landscaping: Hundreds of annuals are planted each year, as well as replacing perennials and adding multiple pallets of mulch. The group is working with American Fence Company to expand the secret garden area. Five park benches were purchased from RJ Thomas Manufacturing Co. in Cherokee, Iowa, that will be placed throughout the property. Bench sponsorships are being sold as a fundraiser. The sponsor will have a name plate added to each bench.
“Not only are we grateful for the support of the Gilchrist Foundation, but we were also fortunate to have so many, local talented people help with the projects,” says Ronnfeldt. “In addition to the people mentioned above, we owe thank you’s to Lance Bos of Sgt Bluff (and his crew), Scott Ohlfest (and crew) of Sioux City, Curry Floors in South Sioux City, Neb., Randy Peters of Antiques on Historic 4th, Southdale Nursery, Lewis Electric of North Sioux City, Datta-Mac in Leeds, and Sherwin Williams on Sunnybrook, to name just a few.”
The improvements will no doubt have Latham Park looking its best for the 20th Annual Art Festival.
20th Annual Art Festival
Art in the Park is happening Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and admission is free. Sheryl Brosamle, Vice President, Friends of Latham Park, says it is the 20th annual art festival, with all of them being held on the Latham Park grounds.
“They were even held throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic since we are outside in the fresh air.”
The event hosts about three dozen regional artists with registrations coming from Sioux City, Hinton, Le Mars and Harlan, Iowa as well as from Ponca, Nebraska and Vermillion, S.D. There are also food trucks and musicians to add to the festivities.
The event began as a fundraising idea shortly after The Friends of Latham Park organized in 2003 to save the park.
“Many patrons have told us this is their favorite place to start their Christmas shopping,” adds Brosamle.
Future Latham Park Projects
There are always more projects that need to be accomplished in the future, like revamping the outdoor kitchen and adding new electric and insulation to that house, says Ronnfeldt. To that end, the Friends of Latham Park are always looking for new people to help at the park and would welcome new faces, she adds.
“This group has been the driving force behind the Park’s survival. It’s a small but hard-working group: Sheryl Brosamle, Mary Case, Michelle DiBerardino, Nancy Dobyns, Judie Hayward, Karen Riley, Pat Roberts, Jill Swanson, Nancy Watson and the Caretaker at the Park, Donna Johnson.”
Those looking to support The Friends of Latham park by volunteering or through donations can visit the park’s website.
About the Gilchrist Foundation
The Gilchrist Foundation has long supported the arts in Siouxland. Jocelyn Gilchrist loved the arts and film and was a supporter of both in her lifetime. She used the wealth accumulated by her family to fund projects that support her family’s interests including wildlife and conservation, disaster relief and of course the arts and film.
Each year, the Gilchrist Foundation awards grants to multiple nonprofit organizations whose missions align with the interests of the Foundation. Visit the Applications page to learn more about the process.