The Louisa County Interpretive Center Master Plan is an effort to create a vision and direction for the strengthening of the interpretive message delivered by the Toolesboro Indian Mounds and in a larger sense, the Louisa Resource Area. This will benefit the National Scenic Byway traveler of the Great River Road by adding interest and education.
The approach will be to take a holistic look at the burial mounds in a larger context of LAND, PLACE, HOME.
Land
A general term revered by native Americans and other cultures, such as "Iowa-Beautiful Land"
Place
A specific area of land defined by natural resources such as geology, hydrology, flora and fauna
Home
Habitation of a chosen place
The Langwood Education Center owned and operated by The Board of Louisa County Conservation will serve as the focal facility.
The master plan for the facility, located one mile off the Great River project, will include an exhibit hall that orients the traveler to the resources available in northeast Louisa County. The hall will also include interpretive panels, display, artifacts and interactive features. The hall will contain views to paths that lead out of doors to environmental education exhibits.
The building will exude a strong relationship between internal and external space. The building will also contain offices of Louisa County Conservation and the facility will have regular year around hours.
The building will be constructed in the spirit of LEED leadership. The material selection and design will be of a sustainable nature with favorable long term maintenance and operational costs.
The intended users for the facility will be:
- The Byway Traveler
- A continuation and enhancement of environmental education programs currently offered by Louisa County conservation.
- Organized adult education and corporate conference retreat center
- Family gatherings at new individual cabin sites.
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