riends of Cedar Rapids
Historic Preservation
Board Members
Amanda McKnight Grafton
President
Mark Stoffer Hunter
Secretary/Historian
Amanda has more than 20 years of experience in the real estate management field. She excels at working with a variety of people and projects. During her nine years on the Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission, she and her fellow commission members had the opportunity to assist the City and their neighbors in restoring our historical treasures as well as providing educational opportunities for historic tax credits and repurposing of properties. Amanda has a long list of accomplishments which help her in her position as Vice President
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Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission 2008 – 2017
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Chairperson 2012 – 2017
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Secretary 2008 – 2012
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HPC Public Education Committee
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Co-chair of HPC Preservation Showcase 2012-2016
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2014 Preserve Iowa Summit Tour Committee
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Member of the Mayflower Society
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Member of the National Trust
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Member of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
She has a BBA from University of North Texas, Real Property Administer (RPA) – Building Owners and Managers International (BOMI), Facility Management Administer (FMA) – Building Owners and Managers International (BOMI), Iowa Real Estate Salesperson License – 1996 – 2016, Iowa Real Estate Brokers License – 2017
Kirkwood Community College Historic Preservation Certification
“I have volunteered in my community in a number of capacities, but I was excited that I would be able to continue to assist my neighbors and apply my passion for history and preservation as a member of Friends of Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation.”
Mark's curiosity for history, historic buildings, and historic preservation came at a very young age. He has been Cedar Rapids Local Historian for the past 36 years. He astounds the public with his vast knowledge of Cedar Rapids. He is like a library full of historical data. Give Mark an address and he reaches into that huge library vault in his mind - within seconds he can give you when the building was built, the original builder and original owner up to the current owner, and what purpose the building fulfilled. Mark, nicknamed "Mr. History" is serving on the Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission for his second term. Mark served on the HPC until the flood of 2008. He was reappointed 2013 and continually supports that commission with his knowledge of the vital architectural and cultural needs of neighborhoods, buildings and the importance of preservation. Mark has been photo-documenting old buildings from the age of 14 to present day. He does all of the commission's photo documentation prior to any demolitions. He has also had several books published on Cedar Rapid's history. Mark has a seat on the board of Save CR Heritage as well as the History Center which will be reopening in the Douglas mansion, formally known as Turner's Mortuary. You can join Mark on one of his many walking tours or history filled bus tours thru out the Cedar Rapids area, but be forewarned, his passion and knowledge for Cedar Rapid's rich history is nothing short of mystifying.
Bob Grafton
Member
Ron Mussman
Member
Robert Grafton is a native Cedar Rapidian with over 30 years of experience in restoration, construction, and maintenance. During his nine years on the Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission, he’s used his knowledge and experience to act as an HPC liaison to assist numerous property owners. As an adjunct faculty member of Kirkwood Community College, he taught students in the Historic Preservation class series the history, practical applications and the methods of how to repair their plaster in their homes. Bob has served through membership and volunteer roles in many capacities including,
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City of Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
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2008 – 2016 Secretary
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HPC Public Education Committee
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Co-chair of HPC Preservation Showcase 2012 -2016
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2014 Preserve Iowa Summit Tour Schedule Committee
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City of Cedar Rapids Nuisance Abatement Properties Steering Committee member,
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ImpactCR member which is a program of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
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Wellington Heights Neighborhood Assoc. board member
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Committee member of the Cedar Rapids Fire Department Central Fire Station Memorandum of Agreement.
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National Trust for Historic Preservation member
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1991 – 2001 Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association
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1996 Wellington Heights Showcase Committee Member
Bob received his education at Kirkwood Community College and is a certified Lead Paint Control and Abatement Certified. Bob resides in one of Cedar Rapids beautiful historic districts and is a valuable asset to FCRHP because of his passion and for his knowledge and care in the techniques used to promote preservation through restoration.
Ron was born and raised in the Vinton area. His passion for older houses grew after he lived in a home built in the 1860's. Moving to Cedar Rapids in 1989 he continued that passion for another older home on the near North West side. The 1890's beautiful home with huge porch columns was home to Mayor Stepanek during his term from 1932 and 1933. The house was
also home to Edward Bernstorf, the person selected by
Norman Rockwell, to portray Junius Wimple in his Saturday Evening Post Cover of November 4, 1944.
Bernstorf was portrayed reading a Gazette paper which was headlined "Which One?" in front of a voting booth. Ron retired from Rockwell Collins and is serving his second term on the Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission.Ron's patience serves both the HPC and the FRCHP as he takes on the challenges of investigative research. Much time is spent safeguarding present and future historical districts as well as local landmarks through his State and National research. His understanding of State codes has proven to be a valuable asset for local preservation, especially in regards to future preservation, archaeological dig sites and for possible
historical preservation along the the Cedar River.
David Janssen
Member
David has a long history and knowledge for historical preservation. For the past six years, he has served as Executive Director at Brucemore, a National Historic Estate, and a Cedar Rapids treasure. He also served as:
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VP of Internal operation at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House from July 2001 - April 2010
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Assistant Director of Brucemore Inc - Museums & institutions December 1993 - June 2001,
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Curator at SMITH MCDOWELL HOUSE MUSEUM at Asheville, NC from January 1992 - November 1993.
He has a BA, History & Philosophy at Dartmouth College,
MA from Duquesne University, and an MBA from the University of Iowa. His unique approach and understanding of historic preservation and his strong sense of business makes him a tremendous asset for FCRHP and the responsibilities it has taken to promote preservation in Cedar Rapids.