Visitor improvement funds approved for Wessels improvements

​YORK – Money from the York County Visitor Improvement Fund has been allocated for three badly needed improvements at the Wessels Living History Farm.

​This past week, York County Visitors Bureau Director Alex Saathoff, Wessels Board President Tom Landmesser and Wessels Director Shawna Bigelow met with the York County Commissioners to talk about the project.
Saathoff explained how the YCVB Board of Directors had already approved the application from Wessels and was recommending a $22,000 allocation.
The money is needed for replacement of the air conditioning/heating system at the Wessels house, for badly needed repairs to the iconic windmill and well house and refurbishing of the signage along Highway 81.
Landmesser said the HVAC system at the house failed last summer and needs to be replaced. He said parts needed to be replaced to ensure the windmill and well house are safe and continue to stand for many more years. And the signage, he said, which has been standing out by Highway 81 for 20 years is in bad need of replacement.
Bigelow stressed how Wessels is a historical tourism asset to York County. She also stressed how important the air conditioning is in the house – for the comfort of visitors but also for to help preserve the artifacts displayed there. “The windmill work is a safety measure and the sign is very dingy and needs to be replaced.”
“The YCVB board met,” said Commissioner Randy Obermier, who also sits on the YCVB board in representation of the county. “Wessels has had its ups and downs through the years and it seems to be on an up trend now. It is one of our few true tourism spots. The board felt this is a great project and there is plenty of money in the fund.”
The visitors improvement fund holds money generated by the county’s lodging taxes. Saathoff said there is currently $337,000 in that fund with only one allocation scheduled to come out for a project at the city auditorium.
The commissioners voted in favor of the grant for Wessels.