Restoration project honors the military history of Fort Des Moines

A near-century-old brick building at Fort Des Moines is being restored which was the first training ground in the nation during World War Two for WACs — the Women’s Army Corps. Charlotte Nelson, executive director of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, says Clayton Hall is a true landmark. It was also the Army’s first officer candidate school open to black men during World War One.It’s being restored to the way it was when it was first built. Porches are being put back on, tuckpointing is done, the roof was repaired. Nelson says the old training hall will become a memorial park, museum and educational center. The center will focus on the major contributions by the military in leading society toward racial and gender equality.Nelson is looking for people who have ties to the old WAC training ground.She’s looking for people who served with the WACs or who have friends or relatives who went through the training. Contact Nelson at 800 558-4427 or at “[email protected]”.