A piece of history was saved today, as Iowa City-based Friends of Historic Preservation donated an oak staircase railing to be used in the “Frankie House,” a home that Save CR Heritage moved last September to save it from demolition.

Friends of Historic Preservation volunteers salvaged doors, windows and other items from the former Women’s Resource & Action Center, a building the University of Iowa plans to demolish next month. Both the Frankie House, in Cedar Rapids, and the WRAC building were constructed in the 1890s.

Executive Director Alicia Trimble said she was glad the staircase – a work of craftsmanship seldom found in modern buildings – would be put to use in a home from the same era. Other items salvaged from the building will be sold at the Salvage Barn, which the group operates in Iowa City.

Mark Stoffer Hunter, a board member of Save CR Heritage, noted that the WRAC building was the last house standing from numerous homes that previously lined Madison Street, just a short distance from the Iowa River in Iowa City. The UI has said the spot, next to a parking garage, will be used for green space.

The Frankie House – named in honor of a 3-year-old girl who died in the home in its early days – is still in need of donations of appliances, cupboards, plumbing, paint, gutters, a new roof, light fixtures and other restoration/trades work. Anyone interested in helping can contact Save CR Heritage president, Beth DeBoom, at: (319) 360-7145 or email: savecrheritage@gmail.com. Donations also are being accepted under the “donate” button at: savecrheritage.org

Friends of Historic Preservation has an upcoming move planned, as well. The Houser-Metzger House, 422 Iowa Ave., a late Victorian Queen Anne-style home, will be moved later this spring. To donate, click here and select the “other” option for your contribution to go toward the house project.

Learn more about the donation here, and see more from today’s salvaging work, below: