Built in 1838, relocated to Waterworks Park over a century ago, and named after the woman who suggested “Fairfield” as the moniker for our town, the “Bonnifield Cabin is the oldest dwelling, of any white man, still standing in Iowa,” wrote Susan Fulton Welty in A Fair Field.
These days, the Bonnifield Cabin is in need of some restorative work. Plans are underway, with the oversight of the Jefferson County Historic Preservation Commission and the help of a log cabin restoration expert who plans to begin the project later this year.
A quilt created by Kathy Tollenaere has been offered as a raffle prize to help fund the Bonnifield Cabin project. Tollenaere’s quilt is on display at Midwest One Savings Bank through June 19, and will be displayed in the lobby of Iowa State Bank from June 19 to July 20.
You can help with the Bonnifield Cabin Restoration Project in two ways:
Enter the quilt raffle. Pick up the addressed and stamped envelope provided at the display, record your name and full contact info on the index card contained inside, note the dollar amount (ticket price is issued on the display) and the number of tickets you’d like, then place the card along with your donation in the envelope and mail it. Upon receipt of your donation, you will receive an email/text with a photo of your raffle ticket numbers. The drawing will take place on August 3, 2026.
Make a direct donation to the cabin restoration fund by mailing your check (made out to JCHPC, with “Bonnifield Cabin” on the memo line) to: JCHPC—Bonnifield Cabin, c/o Joan Salts, 2223 185th Street, Fairfield, IA 52556. Donors are welcome to use the envelopes provided at the display.
“Thank you for your interest in maintaining our historical heritage!” says Tollenaere.