In 2000 Ken Reed and friends approached the Hanover-Horton Area Historical Society with a bold proposal. Eighty-two plus acres of farmland adjacent to the museum had recently been listed for sale. The idea was to undertake a massive community fund-raising drive to raise the $180,000 needed to purchase this land. The land owner graciously cooperated allowing the men two years to raise the funds. The fund-raising goals were met and the land purchased. The tract of land was named Heritage Park and dedicated in 2002.