The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has released its list of new Iowa Great Places, and Washington was selected as one of the cities. Washington now joins a select group of cities that have collectively received more than $22 million in state support since the program started in 2005.

In their press release, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs remarked about Washington’s history and what type of future plans lay ahead. “Washington has a proud history of arts and theater, notably the State Theatre, the world’s oldest continuously operating movie theater. The former Graham Opera House was once the site of shows presented by film pioneers Frank and Indiana Brinton. The community is also home to three historic districts, including one that surrounds Central Park. The city of Washington will be the primary coordinator of the new Iowa Great Place project plans.”

This designation concludes a multi-year effort by the City of Washington to be officially recognized as one of Iowa’s Great Places.