Come May, Clinton will unveil a completely new storytelling experience. A story that is rooted in its lumber heritage and brought to life through the art of Thomas Dambo.
The Sawmill Museum is inviting volunteers to be part of that story by helping construct three large-scale troll sculptures throughout the month of April.
These trolls, designed by internationally recognized artist Thomas Dambo, will be hand-built from reclaimed wood and placed throughout the community. Known for creating monumental sculptures using recycled materials, Dambo’s work encourages communities to reconnect with their environment while reimagining how they use or misuse resources.
“The trolls know Clinton’s story. They witnessed it—or so the story goes,” Andy Green, Sawmill Museum Director shared. “With volunteering with the troll construction, the community has a chance to help tell it.”
Volunteer Opportunities
With three build sites active throughout April, there are flexible opportunities for volunteers to participate. No prior construction experience, but it is preferred. If you don’t have build experience, then ability to volunteer often is suggested—just a willingness to help and be part of something memorable. The builds start after Easter and go to May 1.
Volunteers will:
• Assist in assembling large-scale wooden structures
• Work alongside project organizers and fellow community members
• Help run items
• Food!
How to Sign Up
Volunteers are encouraged to register in advance to secure a time slot.
This Spring, build with Thomas Dambo in Clinton, IA! | PlanHero
From Forest to River to Art: Clinton’s Lumber Story Reimagined Through Troll Sculptures
Along the banks of the Upper Mississippi River, timber fell and transported creating a rich lumber industry. With Dambo a new chapter of Clinton’s history is taking shape; one that connects forests, industry, and art in an unexpected way.
Beginning in May, three towering troll sculptures will appear across Clinton, each built from reclaimed wood and rooted in the region’s deep lumber legacy.
Where the Story Begins
Long before Clinton became a lumber powerhouse, vast forests stretched across what is now Wisconsin and Minnesota. These northern woods fed a growing nation, with logs sent downstream along the Mississippi River transforming the river into a corridor of westward expansion.
Those logs found their way to Clinton, where sawmills once lined the riverbanks. At its peak, the city became one of the most significant lumber processing centers in the country. And just as quickly as it rose, the industry faded which left behind a complicated legacy that shaped the community’s identity but also was so short of a time period, it had limited lasting impact.
The Wood Behind the Trolls
Today, that legacy is being retold—using wood that carries its own story.
• Dimensional lumber used in the trolls comes from salvaged logs around Valley Oaks Golf Course
• The wood was milled locally by Retired With Wood, operated by Tim Fuller and Eric Strackbein, producing over 800 board feet
The trolls’ outer cladding carries even deeper historical significance:
• Wood reclaimed from the Eagle Point Park Lodge revealed planks stamped with the name “Joyce”—a direct connection to the Joyce Lumber Company of Lyons/Clinton origin
• The lodge, built in the 1930s, likely sourced its materials from southern lumber yards tied to Clinton’s industrial past
Together, these materials create sculptures that are not just art—but artifacts of a continuing story.
Art Meets Ecology and Community
Inspired by the work of Thomas Dambo, the trolls reflect themes of reuse, sustainability, and environmental awareness. Built from discarded and reclaimed materials, they challenge visitors to see value in what might otherwise be thrown away.
Anchored by the Sawmill Museum
This project is led by the Sawmill Museum, an organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting Clinton’s lumber heritage. Open seven days a week, the museum connects visitors to the tools, stories, and people that built the region.
