From the Museum
History
Keeping in Touch >>>
The Wapello County Historical Society
& Museum
210 W. Main Street Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
(641) 682-8676 Museum Hours:
Wednesday – Saturday 12 PM to 4 PM Admission:
$5 for adults
$3 Children 12 and under Society Membership:
Individual: year- $15; Lifetime - $150 Family: year - $25; Lifetime - $250 Business: year - $100
Corporate: year - $500
* Please contact the museum for special tour and group rates
Summer is always a busy time at a museum. From hosting the temporary World War One Honor Roll exhibit and end-of-school year class visits, to our speaker series, and vacationers, our museum is no exception.
If you have not had the opportunity to stop in and view the moving World War One Honor Roll exhibit, please do. It tells the state and local history of those that served our nation and allies around the globe to preserve democracy and freedom.
Our staff and volunteers have poured their hearts and souls into helping those special people’s experiences this exhibit and I think you will find it quite moving. It is open now through July 30th during museum hours.
In addition, Ottumwan Dave Gordy, a veteran and WWI expert, will be presenting a talk on the world War One Experience, in support of our exhibit. His presentation is July 25th, 5:00 PM, in the Railroad Clubhouse.
It is open to the public. We would
be honored to have you spend the evening with us.
As many of you have undoubtedly heard, Wapello County Genealogical Society is in the process of moving to a new location. We truly wish nothing but the absolute best for WCGS. However, as a non-profit organization ourselves, we must also be organizationally and fiscally responsible and careful stewards of the funds, donations, facilities, and treasured histories so greatly entrusted to us by all of you. Rest assured, as genealogy is a subset of history, we will always welcome and preserve genealogical research through our archives, library, and collection while we will also strive to use those same archives, library, and collection, among other resources, to tell the entire history of Wapello County, which includes genealogical information.
Stay tuned for exciting news forthcoming in the next few months!
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The Quarterly Newsletter of the Wapello County Historical Society & Museum 7.01.2019 WapelloCoHist
WapelloCoHist
WapelloCoHist
Eisenhower 3 rd Graders Visit
What a Beautiful Day for a Class Photo at the Fountain!
Meet Mike Dalbey
My name is Mike Dalbey and a lifetime resident of Ottumwa, Iowa. I attended Ottumwa schools in 1964 from
Ottumwa High School, subsequently, receiving an AA Degree from Indian Hills Community College and an M.S. in
Education degree and an M.A. degree in Counseling and Guidance from Truman University. My military service included a four-year tour in the U.S. Navy. My hobbies include woodworking.
My children include a daughter, Mindy Young, and a son, Matt Dalbey;
both, along with their families, reside in Ottumwa. Between them, they have provided me with five wonderful grandchildren.
Having a deep-seated interest and background in education, I ran for the Ottumwa School Board and have served on that board for more than three years.
I have always had a distant interest in Ottumwa and Wapello County history. Since retirement, I have had more time to pursue that interest and being a volunteer for the WCHS has opened the door for that pursuit.
We welcomed two classes of third graders, 44 in total!) from Eisenhower Elementary School to the museum on May 16th. They completed our scavenger hunt and left with nothing but smiles.
A strong contingent of members and volunteers helped make it a great success for all.
We cannot wait to see them again!
Board Member Spotlight >>>
Wapello County Historical Society Board
Society Officers:
Becky Frueh, President Jim Williams, Vice President John Cobler, Treasurer Jake McCoy, Secretary Dr. Rick L. Woten, Museum Society Directors:
Matthew Dalbey Mike Dalbey Dee Hall Tim Schwartz Judy Schweitzer Rick Sloan
Dale Essick Brings Iowaville to Life
On the evening of May 8, 2019, Dale Essick spoke before a nice group that gathered as part of our Speaker Series.
Essick set the mood for the talk with showcasing the Ioway, their culture, and their settlement. The audience learned of his many artifact finds over the years and their historical significance while getting the opportunity to see many of the real artifacts in person. His knowledge of the artifacts clearly conveyed a depth of knowledge and research reflective of his passion.
Please keep an eye on our calendar for future speakers and plan to spend the evening
learning about our history!
Horace Mann 3 rd Graders Visit
Students Listening Carefully to Their Teacher!
Thirty-six third graders, two classes, from Horace Mann Elementary School spent the afternoon with us at the museum on May 22th. Members and volunteers helped the classes navigate the museum, teachers pointed out exciting historical finds, and students asked and answered many questions.
The constant chatter and excitement was music to our ears!
Did You Know >>>
Want the Newsletter Via Email?
We provide a hard-copy mailed newsletter to all members as a benefit of membership. However, some members have inquired about the possibility of receiving the newsletter via email only.
We are glad to set this up. If you would like to receive the newsletter via email only, please drop us an email and let us know at what email address you would like it sent. Please send your requests to wchmdir@wapellocountymuseum.com and we will get it all set up!
Despite the air conditioning an p.a.
system deciding to go on vacation, board member and guest speaker Mr.
Jim Williams entertained a full house as he recounted the early history of John Morrell and Company. Williams noted that despite the hard feelings regarding Morrell’s departure from Ottumwa in 1973, the company and its founders had a long tradition of contributing to the community and help grow Ottumwa and the region in its early years.
Coming Up at the Museum…
July 2019
July 1 - 30, 2019 – WWI Honor Roll Exhibit July 24, 2019 - Board Meeting, Time: 5:00 PM
July 25, 2019 – Speaker Series Presents – “The World War One Experience” by Mr. Dave Gordy, Time: 5:00 PM
August 2019
August 28, 2019 – Monthly Board Meeting, Time: 5:00 PM
September 2019
September 14, 2019 – Pioneer Day; 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM September 25, 2019 – Monthly Board Meeting, Time: 5:00 PM
*** Please see the museum’s web site for additional calendar events as they are announced.
Board Member Jim Williams Takes Audience
Down Memory Lane
Events & Happenings at the Museum
Did You Know?
Appreciation to Public Service Exhibit
Museum members and volunteers have been hard at work expanding and developing an “Appreciation to Public Service” exhibit in the lower level of the museum.
Featured are artifacts from The Wapello county volunteer fire department, the Ottumwa Fire Department, Wapello County and Ottumwa law Enforcement, and Ottumwa Water Works.
We are appreciative of Foudree’s Graphics & Signs, Heritage by Cobler for making some sharp- looking banners!
Stop in and see it today!
Ottumwa Christian School Visits Museum
Eighteen eager students accompanied their teachers and chaperones from Ottumwa Christian School on a visit to the Museum on May 30th.
Student, teachers, parents, and volunteers were all smiles as students scoured the museum for answers to our Wapello County history scavenger hunt. We cannot wait to have them visit again!
Did you know that the museum is designated as a Senior Community Service Employment Program host site?
Did you know we are currently looking for someone we can host?
The position would entail 20 to 25 hours of paid work each week and get to experience many different facets of the museum and be an integral part of our team!
For more information and to see if you might be a good fit, please contact the museum and visit the site:
https://www.seniorserviceamerica.org/our-impact/our-programs/scsep/
In recognition of the centennial anniversary of World War One, the Wapello County Historical Society Museum, with support from the State Historical Society of Iowa Museum, announces it will host the World War One Honor Roll Exhibit from June 27th through July 30th.
The World War I Honor Roll features thousands of names and corresponding photos collected from Iowa families who lost loved ones during the war. As we reflect on the war’s 100th anniversary, the exhibit pays a tribute to a generation of Iowans who sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom.
It is our pleasure to extend free admission to the exhibit for all military veterans!
Museum Hosts WWI Honor Roll Exhibit on the
Great War’s Centennial
Anniversary
Name______________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________
City___________________________________
State_________________ Zip______________
Phone_________________________________
Email address___________________________
Type of Membership Desired
_____ Renewal at previous membership level
_____Individual ($15.00 per year) _____Individual Life ($150.00) _____ Family ($25.00) _____Family Life ($250.00 per year)
_____Business ($100.00 per year) _____Corporate ($500.00 per year) Additional Names (Family Memberships) _____________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Remember special birthdays, holiday, and anniversaries with a Gift Membership.
This is a Gift Membership For:
Name______________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________
City___________________________________
State__________________ Zip_____________
Phone__________________________________
E-mail address___________________________
Come Join Us...
Annual Membership
The Wapello County Historical Society appreciates member support. Thanks to the generous support of our growing membership, the Wapello County Historical Society and its Museum continue to move forward into the 21st century and provide valuable historical programming throughout the community.
Annual membership includes:
• Our quarterly newsletter
• E-news updates
• Free museum admission
• Free or discounted admission for museum programs
• Invitations to exhibitions &
special events I would like to give a tax deductible donation of
$_________________
I would like more information about volunteering!
Please return this completed form with payment to:
Wapello County Historical Society 210 W. Main Street
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
We thank you for all you do to keep our community’s
history alive!
You...
thank
Finding An Agent That’s Right For You
In Memoriam
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of members we have lost. Their caring, compassion, and desire to see our community’s history preserved is greatly missed but not forgotten.
Daniel Efner * John Hennen
210 W. Main Street Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
Class Reunion & History >>>
Class reunion coming up? Looking for event space and nostalgic things for alums to do while back in town?
Consider renting the Railroad Clubhouse for your registrations or gatherings and arranging a group or individual visits to the museum!
Did you know that you can shop with Amazon and help the museum?
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Go to: https://smile.amazon.com/
Select: “Wapello County Historical Society”
