Open May through October
10:00 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday thru Saturday
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday
Closed Monday
Buses and Tour Groups Welcome
Please make advance arrangements by calling (641) 672-2989
Genealogy Library Hours
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Tuesday & Thursday
during open season
Admission Fees
Adult $7.00
Student (age 5-16) $2.00
Child (under 5, with adult) FREE
Historical Society Member FREE
Individual Annual Member $10.00
Family Annual Member $18.00
Individual Lifetime Member $100.00
Family Lifetime Member $175.00

Copyright 2010-2013. Mahaska County Historical Society Inc. Site designed & hosted by


The first museum in Iowa to honor the pioneer farmer, Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum is operated by the Mahaska County Historical Society, Inc., a non-profit, educational institution. The compound now features historic buildings from all over Mahaska County, providing visitors a glimpse of what life was like for Iowans in 19th century America.
Founded in 1844, the Nelson homestead is one of the premier historic attractions in Mahaska County. The Nelson home, built in 1853, and the Nelson barn, built in 1856, are the focal point of the museum and are designated National Historic Sites by the U.S. Department of Interior.
Nelson Pioneer Farm Museum has several buildings on the grounds that can be toured inside and out. Most of these are handicap accessible. Many of these buildings have been moved from their original location to the farm for historic preservation. Both the Daniel Nelson home and barn sit in their original locations. The main museum houses several exhibits, including a quilt display, Indian artifacts, a miniature wooden circus and military memorabilia.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Spring Clean-Up
Spring is here at the Nelson Pioneer Farm - which means IT IS TIME TO CLEAN UP!
There will be a general grounds cleanup on April 9, 10 & 11 (Tuesday to Thursday) starting about 8 am every day. Come and join us - help as you can. Every hand and every minute helps! Thanks for your support - it is going to be a GREAT YEAR!
Simply Spring
Saturday, May 4
Quarterly Membership Meeting & Potluck
TOPIC: World War II in the South Pacific on the USS Honolulu
Monday, May 20
6:30-8:00 PM
Don Paustian of Toledo, Iowa, will give a presentation on “World War II in the South Pacific Onboard the USS Honolulu CL48.” Follow the life of a decorated light cruiser from her launching through the attack on Pearl Harbor and the battles to regain control of several South Pacific islands, to her being sold for scrap after the war ended. Don’s father served aboard the Honolulu, and Don has assembled pages of historical data, photos, and shells and projectiles of every size and type ever fired from the ship. The program is free and open to the public. Bring a dish to share and your own tableware.
This program was originally planned for the August 2012 meeting but was changed due to a scheduling conflict.
Memories and Mayflowers
Knots, Loops and Other Twisted Crafts
Saturday, June 7
Barn Dance
Thursday, June 20
The Ties That Bind
Saturday, July 13
Serenades and Sundaes
Saturday, August 10
Quarterly Membership Meeting & Potluck
TOPIC: TBA
Monday, August 19
6:30-8:00 PM
48th Annual Fall Festival
Saturday, September 21
Autumn's Adventures
Saturday, October 5
Barn Dance
Thursday, October 17
Put on your dancin' boots and join in!
Quarterly Membership Meeting & Potluck
TOPIC: TBA
Monday, November 18
6:30-8:00 PM
This meeting is open to the public. Bring your own tableware and a dish to share.