Copyright 2010-2019. Mahaska County Historical Society Inc. Site designed & hosted by
Open May through September
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
Ask the Curator via e-mail
Genealogy Library Hours
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Tuesday & Thursday
during open season
Admission Fees
$ 7.00 - Adult
$ 2.00 - Student (age 6-18)
FREE - Child (5 & under, with adult)
FREE - Historical Society Member
$ 2.00 - K-12 Education Groups
$ 5.00 - Groups of 10+
Our school programs will enrich your classroom curriculum with hands-on activities that meet at least one Iowa Core standard in social studies, STEM, or 21st century skills.
Field trips typically last between 2 and 2 1/2 hours, allowing students to go through 4-6 interactive stations. Students are divided into groups of 8-10 students with a minimum of one adult chaperone per group. Each activity lasts between 15-20 minutes. If requested, a lunch break may be scheduled in the middle of your visit to correspond with the students' regular lunch period.
All of our stations are managed by a dedicated group of volunteers. In order to best accommodate our volunteers' schedules, multiple schools with small groups may be scheduled at the same time. Schools will remain in their own groups, but another school may join the rotation of stations. The curator will discuss this option when you plan your visit.
Most of our activities meet elementary school standards (see tab), however, we are happy to work with older students on a specialized tour of specific buildings to supplement your curriculum. Feel free to give us a call to discuss your class's needs.
The typical visit consists of: Nelson House tour, laundry with washtub and wringer at the Summer Kitchen, visit to the Prine country school, butter-making or other activity in the Littler Cabin, milking Lillie the cow in the Nelson Barn, and a visit to Mott's General Store.
Please let the curator know if you want your students to visit the gift shop so the museum building will be factored into your schedule.
Call or email Margaret at 641-672-2989 or curator@nelsonpioneer.org to schedule a visit!
2019 Field Trips