Discover the hidden gem
of Mahaska County…
Daniel and Margaret Nelson settled their farm in 1843. They raised six children here. Two Civil War veteran mules made their home with the family. In 1958 when grandchildren Roy and Lillian died, the farm became the home of the Mahaska County Historical Society.
Since 1964 we have been honoring rural pioneer men and women, sharing details of their lives and thoughts in the places they lived and worked. Uncover the skills they had and the items they left behind.
Join us Tuesday through Saturday every summer for a quiet self-guided exploration or come on a special event day for programs and presentations of days gone by.
upcoming events & programs
Family All Ages
55th Annual Fall Festival
Join our celebration of pioneer living and fun-filled community event on Sat. Sept. 18. Food, music, crafts and games, historic harvesting demonstrations, and more. Be sure to enjoy our new activities! Event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission: $10 adults $5 students FREE Kids 5 & under FREE Historical Society Members Get your […]
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Last Day of the Season
Be sure to visit our site before we close for the season! Enjoy a self-guided tour or request a guided tour from our staff. Open by appointment with arrival times at 10a, noon, and 2p.
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Quarterly Meeting
Every quarter, members of the Historical Society enjoy a fellowship meal and program. It’s a great chance to connect with like-minded people and get updates about the site. Members are encouraged to bring a guest who may be interested in joining the Society. There will also be a brief business meeting for Society members for […]
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BECOME A MEMBER!
Join a vibrant community of members, volunteers, and donors that brings our mission to life! With affordable memberships for individuals and families, our members keep us engaged and are actively involved with MCHS. You can enjoy early registrations, member discounts to programs, and other perks year-round. Learn more here!