Please call our Director at 641-672-2989 or email them director@nelsonpioneer.org to get permission to come take photographs of the property. This is not an open site and permission is necessary so we can let our property caretaker know.
Open May through September
10:00 am – 4:00 pm Tuesday thru Saturday
By appointment only Sunday
Closed Monday
For Buses & Large Groups
Please make advance arrangements by calling (641) 672-2989
2211 Nelson Lane
P.O. Box 578
Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
Phone: (641) 672-2989
Welcome to the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum! We are open for the rest of the season until Oct. 1st.
Staff is in the office Tuesday thru Saturday from 10a to 4p.
We are currently accepting field trip reservations for Fall 2024 & Spring 2025.
We occasionally have events outside our regular season. Check out our special events on our Activities page.
Bradbury Hall is open for business year-round.
We accept and fulfill research requests year-round.
We look forward to your visit!
Flat rate daily fee available for events hosted by nonprofit organizations Mondays thru Thursdays.
Available with full day rentals only.
7 hour rental period falling between 8 a.m. and midnight. Minimum rental requirement for events on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Contract starts – 8 a.m.
Contract ends – Midnight
Ideal for luncheons, showers, graduation parties, birthday parties, reunions, awards receptions
Contract starts – 12 p.m. the day before the event
Contract ends – 12 p.m. the day after the event
Building usage – Day before event: 12 p.m. to midnight
Day of event: 8 a.m. to midnight
Day after event: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Standard wedding usage. (i.e. set up begins noon on Friday, the reception is Saturday, tear down finished by noon on Sunday)
**If you anticipate difficulties with set up and tear down in the allotted times above, we recommend considering the three day rental or adding the 4 hour add on or another half-day to your contract**
Contract starts – 8 a.m. on first day
Contract ends – Midnight on second day
Building usage – First day: 8 a.m. to midnight
Second day: 8 a.m. to midnight
Ideal for retreats, reunions, conferences
Contract starts – 8 a.m. the day before the event
Contract ends – Midnight the day after the event
Building usage – Day before the event: 8 a.m. to midnight
Day of event: 8 a.m. to midnight
Day after event: 8 a.m. to 10 midnight
Ideal for weddings with significant set up and/or tear down needs, having wedding couple open gifts with family
This is defined as the use of open areas of the grounds for an outdoor ceremony or other activity for your event (the client provides any furniture, sound system, tents, etc.). Photography using the exteriors of the buildings is included in the standard rental fee.
Beer and wine may be served on premises with the payment of the alcohol fee and providing a certificate of liability* from the client’s insurance company with minimum coverage of $1,000,000. Any cash bar or beer and wine sold must comply with Iowa state law and Renters must have proper licenses for the event. HARD LIQUOR IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE PREMISES.
*If your insurance does not provide single-day special event insurance, you may consider looking at www.wedsafe.com for a special policy.