GET INVOLVED
Help Make the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum the best it can be!
Become a Member
The Mahaska County Historical Society is a member-driven organization. Members engage with our governing process by electing our Board of Directors and approving our operating budget annually. They are vital to our success and highly-valued for their passion, ideas, and commitment to the MCHS.
Member benefits include:
- Free, unlimited admission to Nelson Pioneer Farm during regular hours
- Early registration to special events and programs
- Special members-only admission rates to events and programs
- Quarterly newsletters
- 10% discount at our museum gift shop
- 10% discount on rental fee for Bradbury Hall (excludes security deposit and other fees)
A membership fellowship meeting and potluck dinner is held quarterly on the third Monday evening of the months of February, May, August, and November.
- $12 for Individuals
- $20 for Family/Grandparent
- $250 Lifetime Membership
Membership definitions
Individual memberships include a single person.
Family memberships cover couples and include all minor children living in the home. Grandparent memberships cover couples and any visiting grandchildren under 18 years of age accompanying the grandparent.
A lifetime family membership includes the married couple for both person’s lifetime, and any minor children either born or adopted to that family or minor grandchildren accompanying the membership holder.
Volunteer
Volunteers are the heart and soul of the MCHS. They repair and use our education and demonstration collections, lead school programs, maintain our historic buildings and property, and share their unique skills to keep history alive for our visitors.
We are currently seeking 5 (five) volunteers to process and research our historic artifacts. Interested in working with historic items? Please enter your contact information and areas of interest using the button below and we'll get in touch!
Become a Donor
Each year, generous donors contribute to the daily operations of the MCHS. These donations support exhibit development, public programming, artifact care, historic preservation, and other needs for the MCHS.
Mahaska County Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations to MCHS are tax deductible to the extent of the IRS tax code.
You may also donate historic artifacts to the MCHS. We actively collect items made in or connected to Mahaska County and its residents. We have an artifacts committee that determines if an artifact meets our mission. If you have an item you would like to donate, please send a picture and as many details as you have to Collections Manager Carly Bix at collections@nelsonpioneer.org or call 641-672-2989.
Special projects
First Floor Renovation
Bringing Back Buxton!
Built circa 1900, the Buxton house was built by the Consolidated Coal Company in the integrated mining town of Buxton in the SW portion of Mahaska County, on the Monroe County line. Buxton is a cherished piece of local, state, and national history because of its fair hiring practices and equal wages in the mines regardless of race. Described by many as a utopia for African-Americans in the early 20th century, Buxton was a community of immigrants, native-born whites, and African-American miners. The house was moved here in 2007 and is one of our most popular buildings to visit.
All donations are deeply appreciated, suggested giving levels are:
Shovel - $25
Scuttle - $100
Ore Cart - $250
Rail Car - $500