Summary
Organization name
Delaware County Historical Society & Museum
Tax id (EIN)
42-1138582
Address
101 College St. NE College Square on Highway 38Hopkinton, IA 52237-0070
About
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The Delaware County Historical Society is a ten building complex, which has been developed into a museum. Home of the former Lenox College, it is located in Hopkinton, Iowa. DCHS is focused on preserving the past, in the present, for the future.
We are not only a society, but the best kept secret in Delaware County. Our museum houses the history of Delaware County through artifacts and documents in each building. All cities and townships in the county are represented here at the Society.
This year, DCHS has partnered with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to bring this program to Delaware County. This early Childhood educational program offers free books monthly to children from birth to age 5, who are residents of Delaware County Iowa! The first five years is one of the most important times in a child's development to instill a love of reading and imagination.
In the past five years, many big projects have been completed at the museum. Some of these projects include tuckpointing and repairing windows at Old Main, repairing the stained glass windows and the outside of the R.P. Church, restoring the caboose, replacing an entire block of sidewalk on the outside premise, refinishing our whispering bench, and cleaning and restoring our Civil War Monument.
On the agenda for this year, is continuing the side walk restoration, revamping Gearhart's Garden to be recognized on the State Butterfly Registry, and structural engineering to Clark Hall, which is our Womens Doormatory.
The Museum is visited during our open season starting in June through the end of September by many people across the United States. The buildings are open for tours. Educational programs are included during our events.
Campus Fundraising events include: Maple Syrup Day, Civil War Days, Butterfly Release, Lenox College Day, Paranormal Conference, The Haunting, and the Radio Dinner Theater.
We continue to work with our local library to bring more events to our campus. These events include the Color Run, the Haunting, and hopefully more to come.
The Museum also includes educational presentations, school tours, luncheons, weddings, funeral dinners, antique markets, auctions, receptions, fundraisers, tractor-cades, automobile tours and cemetery walks.
The Delaware County Historical Society keeps the history of Delaware County housed through the historical buildings at Lenox College. Being endowed, we are able to keep the museum updated, continue to provide educational programs, and house the history of Delaware County. We thank you for your support.
Testimonials
"My name is Hannah & I’ve lived within a few block radius of The Delaware County Historical Museum for 30 of my 34 years of life. Around here we lovingly refer to the museum as “The Campus” as it was once home to Lenox College.
Growing up so close, my family always participated in their annual events which brought the entire area together in celebration of our beautifully preserved treasure, but it wasn’t until high school that I came to learn the true importance of the Delaware County Historical Society’s mission in preserving the history not just of Hopkinton, but of greater Delaware County & beyond.
While volunteering as a teenager to give tours, I met so many people from all over the world that came to visit the museum after word of mouth accounts of all it had to offer found them. It didn’t take long for their curiosity & ultimately their enthusiasm for everything those buildings contain became contagious. From the lineage of local families to the historical artifacts; the first hand accounts in authentic historical journals to the absolute breathtaking beauty of such well kept buildings & grounds- there truly is something for everyone!
Now, as an adult with my own family, I feel very strongly about continuing to volunteer my time to help the Delaware County Historical Society in their mission to preserve history, educate & bring people together. Whether it be through monetary donations, gifts, visiting or volunteering, your contribution will give you peace of mind that future generations will have tangible examples of history- things you cannot experience online." - Hannah Davis
"Love all the history and details in the actual setting of the old college campus. Felt like I was here when history happened." - Rosie Feldmann
"The wide variety of exhibits. No matter how many times I've been there I always find something I didn't see at the previous visits." - Nikie Wear-Busch
"There is a lot to see. Beautiful grounds with awesome buildings and artifacts. Delaware County is lucky to have this place. Thanks for all the hospitality." - Mark Nosbisch
"Had a wonderful experience on a very warm day. Was totally amazed how well this very old "college" presents itself. Lots to take in. Museum volunteers had a great lunch for the group I was with- held in the gymnasium. The grounds are beautiful, with all the work done by the volunteers. Worth the time to see." - Rosa Boisen
"Very enjoyable wonderfully nice people." - Jon McDowell
"If you ever get the opportunity to visit when the museum is open, do so. Take a walk through Iowa history." - Lea Clark
"I love history. That's why i got married there." - Marisa Summers
Media gallery
Organization Data
Hopkinton, IA 52237-0070