When Iowa Met Baseball
Sunday, October 20
FOR OVER 50 YEARS THE WEST DES MOINES HISTORICAL SOCIETY HAS ADVANCED THE MISSION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ACROSS IOWA AND VISITORS.
EXPERIENCE HISTORY
Experience The Jordan House, a stately Victorian home of Italianate Gothic design and Bennett School, one of the last one-room schoolhouses built in Iowa.
Plan your Visit >MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
West Des Moines Historical Society is dedicated to the mission of historic preservation and to educate public about our historic sites in Central Iowa.
Become a member >MAKE A DONATION
Your tax-deductible contribution supports community enrichment through education, preservation, and celebration of the history of the greater WDM area
Donate >HISTORY IS EVERYONE'S STORY.
EVERYONE HAS A STORY.
The pioneers who settled Iowa, the freed men and women who traveled across it and the families who now call it home. You’re invited to walk the hallways of the past, see Victorian elegance and hear stories of hardship and bravery as you become part of history.
THE JORDAN HOUSE MUSEUM GUIDED TOUR TIMES
Friday & Saturday
11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. & 1:00 p.pm. to 2:15 p.m.
West Des Moines Historical Society - Historic Buildings
THE JORDAN HOUSE MUSEUM
The Jordan House, a stately Victorian home of Italianate Gothic design, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program....
Read MoreTHE BENNETT SCHOOL MUSEUM
Built in 1926 or ’27 the Bennett School was one of the last one room schools to be built in West Des Moines and was in use until at least 1941. It was originally located on an acre of ground donated...
Read More
JORDAN HOUSE AND THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
The Underground Railroad was a loosely organized system for helping escaped slaves from the southern states reach freedom in the North or Canada in the years before the Civil War.
Read MoreRecent News
21
September
2019
Brothers in War- the Littletons
Now you can watch all the 2019/2020 Iowa Files educational programs, thanks to support from the members of the West Des Moines Historical Society and the Friends Foundation of the West Des Moines Public Library! The first program of the new series, “Brothers in War- the Littletons” is now available on the WDMHS YouTube channel…. View Article
13
September
2019
Holiday Open House
Visit the historic Jordan House Museum & Bennett School Museum Sunday, December 1 from 1-4pm and enjoy amazing decorations, tasty treats and family fun. Tickets are only $5 for adults, $3 for children (6-17). Tickets will give you access to both museums, and there will be a fun craft in the basement of Bennett School,… View Article