Log Cabin

West Des Moines Historical Society Announcment

Home for the Holidays

Tours Saturday, December 7

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.

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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.

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MAKE A DONATION

Your tax-deductible contribution supports community enrichment through education, preservation, and celebration of the history of the greater WDM area

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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 TOUR TIMES

Friday and Sunday at the Jordan House Museum

West Des Moines Historical Society - Historic Buildings

THE JORDAN HOUSE MUSEUM

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....

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THE BENNETT SCHOOL MUSEUM

THE 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...

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Railroad

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.

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Recent News

Adopt a Log

Help us bring a historic log cabin to the Legacy Woods Historic Campus! The West Des Moines Historical Society has taken possession of the historic Nolte/Lynn log cabin from the State Historical Society of Iowa, and plans are to rebuild it near the historic Jordan House Museum and incorporate the stories of early pioneers into… View Article

Baker McFadden Legacy Circle Open House

What will be your legacy? Whether your passion lies in preservation, education or nature, the West Des Moines Historical Society has opportunities for you to cement your legacy through our programs. Learn more at an open house Thursday, October 24, take a tour of the historic Jordan House Museum and learn more about opportunities to… View Article

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