West Des Moines Historical Society Logo
  • Visit Us
    • Weekly Open House Tours
    • Private Group & School Tours
    • Virtual 3-D Tour
  • Live Virtual School Tours & Educator Videos
  • The Underground Railroad Museum
  • Events and Programs
    • 2025/2026 Iowa Files
    • James Jordan Scholars Leadership Institute
    • Step Back in Time Book Group
    • Heritage Jubilee
  • Special Events & Private Rentals
  • Support
    • Legacy Woods
    • Support
    • Donate
    • Volunteering
    • Become a Member
    • Matching Gifts
    • Our Corporate Sponsors
    • Pathway to History
  • Historic Log Cabin
  • About Us
    • Jordan House Gardens
    • Our People
    • Work With Us
    • Speakers Bureau
    • Collections and Acquisition Policy
    • Online Collections Database
    • Educational Videos
    • Blog
    • Exhibits
    • Gift Shop
    • The Jordan House Museum
    • The Bennett School Museum
  • Contact Us
West Des Moines Historical Society Logo
  • Visit Us
    • Weekly Open House Tours
    • Private Group & School Tours
    • Virtual 3-D Tour
  • Live Virtual School Tours & Educator Videos
  • The Underground Railroad Museum
  • Events and Programs
    • 2025/2026 Iowa Files
    • James Jordan Scholars Leadership Institute
    • Step Back in Time Book Group
    • Heritage Jubilee
  • Special Events & Private Rentals
  • Support
    • Legacy Woods
    • Support
    • Donate
    • Volunteering
    • Become a Member
    • Matching Gifts
    • Our Corporate Sponsors
    • Pathway to History
  • Historic Log Cabin
  • About Us
    • Jordan House Gardens
    • Our People
    • Work With Us
    • Speakers Bureau
    • Collections and Acquisition Policy
    • Online Collections Database
    • Educational Videos
    • Blog
    • Exhibits
    • Gift Shop
    • The Jordan House Museum
    • The Bennett School Museum
  • Contact Us

Membership & Support

West Des Moines Historical Society is a privately funded nonprofit institution that relies on the generosity of its friends and supporters. Help us preserve the legacy through membership.

Become a member today >

Guided Public Tours

Jordan House tours are offered Friday and Sunday at 11am & 1:30pm.
Jordan House tours will require a ticket purchase in advance.


For more information or to reserve a ticket, please see "Plan Your Visit"

ASL interpretation is available for private tours. Please call (515) 225-1286 at least 2 weeks in advance.

School groups, private groups and virtual tours of the Jordan House Museum and Bennett School Museum can be scheduled Monday-Thursday and other times, based on staffing. Please call (515) 225-1286 for more information.

Upcoming Events

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11/3/25: Making Memories & Leaving a Legacy

 

 

9/12/25: Research and Artificial Intelligence

 

 

4/16/25: James Jordan & the Railroads

 

4/2/25: Carlin Family Memories

 

1/25/25: Model A Manifold Cooking

 

10/24/24: Valley Junction Fire Department

 

 

2/12/24: New panels in Underground Railroad Exhibit

 

 

12/22/22: Secret Society Fights to Save Building & History

 

10/3/22: Central Iowa Historical Societies

 

5/18/22: Quilting & the UGRR

 

 

5/2/22: Mysterious Photograph

 

 

3/24/22: Clegg Octagonal House

 

2/14/22: The Language of Flowers

 

 

 

1/24/22: Ashworth Brother Kidnapping

 

 

 

12/28/21: Amelia Earhart in Iowa

 

 

 

10/25/21: “Amazing Opportunity For a Student!”

 

 

 

9/30/21: Forever Free Adds Two New Sites to Network to Freedom

 

 

 

8/25/21: One Room Schools

 

7/20/21: Meet The Blogger!

 

 

6/21/21: Juneteenth

 

 

6/1/2021: National Pen Pal Day

 

 

Map showing the major Underground Railroad routes leading to Canada and Mexico5/26/2021: The Underground Railroad to Mexico

 

 

5/12/2021: The Fab Four In Newton & Winterset

 

 

two faux ice cream sundaes

4/12/2021: Ice Cream That Doesn’t Melt! 

3/29/2021: Forever Free Project

 


3/23/2021: Historical Phrases

 

 


3/8/2021: A Word About History

 

 


2/14/2021: Vinegar Valentines

Plan Your Visit

  • Plan your Visit
  • Directions & Parking
  • Photo Gallery

Membership & Support

  • Become a Member
  • Corporate Sponsorship
  • Make a Donation
  • Newsletter

History & Preservation

  • City of West Des Moines
  • West Des Moines History
  • Historical Artifacts
  • The Jordan House Museum
  • The Bennett School Museum

About Us

  • Mission and Vision
  • Board of Directors
  • Employment
  • Volunteer With Us
  • Internship
Connect with us

2001 Fuller Road | West Des Moines, IA 50265 | 515.225.1286
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