We’re Growing!
The West Des Moines Historical Society is pleased to announce the acquisition of three acres of land next to the Jordan House Museum at 2001 Fuller Road. Funds for the purchase of this land were provided by the
Stitches In Time
New Exhibit at the Jordan House Museum
Opening Friday, March 18
Quilts are functional art. Lovingly stitched together, combining memories and meaning in every scrap of fabric. Whether it’s a crazy quilt using pieces of clothing from family members to whole cloth quilts created by a community during a bee, quilts offer warmth,
Read More...Black History Month: Jefferson Logan
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- Jeff Logan ca. 1885; Special Collections, State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines.
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- The Register and Leader (Des Moines, Iowa), 18 December 1908, p 10, c.6.
Jefferson Logan (1836-1927)
Jefferson Logan was born 21 October 1836 in Missouri and became a freedom seeker in 1862. Logan’s “father was able to buy freedom for himself, his wife and one son,” but not for Jeff and his brother Mose.” Eventually, Logan’s brother Moses Logan Rodgers became free when sent to the gold mines in California in 1849. However, various sources disagree about the specific chain of events that led to
Read More...Black History Month: Henry & Jennie Bell
Henry Bell. Photo was allegedly taken at the Jordan House.
As we observe Black History Month in February, we’d like to introduce you to African Americans
Read More...Iowa Files; Doors to the Past; Sherman Hill
The recording of the January 16 Iowa Files presentation is now available on our YouTube channel. You can watch it here.
Des Moines’ oldest neighborhood, Sherman Hill was named a historic district in 1979. Original residents, Hoyt Sherman and James Savery were contemporaries of the Jordan family, and the area is home to amazing architecture and a story of the journey from blight to beauty. Jack Porter shared stories and pictures documenting the before
Read More...Free Tour in Honor of MLK Jr. Day in West Des Moines
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the West Des Moines Historical Society and the City of West Des Moines are proud to offer a free tour of the historic Jordan House Museum Sunday, January 16, between 11am-2pm.
In addition, each family or group will
Read More...Online Inventory Database
We are committed to providing access to West Des Moines’ history, and we are proud to launch our new online inventory database.
Many items at the Jordan House are incredibly fragile, so they aren’t on display, but they have a story to tell. This ongoing project makes these tucked away treasures
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2022 MLK Jr. Day Awards
The Planning Committee for the 2022 West Des Moines Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is seeking nominations for persons who demonstrate leadership and volunteerism while making significant contributions in the areas of promoting peace and understanding; celebrating diversity,
Iowa Files- Latino Lives in Valley Junction Recording Available
Vince Valdez, a lifelong West Des Moines resident, has spent decades researching and recording the history of Latinos in Valley Junction. Many families immigrated to Iowa to work on the railroads and stayed to raise families and contributed to our rich and diverse community!
If
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