Delaware County Historical Society & Museum

A nonprofit organization

$856 raised by 11 donors

17% complete

$5,000 Goal


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

"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

"I wanted to post a HUGE THANK YOU to the wonderful docent (am guessing he does many other things, too!) who was so gracious with his time on Thurs., Aug. 6 in the afternoon as the trio from MN and CA passed through Hopkinton. Your work is amazing and I can't wait until I can spend a day going through all your buildings. Again, thank you and God bless your work!" - Jan Hoag

"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

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Delaware County Historical Society & Museum

Tax id (EIN)

42-1138582

Address

101 College St. NE College Square on Highway 38
Hopkinton, IA 52237-0070

Phone

563-926-2639