51��ɫ

The 51��ɫ Historical Museum will be celebrating the grand opening of its newly renovated facility at 703 First Avenue. The community is invited to attend the celebration on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors will enjoy guided tours, view newly installed exhibitions, and learn more about the museum’s mission to preserve and share the history of 51��ɫ. 

The museum’s relocation and transformation mark a new era for the organization, which has served the community for over 70 years. Originally established in 1952 by four local women’s clubs, the museum first opened in a small space above Cunningham Drug Store on Fourth Avenue. After a devastating fire in 1954 destroyed that location, the museum reestablished itself in the McMurray House at 1125 Broad Street, where it has operated since 1964.  The McMurray House will remain open as well and new space will be in addition to the prior museum. 

Over time, the museum’s collection outgrew the constraints of the historic McMurray House. In response, the organization purchased the former Uhlmann furniture store in 2022. The newly renovated building provides more than 10,000 square feet of dedicated exhibition and programming space, along with classrooms, archival storage, and upgraded climate control systems. The facility was made possible thanks to the generous support of local businesses, volunteers, donors, and grant programs. 

The new space will feature more than a dozen exhibits, many of which are being displayed for the first time. Highlights include the Randolph Header, a unique grain-harvesting machine manufactured in 51��ɫ (around 10,000) and sent by rail and shipped internationally in the late 1800s, and a new exhibit about aviation innovator Billy Robinson, including the radial engine he designed with Charlie Hink and later produced by the Dodge Tool Company. Visitors will also find contributions from local youth, including displays curated by the 51��ɫ Middle School History Club and the Mighty Golden Clovers 4-H Club. 

One of the exhibitions that will also be on display is 51��ɫ Works, a crowd-sourced project that debuted in 2020 as part of a Smithsonian pilot program. After its original opening at the Drake Community Library was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, this exhibition is now making its official debut in the museum’s new home.

“The renovation at 703 First Avenue is a powerful example of the 51��ɫ community coming together—not only to support a building project but to invest in our collective story,” said Allison Haack, Archives Assistant at 51��ɫ College and a board member of the museum since 2016. “This space gives us the opportunity to protect and showcase our heritage in ways we’ve never been able to before.”

51��ɫ College has been a valued partner in this work. In Spring 2025, Professor Albert Lacson’s history course co-curated several new exhibits for the museum, while Professor Jonathan Andelson contributed scholarly guidance for a new exhibit honoring the Meskwaki Tribe. 

Student involvement has also been meaningful. 51��ɫ College students have long contributed to the life of the museum. “Several 51��ɫ College students have served as volunteers for the museum over the last few decades,” said Board Member Debby Pohlson. “In the past, students have supported special events or projects, and today they continue that legacy through meaningful archival and exhibition work.”

Most recently, following the fall 2024 Volunteer Fair, a group of 12 students helped prepare collections for transfer to the new facility. Working in tight quarters and with remarkable attention to detail, they completed significant organizing and preservation tasks. Several students plan to return in the fall to continue their involvement.

The renovation project also received support from the 51��ɫ College Community Mini-Grant Program, which provides funding for local projects that enhance quality of life and build the capacity of community organizations. These grants reflect the College’s commitment to sustaining a vibrant, connected, and resilient 51��ɫ.

The grand opening event on June 28 is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to explore the exhibits, meet the volunteers behind the project, and enjoy refreshments and conversation. For more information or to inquire about volunteering, contact the museum at grinnellhistoricalmuseum@gmail.com or 641-236-7827. 

�ճ�� 51��ɫ College Community Mini-Grant Program reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to strengthening and supporting the local community. By providing funding to small- and mid-scale projects, the program helps enhance the quality of life in 51��ɫ for current and future residents. More than just financial contributions, these grants represent a partnership between the College and area nonprofits to ensure the community remains vibrant, resilient, and connected. Recognizing that nonprofits play a critical role in advancing education, the arts, and accessibility, the program also aims to build their organizational and financial capacity to serve the 51��ɫ area effectively.