On this page:
About the Historical Society
Hours / Phone No. / email
Memberships / Artifacts / Information Requests
Links: Old WDM Photos /Rental Info.
West Des Moines Historical Society Board Members
Thanks to our corporate supporters
About the Historical Society - The idea of establishing a historical society for the City of West Des Moines was conceived in 1968 as plans were made for the city's Diamond Jubilee. Two years later, in 1970, the West Des Moines Historical Society was formed.
The mission of the Society is to promote and keep alive an active interest in the history of West Des Moines; and to acquire and preserve articles and materials which establish and illustrate the heritage and growth of West Des Moines.
To this end, the Society purchased the Jordan House in 1978. Through the efforts of the Society, the business community and the volunteer organizations of West Des Moines, the dream of transforming Jordan house into a museum became a reality. The major initial restoration was completed in 1993, the centennial year of West Des Moines.
Since that time the West Des Moines Historical Society has also acquired and restored the Bennett School, the last one room school houses built and used in West Des Moines. These two facilities together with the growing collections of memoribilia and historical information form the core of the West Des Moines Historical Society's collection.
If you have knowledge of significant events in West Des Moines, pictures from the past, or historical items relating to West Des Moines we would love to hear from you. If you have only time, we are always looking for volunteers and can help you with that too - and you'll get a lot of enjoyment out of it. In either event please contact us using the information below.
Hours / Phone No. / email - The office is open year round from 9-12 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The phone number is 515-225-1286 or you may use email - jordanhouse@dwx.com). Just call and ask for the secretary, Penny Schlitz. Anyone interested in volunteering for the West Des Moines Historical Society need only make their inclination known to Penny. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated.
Memberships / Artifacts / Information requests - The minimum fee for family membership in the West Des Moines Historical Society is $20 per year. ('Click' here to download a printable Application with full details.)
If you have photos (even recent ones if they are of a significant event in the history of W.D.M.), furniture, or memoribilia relating to the history of West Des Moines, the underground railroad, or the 'regular' railroads we need to hear from you. Too much that is illustrative of our history gets thrown out or given to children living elsewhere to whom it may just be "old stuff". We'd like to know of its existance and perhaps get a picture even if you don't want to consider a donation. Click here to send an email telling us what you have.
If you have an historical question or special interest (e.g. the underground railroad, one room schools, a period in the history of West Des Moines, the railroad) please let us know. We may have or be able to connect you with information that may be of interest. To ask your question or indicate your interest click here.
The work of the Historical Society is dependent upon contributions from the community; without this help we could not continue our restoration and preservation. We extent our special thanks to our various corporate and governmental sponsors. Please follow this link to see who they are and learn more about them.
