1 Museum Drive, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Welcome to the Iowa Heartland History Connection Museum, where the past comes alive. As the Wapello County Historical Society, we have been preserving the history and cultures of the region since 1959. Our museum features a collection of over 20,000 items, ranging from natural history to the pre-Columbian Amerindian life, early European and American settlers, 19th-century agricultural and industrial hub, Victorian America, and 20th and 21st-century Midwestern life. With our exhibits, you’ll experience a journey through time and gain a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse heritage of Iowa’s heartland. Come and visit us to discover the fascinating stories that shaped our past and continue to shape our future!
event, exhibit & research news
Posted from History of Wapello County, Iowa, by Harrison Lyman Waterman, 1914. Full text available here via archive.org “Gen. John M. Hedrick, a leading, energetic and public spirited citizen of former days, (who was instrumental in securing the Milwaukee road for Ottumwa) founded the city street car system in Ottumwa
In January, the Iowa Heartland History Connection hosted a traveling exhibit from the African American Museum of Iowa called “No Roads Lead to Buxton.” This exhibit along with a few Buxton artifacts on loan and the KYOU documentary “Remembering Buxton, Iowa: A Town Lost to Time” made the perfect combination
The Wapello County Historical Society Board of Directors is pleased to announce its campus’ new name: Iowa Heartland History Connection. In early 2020, the Wapello County Historical Society Board of Directors unanimously approved the purchase of a new campus and now has a new name that reflects its new location
support southeastern iowa’s rich history
Through your membership, you support children’s education, historical research services, community event spaces, and community enrichment programs.
As part of our commitment to serving you better, the Iowa Heartland History Connection will be temporarily closed during January and February 2025.
This strategic decision allows us to focus on planning exciting new exhibits, refreshing our space, and preparing for a vibrant spring season! Historically, these months see lower visitor traffic, making it the perfect time to enhance your future museum experience.
Thank you for your support, and we can’t wait to welcome you back in March with even more to explore and enjoy!
