The Grinnell Historical Museum is re-opening in 18 days — and it’s bigger, educational, and more wheelchair accessible than ever! Board member Ann Igoe is one of many at the center of its grand re-opening, committed to sharing the unique stories of Grinnell and its residents.
Back in November 2022, the Grinnell Historical Museum was a shell of itself. But as Igoe and her team cleaned and re-painted the space, the museum revealed itself to be the perfect treasure trove for Grinnell’s stories.
One of the first stories that the museum will display is the beginnings of Grinnell, detailing the contributions of the Meskwaki nation and the town’s abolitionist namesake, J.B Grinnell. “I was so excited that the Meskwaki nation agreed to contribute to the exhibit,” shared Igoe. “The history behind [Grinnell’s beginnings] is just fascinating.”
Along with the beginnings of Grinnell, you can expect an exhibition showcasing the aftermath of Grinnell’s 1882 cyclone disaster, too. “After the cyclone hit, J.B Grinnell went everywhere to gather money and build the town back to what it was," Igoe told Chamber Ambassadors.
Although J.B Grinnell was significant in shaping the town’s history, Igoe emphasized that the museum will share more than one person’s story, such as those of his daughter, who was instrumental in beginning the local high school’s first Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
And when it comes to Grinnell’s participation in the Underground Railroad, the system that helped escape enslaved folks before the Civil War was not purely the work of J.B Grinnell. “There were other participants, too, but that story rarely gets told,” Igoe remarked. “So we want to tell the full story.”
Other notable highlights coming to the museum are exhibits about the Jewel Box Bank, pianist Isabella Beaton, and aviator Billy Robinson, who set distance records and died trying to achieve an altitude record. One piece from his airplane was hauled into the museum by 8 people and drilled to the wall, ready for visitors to take a look! Beaton’s piano will also be on display — Beaton, who grew up in Grinnell, was a composer who played internationally. Her first concert was at Grinnell College…at the age of 12! Though the museum is still collecting antique furnishing and storage materials, they have been receiving contributions from many groups, including a 1996 quilt from the newly formed Middle School History club.
The museum will also have a gift shop and rotating exhibits every six months. Igoe noted the board’s commitment to making the museum an affordable experience, too, capping tickets at $10 for visitors — to be used to preserve Grinnell’s history.
“Once you know the story behind the exhibits,” commented Igoe, “you can start connecting one story to another. You can find a story almost out of anything, and that’s the fun part.”
The stories of Grinnell’s history are waiting for you, so celebrate the Grinnell Historical Museum with a visit! On June 28, there will also be an open house from 3-5 PM with a ribbon cutting held at 3:30 PM to commemorate the new space. That evening, a concert fundraiser (tickets at $75) featuring the Mojos (yes, from the 60s!) and Whiplash will be held at Hotel Grinnell! The Mojos were inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame so don’t miss your chance to see them and support the Historical Museum at the same time!
Chamber Ambassadors (from left to right):
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One small correction to the Billy Robinson story - We have a radial engine designed by Billy Robinson and Charlie Hink. The engine was designed before Billy died and they were trying to sell it to the Army for their planes. After Billy died they did not pursue a contract any longer. In 1918 the Army asked the Dodge Tool Company in Grinnell to make a sample engine for their consideration. This is the engine we have.
Ann Igoe
| grinnellhistoricalmuseum@gmail.com
| 06/13/2025 3:26 PM
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