The Telling of Grinnell Stories: Experiencing the Grinnell Historical Museum

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

Chamber ambassadors who attended this ribbon-cutting include the following individuals, from left to right:

• Fran Conn
• Jack Matthews
  Our Grinnell
• Jennifer McAlexander
  JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security
• Dorothy Spriggs
  Carriage House Bed & Breakfast
• Hannah Greene
  Bayer Crop Science
• Joni Schmidt
  The Mayflower Community
• Donna Fischer
  UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center
• Lisa Cirks
  Cirks Financial Services
• Ashley Symbol
  First State Bank
• Donnette Ellis
  Grinnell College
• Erin Bustin
  Grinnell School of Music
• Brad German
  GreenState Credit Union
• Jess Dawson
  REMAX Partners Realty- Grinnell
• Desiree Strayer
  German Plumbing Heating and Cooling
• Yesenia Mozo
  Grinnell Chamber
• Alathia Andera
  Poweshiek County 4-H
• Nikki Armstead
  Grinnell Chamber
• Claire Burch
  Temp Associates Grinnell
• Ann Igoe
  Grinnell Historical Museum
• Trent Armstead
  MCG - Mahaska Communication Group
• Kody Bigelow
  Walmart Grinnell
• Brandy Virchow
  B. Nicole Salon
• Kevin McAlexander
  Hawkeye Lock & Security
• Isaiah McAlexander
  Hawkeye Lock & Security