Camp Algona POW Museum

08/31/2026

⭐️ New museum hours starting September 1 ⭐️

Starting tomorrow, September 1, the Camp Algona POW Museum will be open:

Saturdays & Sundays | 1:00–4:00 p.m.

These are our regular hours through the fall, winter and spring. Plan a weekend visit to explore the WWII history that happened right here in Iowa. pwcampalgona.org

08/31/2026

John Moeller and his son, Sebastian, recently visited us from Omaha. John's grandfather was a POW at a different camp during World War II, and that family connection sparked John's interest in learning more about the experiences and stories of POWs around the country.

He remembered his grandfather telling stories about some of the people he met while he was a POW and how kindly he was treated. Years later, his grandfather even reconnected with one of the guards.

It's a great example of the relationships that developed between POWs and the people in the communities where they were held.

That connection is part of the story we tell at Camp Algona, too. Our exhibits include stories about area residents and their involvement with the camp and the prisoners held here.

Thanks for visiting, John and Sebastian!

08/28/2026

If you visited us recently, chances are you talked to one of the students who joined our team at the Camp Algona POW Museum this summer.

We were glad to have Alejandro and Waverly with us as docents and Faith as an intern. We appreciate the time, energy and smiles they brought to the museum and are grateful for their help.

Thanks, and best wishes for a wonderful school year!

08/24/2026

Here's something most people don't expect: Camp Algona had its own orchestra!

Led by Willie Schoebel, a group of POW musicians formed a 15 piece orchestra that performed at special events. Another POW, Alfons Johann, even saved his money to buy a guitar so he could play for his fellow prisoners. Many POWs at the camp played music, put on theater performances and created artwork during their time here.

The museum has a large collection of drawings, paintings and photographs that give us a glimpse into this creative side of camp life. A POW camp with musicians, artists and actors probably isn't what most people picture. But that's part of what makes the story so interesting.

🔎 There's more to the story at the museum.

08/18/2026

August has a way of making summer feel like it's going faster than it should.

Looking for one last thing to add to the summer bucket list? Come see us at Camp Algona POW Museum! There's quite a bit to discover, from the POW story to broader WWII history and the stories of people from our area who served.

Bring the kids, bring a friend, or make us a stop on your next road trip. Slow summer down a little and come visit!

☀️ Summer Hours (through 8/31):
Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday, 1–4 p.m.

08/11/2026

Join us for an Open House at the Camp Algona POW Museum tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12, from 5–7 PM! Stop in whenever you can. Stay for a while or just take a quick look around.

Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been here before, take some time to explore the exhibits and learn more about the WWII history that happened right here in our area.

You may even recognize someone! Some of our exhibits feature people from the Algona area who were connected to Camp Algona or played a part in WWII. You might spot a familiar family name or discover a connection that you never knew about. See you Wednesday!

Camp Algona POW Museum
114 S. Thorington St, Algona

08/05/2026

Reminder! Hope you can join us this evening.

Mark your calendars! August 5th we will have an exciting guest speaker who is a history professor from the University of Northern Iowa! Kevin Mason will be doing a book signing for his book Retracing the Dragoon Trail in Iowa at our museum. Admission is free and the event will start at 6:30pm. We’re excited to see everyone who can stop by and listen to some neat Iowan history from a professional!

07/30/2026

Curious about Camp Algona?

Our website is a great place to start. You'll find museum hours, exhibit information, upcoming events, and a glimpse into the stories that make Camp Algona such a unique part of Iowa history.

Whether you're planning a visit or just want to learn a little more, you'll find plenty to explore.

www.pwcampalgona.org

07/20/2026

Here’s one of those facts that surprises people pretty quickly.

Between 1944 and 1946, nearly 10,000 German prisoners of war passed through Camp Algona.

Most people don’t expect a story like that to come out of north-central Iowa. But it did. And once you know it, you start seeing the history of this place a little differently.

If you’re curious, summer is a great time to stop in and take a closer look!