Brooklyn Historical Society

Brooklyn Historical Society The Museum is open for tours every Saturday from May through September, 12pm to 4pm, or by appointme

The Brooklyn Historical Society was organized in 1996 to preserve the former William Manatt home, built in 1869. The house, which was given to the City of Brooklyn by William's youngest son, Coe Manatt, in 1963, was home to the Brooklyn Public Library until 1999. It is now known as the Brooklyn Museum/William Manatt House, and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Through privat

e donations, grants, and support from our members, the house has been restored as close to 1895 era as possible. The Museum is open for tours every Saturday from May through September, 12pm to 4pm, or by appointment.

07/11/2026

The museum will not be open today due to an air conditioner failure. We hope to be open again soon.

Sometimes “old” songs reflect the spirit & culture of their times. Here are the words to a vintage (late 1800s to early ...
07/03/2026

Sometimes “old” songs reflect the spirit & culture of their times. Here are the words to a vintage (late 1800s to early 1900s, we believe) celebratory song that speaks of “Young America.” It was shared each July 4th by former Brooklynite Lottie McGeorge, who taught it to her family & friends with hopes it would be handed down to future generations. Lottie was the wife of Brooklyn’s school superintendent & baseball coach in the 1940s, T.R. “Mac” McGeorge; their sons Tom, Terry & Don graduated from Brooklyn & are remembered by some around here.
Get out your firecrackers, boys!
Get out your fife and drum!
And blow your trumpets inside out,
For July Fourth has come!
Hoorah for all the generals, we’ll cheer them every one!
Begin with General Liberty and end with General Fun!
Hoorah, hoorah, hoorah!
Who can pile the glory up like young America!

06/24/2026

Museum hours have changed. The museum will now be open every Saturday from 9:00am until 1:00pm. Stop and have a private tour, you will enjoy learning more about the history of Brooklyn!

MORE scenes from Brooklyn’s Flag Festival, June 13, 2026…. Hundreds of people attended the Landes Park festivities fo...
06/21/2026

MORE scenes from Brooklyn’s Flag Festival, June 13, 2026….
Hundreds of people attended the Landes Park festivities following the annual parade.

MORE scenes from Brooklyn’s Flag Festival, June 13, 2026….
06/21/2026

MORE scenes from Brooklyn’s Flag Festival, June 13, 2026….

Scenes from Brooklyn’s Flag Festival, June 13, 2026 -- Flag bearers carrying the giant flag; McKinlee Meldrem & her gran...
06/17/2026

Scenes from Brooklyn’s Flag Festival, June 13, 2026 -- Flag bearers carrying the giant flag; McKinlee Meldrem & her grandfather, Mike Nelson, waiting for the parade to start; Brooklynite Mary Keiser Van Cleave sporting patriotic colors; parade floats. Grand Marshals of the parade were Steve Plants and Stanley Walford. Walford, who celebrated his 100th birthday last December, was honored for his service during WWII and 80 years as a veteran. A Brooklyn native, he now resides in Grinnell. (More photos to come on this site)

Among the many participants in Brooklyn’s Flag Festival this past Saturday was Brent Westemeyer of Johnston, IA. “Westie...
06/16/2026

Among the many participants in Brooklyn’s Flag Festival this past Saturday was Brent Westemeyer of Johnston, IA. “Westie” has joined us for several past parades, portraying Brooklyn native Harold “Pie” Keller. It was Westie’s sleuthing and research that helped determine that Keller was one of the Iwo Jima flag raisers in WWII. (Watch for more photos of the recent festivities to be forthcoming on this site.)

06/13/2026

The museum will be open today during and after the parade. Stop in and learn about Brooklyn’s first 175 years!

05/27/2026

Starting this Saturday, 5/30, through Labor Day weekend, the museum will be open from noon until four pm on Saturdays only. You will see something new and interesting every time you visit!

04/07/2026

The Brooklyn Historical Society is still taking applications for museum tour guide. This is a paid position that includes greeting visitors at the museum every Saturday from noon to 4pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Knowledge of Brooklyn is helpful but we can train the right applicant.

Call or message Steve Rhoads at 641 521-2283 for more information.

Address

PO Box 58//304 Jackson Street
Brooklyn, IA
52211

Telephone

(641) 522-7744

Website

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