Des Moines County Historical Society

08/20/2026

Join the August 22 Coffee with a Curator: Exhibit Conversation to learn about the seven Revolutionary War veterans who made Des Moines County their home.

08/18/2026

Stop by to see, "The Last Witnesses of 1776: Revolutionary War Veterans in Des Moines County" to learn about William Blair and more veterans who make our region their home.

08/16/2026

Did you know that Burlington is the Crinoid Capital of the World?

The Heritage Center has the THIRD largest known research collection, following Harvard and the Smithsonian.

How cool to have something so incredible right here in Des Moines County!

08/15/2026

Add to the conversation about our exhibit, "The Last Witnesses of 1776: Revolutionary War Veterans in Des Moines County" on Aug 22 at 2 pm.

Led by Colton Overton, you are invited to enjoy light refreshments and talk about the research that led to the discoveries of Revolution War veterans in the region.

We recommend reserving your spot by calling us at 319.752.7449.

08/13/2026

Stop by to learn more about John Morgan and other Revolutionary War veterans who eventually made Des Moines County their home.

We also invite you to Coffee with a Curator: Exhibit Conversation on August 22 at 2:30 to learn more about the research that led to the creation of this exhibit.

08/10/2026

Learn about this Revolutionary War veteran and more in our exhibit, "The Last Witnesses of 1776: Revolutionary War Veterans in Des Moines County."

08/04/2026

Burlington Public Library will bring a major traveling exhibition to the community this fall, offering a close look at how Americans responded to Na**sm, war and genocide during the 1930s

07/31/2026

Connecting our community to the nation's founding generation, John Morgan fought for America's independence. Years later, he crossed the Mississippi River and settled in what is now Des Moines County.

Visit our newest exhibit to learn about seven Revolutionary War veterans who made our region their home.

We invite you to join us for Coffee with a Curator: Exhibit Conversation on August 22 from 2 pm - 3:30 pm for light refreshments and an engaging discussion about what our research revealed about the brave veterans.

The program is free for members and $10 for non-members.

Please call 319.752.7449 to reserve your seat!

07/25/2026

Thank you to the Community Foundation of Des Moines County for supporting our efforts to provide accessible, interactive exhibits that make learning fun for visitors of all ages! We look forward to bringing this exciting new experience to our community.

🌳🚲 Bringing History to Life at Snake Alley! 🌳

The Des Moines County Historical Society is excited to introduce the Snake Alley Pedal Car Program—a hands-on, outdoor experience designed to engage visitors of all ages and abilities!

This interactive brick pathway will showcase the unique engineering and steep inclines of historic Snake Alley, using pedal cars to give children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities a fun and accessible way to experience history in motion.

✨ Through this project, visitors will:
✅ Explore real-world engineering concepts
✅ Enjoy active, outdoor play
✅ Connect with local history through STEM-based learning

🌳 By supporting this initiative, we’re not only creating a dynamic educational space—but also strengthening community engagement and boosting local vibrancy.

Join us in building a place where history, learning, and play come together!
🌱

07/24/2026

William Blair is one of seven Revolutionary War veterans who eventually made the Des Moines County region their home.

Visit our newest exhibit, "The Last Witnesses of 1776: Revolutionary War Veterans in Des Moines County" to learn the stories of all seven veterans.

Join a deeper conversation with Executive Director Colton Overton about the research done to put this exhibit together at the August Coffee with a Curator: Exhibit Conversation program.

This program is free for members and $10 for non-members.

Seating is limited, so please reserve your spot by calling us at 319.752.7449.