Grundy Center Historical Society

10/12/2026

Grundy Center is set to celebrate being 150 years old!

As Grundy Center prepares to celebrate its sesquicentennial in 2027, help the Grundy Center Historical Society to honor the visionaries, leaders, contributors, and volunteers whose dedication and expertise have shaped our community over the past 50 years.

A placemaker is a person or group that transforms everyday physical spaces into vibrant, meaningful public places that bring a community together.

Who is a Placemaker?
• Community Members: Residents dedicated to improving their neighborhood.
• Professionals: Urban planners, architects, landscape architects, and designers.
• Creatives: Artists, local leader, and community organizers.

What Do Placemakers Do?
• Engage People: Listen to what a neighborhood needs before designing.
• Improve Public Spaces: Turn empty lots, neglected parks, or dull streets into welcoming areas.
• Add Value: Introduce seating, public art, community gardens, or local events like markets and outdoor movies.
• Prioritize People: Focus on human connection, safety, and happiness rather than just concrete and buildings.

Please find the link to the Nomination Form below.

Criteria for Nominating:
Use this form to describe your Placemaker nominee and explain how they demonstrate the qualities below.
• Leadership
• Vision
• Volunteerism
• Service to the community

The Historical Society Directors will make the final selections.
Honorees will be featured monthly throughout 2027 at the museum, on the Society’s website and page, in its newsletter, and in the Grundy Register.

10/09/2026

It's Fire Prevention Week. Did you know a house fire can engulf a room in as little as 30 seconds and everything in the room can ignite at once in 3 to 5 minutes? There isn't much time to reach safety. That's why it's so important to have a family fire escape plan.
This month, on our podcast, we interviewed Shane Oltman about some recent fires in Grundy Center and his experiences with the dangers of those fires.
YouTube link to watch: https://youtu.be/J7HmMtLIKoA?si=wttTnO-82PW5tYl6
Listen here- https://www.grundycenterhistory.org/listen-to-podcasts

08/24/2026

We're excited to be opening our doors again this September! Come on out September 4th and see our new exhibit of the area churches. It will have you singing our praises!

07/22/2026

The GC Historical Society Museum will be closed until September 9 when we will reopen with our new displays. Watch for updates as we gather history and create new exhibits. If you need to use any of our references, you can contact message us here and we'll put you in touch with our curators.

While we are NOT open for RAGBRAI, the Herbert Quick Schoolhouse will be open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m Thursday, July 23rd.

To watch our latest podcasts, visit our website at grundycenterhistory.org!

07/22/2026

🌽🚴 Tomorrow's the Day! 🚴🌽

The countdown is over—tomorrow, thousands of RAGBRAI riders will roll into Grundy Center, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome them!

☀️ Here's what to know before the big day:

⏰ Riders are expected to begin arriving around 6:00 AM, with the busiest time through the morning hours.

🍳 Businesses: If you're participating, we encourage you to open early to welcome riders looking for breakfast, coffee, shopping, and a friendly Iowa smile!

🚧 Please remember that downtown road closures begin at 6:00 AM. Follow posted signs and directions from law enforcement and volunteers as you travel around town.

💙 To our volunteers, businesses, residents, and Steering Committee - thank you for the countless hours you've spent preparing for this incredible day. Your hard work is what makes Grundy Center such a special place.

Let's give every rider a warm welcome and show them why we're Living the Good Life in Grundy Center!

07/04/2026

Today our nation commemorates and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.

This is not just another holiday. Fly the flag, gather your people, teach your kids about freedom, thank a veteran, stay for the fireworks and thank God for the blessings we often take for granted.

Happy Birthday, America!

07/02/2026

Just in time for Felix Grundy Days and a new year of the Grundy Center Sports Hall of Fame inductees, we have a new episode of our podcast with Dave Pike, recorded last year at this same time.

Every Hall of Fame has a beginning. For the Grundy Center Hall of Fame, that beginning was one man’s vision and one man’s love for his hometown.

Dave Pike was born and raised in Grundy Center, graduating from GC High School and carrying a deep pride in being a Spartan. He wrestled under Coach John Doak, who, commenting on his character and determination, says, “Dave never gave up—never let go. He was and is a true, 100% Spartan.”

Dave continued his wrestling career at UNI, then entered the banking profession before retiring to Florida. But he remains deeply connected to Grundy Center, no matter where life has taken him. So today every inductee, every memory shared, every celebration of Spartan excellence traces back to Dave’s vision.

Find out the history of the Grundy Center Sports Hall of Fame by watching here: https://www.grundycenterhistory.org/photos-and-videos or listening here:

06/29/2026

We’ve shared quite a bit of history about Grundy Center then vs. present day, but we feel it’s important to tell the story of our roots and how they’ve shaped where we are today. We hope you’ve enjoyed these glimpses into the past so far — with more to come as we continue transitioning through the decades.

🌾 Did You Know? 🌾

During the first several decades of the 1900s, Grundy Center and Grundy County became known as “Potato Center” and Iowa’s leader in the growing and marketing of potatoes. The industry thrived for years before eventually fading as wheat and corn became more profitable than the much more labor-intensive potato business.

It’s amazing to look back and see how agriculture helped shape our community and its identity over the years. Stay tuned for more pieces of Grundy Center history!

06/24/2026

06/22/2026

🚴 Throwback to 1995, when RAGBRAI rolled through Grundy Center and Holland! And before that, 1983 marked the last time our community hosted riders overnight.

Thirty years ago, our streets, parks, and businesses were filled with unforgettable energy, hometown food stands, and the kind of small-town hospitality that makes RAGBRAI so special.

This July, we’re excited to welcome riders once again and create even more memories with our communities, volunteers, local businesses, and visitors from across Iowa and beyond. 🚲

We can’t wait to see our streets full of bikes, laughter, and community spirit once again.

Drop a 🚲 in the comments if you’ll be here this July!