English Valleys History Center, Inc.

05/08/2026

And just like that....done! The last yellow line painted. Let's clean up and go home for the weekend! - Dave Jackson

05/08/2026

Meanwhile on Main Street... progress by Pelling! Nice to have a fresh asphalt overlay, smooth and consistent surface and new yellow lines for parking. Great job by LL Pelling and much ahead of schedule! - Dave J.

05/03/2026

So exciting to see how Forrest Gibson, his family and many others have transformed our old Main Street Fair Store! Way to go, Forrest! And thank you Winona Whitaker of The Hometown Current for covering the story!

NORTH ENGLISH — A long-vacant building on Main Street in North English has found new life as a taekwondo gym through the labor and care of English Valleys alumus Forrest

04/24/2026

REMINDER: Iowa's Camouflage Experts: Come and hear Roy R. Behrens, author of four books on the topic, discuss the history of camouflage at "Iowa's Camouflage Experts" on Sunday, April 26, 2:00 PM at the History Center. As always, we'll have some great treats and refreshments after the program in our coffee shop.

04/13/2026

What do the cities of Creston, Maquoketa, Ottumwa and Vinton have in common? The development of Camouflage! Come and hear Roy R. Behrens, author of four books on the topic, discuss the history of camouflage at "Iowa's Camouflage Experts" on Sunday, April 26, 2:00 PM at the History Center.

04/01/2026

UPDATE: We've been covering Forrest Gibson's major Main Street renovation project in North English since early January. It's been three months and the work is progressing nicely. He's had challenges to address every step of the way, from the water source and lines, Heating and Air system, electrical, cutting through thick brick walls and dealing with all the intricacies of a historical building. He's been consistently plugging along, as in a marathon and not a race. The transformation is so apparent to the building's interior, and his design for the front facade is no less impressive. In the past week the interior has made such great strides. Here's a few images, and some artwork. - Dave Jackson

03/30/2026

Author Randee Fieselmann, The Union First, told a compelling story of the hardships of the First Iowa Infantry during their marches through Missouri during the Civil War, and preparing for the Battle of Wilson's Creek. She shared material from the diaries of soldiers George Burmeister and Eugene Ware, as well as newspaper journals of Franc B. Wilkie. We also had some special guests who were descendants of Burmeister, and of Lawrence Mingo of Company C, 1st Iowa Infantry. Lots of great discussion and questions ensued. Bob and Kristi Black "wowed the crowd" with Civil War tunes on guitar and banjo. Jeff McDowell, a reenactor of 24th Iowa Infantry, set up a table full of Civil War soldier artifacts, both authentic and reproductions. And many tasty treats were consumed afterward in the coffee shop.