Clay County Heritage

10/13/2026

A marvelous share to enjoy about the early settlers of Clay and Buena Vista counties!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D1Ug3p1LP/

10/13/2026

SAFE KEEPING. . . Our great appreciation to Josh Hamrick for recently replacing the handrails at the Parker Museum. It looks great and just in time for our visitors during Christmas at the Parker in November 13, 14, and 15!

10/13/2026

W**E STROLL. . . Thanks to those who stopped in at The Heritage Center during the annual Grand Avenue W**e Stroll. It was a lovely evening to enjoy w**e, hors d’œuvres, and some local history!

10/12/2026

ATTENTION RAILROAD ENTHUSIASTS. . . Speaker Mark Fassler of Sioux Rapids provided professional historic support for the Heritage's Clay County 175th Anniversary Exhibit regarding our county's railroad history.

Fassler's November 1 presentation will include railroad history from Clay and Buena Vista counties and much more! You won't want to miss!

10/07/2026

THAT'S MY TOWN! Residents of St. Luke Lutheran Nursing Home toured the Clay County 175th Anniversary Exhibit. They enjoyed seeing their communities spotlighted, and shared additional memories. One woman said her husband tore down the original Rossie Depot many years ago.

10/07/2026

HANDS-ON HISTORY! Clay County 175th Anniversary's Education Trunk recently made its debut at Riverview Terrace Assisted Living Community in Spencer. The residents enjoyed learning about the county's history and handling artifacts and replicas.

The education trunk is available for educators, senior campuses, or for traveling presentations. Contact Shayla at the Heritage Center to book the trunk OR to set up a date for her to present to your school or organization: 712.262.3304.

Funding for the trunk was provided by United Way of Spencer and Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis Club.

10/05/2026

BLAST FROM THE PAST (Circa early 2000s). . . Former Heritage Center museum director Cindy McGranahan and the late Dale Kabrick of Langdon were setting up a display about Clay County History for the benefit of the residents at St. Luke Nursing Home in Spencer.

Kabrick was a resident at St. Luke at the time before his passing. He was instrumental in the compilation of the Parker Museum's basement one-room classroom exhibit and donated many artifacts to the museum throughout the years.

McGranahan served at the museum for more than 20 years, retiring in 2015.

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

SHARE YOUR FLAIR! Do you have a special Christmas tree, holiday collection or unique vignette you'd like to display during Spencer's 2026 Festival of Trees - Dualling Galleries? We'd love to put it on display for the community to enjoy.

This November, the Clay County Heritage Center and Arts on Grand are inviting friends, supporters, and businesses to display their holiday favorites during our annual Festival of Trees, which is set for Saturday, November 21 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at both locales.

This year's event includes 'Dualling Galleries' at both Arts on Grand and The Heritage Center. Each gallery will be filled with trees and vignettes for DOUBLE THE FUN. One ticket gets you into both locations that day! The cost is $10 / ticket OR $15 at the door that day.

If you're interested in decorating a tree at the Heritage Center, give Shayla a call at 712.262.3304. Get your discounted tickets EARLY!