Urbandale Historical Society

07/02/2024

Huge Thank You to everyone who contributed to our successful ice cream social event yesterday!
Highland Dairy: Donated 24 gallons of ice cream!
Hy-Vee: 8 bags ice!
Pies: 40+ donors of 65+ pies, cookies & bars!
Volunteers: 30+ !
And all participants who came for pie and ice cream to support our fundraiser!
We Could Not Have Done It Without You

06/24/2024

06/23/2024

The Urbandale Alumni Association continues to work on their flagpole project at the Olmsted-Urban House. On Friday, June 21st, the flagpole that stood on top of the K-12 building at 70th and Douglas was installed in the backyard of the house. At the Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 30th that runs from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, there will be a dedication ceremony at 2:30pm with Mayor Bob Andeweg. The Alumni Association will be at the Ice Cream Social taking orders for bricks that will go around the flagpole. A 4X8 brick is $35 with 3 lines and a 8X8 brick will be $50 with 6 lines. Alumni members will be there to answer your questions that day.

06/09/2024

Don’t forget to help us celebrate honoring Bob Simon and Virginia Gee from 2-4pm today!

06/09/2024

Special Celebration today 2-4pm

Join us today for a special reception honoring long-time Urbandale residents Virgina Gee and Bob Simon. They have been the heart and soul of the Urbandale Historical Society for many years.

​Proclamation by Mayor Bob Andeweg

06/07/2024

June Celebration, June 9, 2024. 2-4pm

Join us for a special reception honoring long-time Urbandale residents Virgina Gee and Bob Simon. They have been the heart and soul of the Urbandale Historical Society for many years.

​Proclamation by Mayor Bob Andeweg

06/02/2024

Open House today. Come visit the Olmsted-Urban House in at 4010 70th St. The house wiill be open for visitors between 2-4 p.m. Stay as long as you like. Someone will be on hand to greet you and answer questions. The main floor is furnished as if a family was living there in the 20's-40's. The office is the center for Urbandale history with notebooks of information and photos. Upstairs you can view interesting collections of toys, women's clothing through the decades, items belonging to the original Olmsted family and the Heritage Room with memorabilia of the schools and community. You do not have to be a member of the Historical Society to visit. Anyone is welcome.

05/19/2024

PROGRAM TODAY AT THE URBANDALE LIBRARY 2-4PM. Staci Stanton will discuss the history of the Urbandale Public Library.

05/14/2024

MAY PROGRAM THIS SUNDAY 2-4PM at the Urbandale Public Library

Staci Stanton will discuss the history of the Urbandale Public Library.

05/04/2024

Hungry for lunch? We’ve got hot dogs, chips and more during our May Market! Come check out our vendors and take home some treasures. We are here for your shopping needs until 3!

05/04/2024

Pancake Breakfast
May 4, 2024
9-11am
Olmsted-Urban Barn
Lions club serving their world famous pancake breakfast.

05/01/2024

Have you visited the historic Olmsted-Urban House in Urbandale? The House at 4010 70th St. will be open for visitors this Sunday, May 6th. Come anytime between 2-4 p.m. Stay as long as you like. Someone will be on hand to greet you and answer questions. The main floor is furnished as if a family was living there in the 20's-40's. The office is the center for Urbandale history with notebooks of information and photos. Upstairs you can view interesting collections of toys, women's clothing through the decades, items belonging to the original Olmsted family and the Heritage Room with memorabilia of the schools and community. You do not have to be a member of the Historical Society to visit. Anyone is welcome.

04/29/2024

May Market
May 4, 2024
10-3pm
Olmsted-Urban Lawn
Join us in celebrating spring with the May Market. Shop vendors on the lawn of Olmsted-Urban House.

04/14/2024

PROGRAM TODAY AT THE URBANDALE LIBRARY 2-4PM. Bring a photo of your home or one you would like to discuss.

04/12/2024

APRIL PROGRAM THIS SUNDAY 2-4PM

04/08/2024

Will Page will be providing us with insight on the architecture styles and history of homes in the Urbandale area. Bring a photo of your own home or one you would like to discuss.

04/03/2024

Have you visited the historic Olmsted-Urban House in Urbandale? The House at 4010 70th St. will be open for visitors this Sunday, April 7th. Come anytime between 2-4 p.m. Stay as long as you like. Someone will be on hand to greet you and answer questions. The main floor is furnished as if a family was living there in the 20's-40's. The office is the center for Urbandale history with notebooks of information and photos. Upstairs you can view interesting collections of toys, women's clothing through the decades, items belonging to the original Olmsted family and the Heritage Room with memorabilia of the schools and community. You do not have to be a member of the Historical Society to visit. Anyone is welcome.

04/02/2024

Did anyone get our question of the month correct in March?

Who was Urbandale's first Citizen of the Year?

Answer: Barney Wilder in 1964

Some facts about Barney:
He co-owned the Urbandale Pharmacy from 1956 to 1979
He was a founding member of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce
He volunteered as an interpretor at the 1870's Drug Store at Living History Farms