Welcome to the English Valleys History Center
Open from 6:00 a.m. until noon on Saturdays or by appointment. Contact Dave Jackson or Scott Romine.
Nancy Evans presented the life of John H. Evans with readings from his high school diary and his letters from his college years and his WWII years as he wrote regularly to his mother, Cora. At the History Center on Sunday, November 20, all of the audience was touched by the poetry in his writing and by his poignant death in the attack on Saipan in 1944 as Nancy shared the Evans family story.
On a float pulled by Gary Blaylock's big team, the History Center was represented in the Fun Days Parade on Ssaturday morning, July 30. Chuck and Pam Nachtman rode the float with Jacquie Barney and her granddaughter Elizabeth.
On Wednesday evening, April 6, many of the students and adults who had recently returned from their mission trip to Guatemala spoke at the History Center and shared their memories of the trip and answered questions. The discussion was led by Pastor Kirk Statler of the North English Christian Church who is shown on the far right.
On January, 23, 2011, Dave Foubert, with the assistance of his son Jake, presented a fine, fun program on Mace Brown, North English's major league baseball player from the 1930s and 40s. A good-sized crowd braved the cold weather to enjoy the show, and Carolyn Warner Elwood, a great, great niece of Mace Brown, presented a shadow box of Mace Brown memorabilia to the history center which will be displayed for all the community to enjoy.
Happy New Year – 2011!!
On New Year's Day, the wonderful musical talents of Banjoy were on display at the History Center, welcoming
the new year. Mark Wilson on guitar, Paul Roberts on bass, and Bob and Kristie Black on banjo and
guitar entertained an appreciative crowd during the Saturday morning coffee hours.
On New Year's Day, the wonderful musical talents of Banjoy were on display at the History Center, welcoming
the new year. Mark Wilson on guitar, Paul Roberts on bass, and Bob and Kristie Black on banjo and
guitar entertained an appreciative crowd during the Saturday morning coffee hours.
An English River Christmas – Events and Mementos
Tour of Homes – Cookie Recipes – "Snowy Night in North English"
Tour of Homes – Cookie Recipes – "Snowy Night in North English"
Telling about the pet catfish that his grandpa taught to walk, Perry Ross entertained the History Center with many wonderful stories on Sunday afternoon, September 26. Using his vast experience as a rural Iowa boy, a teacher, and an administrator in Iowa schools, Perry has been a professional story teller for over 25 years. It’s hoped that the History Center can have him come back again with more tales to tell in the future.
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Mike Burggraaf and Matt Schaeffer visited the History Center on Sunday, April 11, to discuss and demonstrate their hobby entitled "The Iowa Privy Project." They are experts at locating and uncovering antique treasures from early Iowa as they excavate 19th century privy sites. |
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A large crowd was on hand to hear Steve Miller speak about the Kalona Amish community at the History Center on Sunday, March 21. Steve, originally from Kinross and a 1967 EV graduate, has been an active member of the Kalona Historical Society for over 15 years. In his discussion at the Center, he told about his own Mennonite-Amish family roots and about the Amish experience in America and in Iowa.
Tammy Renderneck, Angie Nolte, and John Rotter visited the History Center on Saturday morning, March 20, to meet with community citizens and discuss the creation of a newspaper for the English Valleys community. John and Angie, the owners of Our Town Publications, plan to serve as publisher and editor with Tammy working with advertising sales in this new publication that will be called the English Valleys Star.
Sunday, February 21 was a very good day at the History Center when Phil Hester, North English's nationally known comic book artist, spoke to a large, enthralled audience. Not only did Phil discuss his career and how comic books are created, he also gave away signed samples of his work.
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Mr. Nachtman's American History and American Government classes visited the EV History Center on Thursday, January 28. This "historical" event gave the juniors and seniors an opportunity to tour the museum on the Main Street of North English after Ron Van Berkum and Scott Romine, retired EV teachers, explained a few displays to them. |
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"Iowa County and the Civil War" was the first program of 2010 at the History Center on January 17,
with Dave Jackson discussing some distinguished Civil War soldiers from the area
and Twila Gerard explaining effective research techniques for those who want to explore family history.
with Dave Jackson discussing some distinguished Civil War soldiers from the area
and Twila Gerard explaining effective research techniques for those who want to explore family history.
Performing in the Coffee Shop at the History Center, Von Ketelseon of Fort Dodge
amused and entertained the Saturday morning crowd on November 14. Ketelsen is the Farm Services Director
with radio station KWMT AM540 who has the midday "Power Lunch" show during the week.
amused and entertained the Saturday morning crowd on November 14. Ketelsen is the Farm Services Director
with radio station KWMT AM540 who has the midday "Power Lunch" show during the week.
"Communal Societies of Iowa County" was the topic of interest at the History Center on Sunday, October 25,
when Peter Hoehnle of Amana came to North English and told us about the Jasper Colony and Amana Colony,
two similar but different utopian groups in the northeastern corner of the county.
when Peter Hoehnle of Amana came to North English and told us about the Jasper Colony and Amana Colony,
two similar but different utopian groups in the northeastern corner of the county.
On Sunday, October 18, Brian Moore, a young man from Omaha, spoke at the History Center on behalf of the Tourette Syndrome Association. Explaining how he, also, has this neurobiological disorder, Brian spoke at length about this syndrome and narrated a Power Point Presentation that enhanced our understanding.
The ever so popular and well known Kitchen Band from Keokuk County performed at the History Center
on Saturday morning, October 3. Many agreed that their stand up comedy was just as entertaining
and enjoyable as their wonderful musical performances. Thank you, girls!
Iowa historian and author Paul Juhl from Iowa City spoke at the History Center on Sunday, September 20
about the Harlan-Lincoln Home in Mount Pleasant. This was the home of Senator James Harlan and his family
that eventually became the home where Abraham Lincoln's grandchildren spent many days of their childhood.
Paul told a series of interesting stories about the Lincoln and Harlan families,
and the audience greatly appreciated his expertise.
On Saturday, September 19, the History Center hosted a gathering that remembered Tim Carson, the well known English Valleys teacher and coach who died suddenly and unexpectedly twenty years ago in 1989.
More views of those who remembered and honored their teacher, coach, colleague, and friend are available here.
More views of those who remembered and honored their teacher, coach, colleague, and friend are available here.
Dr. Kenneth Lyftogt told an enthusiastic crowd about Iowa's involvement in the Civil War
on Sunday, August 16, at the History Center. Lyftogt, a lecturer and author from the
University of Northern Iowa was sponsored by Humanities Iowa and the Iowa County Historical Society.
A large crowd enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, as portrayed by Phyllis Scandridge Verhalen,
on Friday evening, July 24, at the History Center. Mrs. Verhalen's first lady reenactments are a special treat
for our community since she is originally from the English Valleys area and now living
in Virginia and frequently presenting her programs in Washington, D. C.
on Friday evening, July 24, at the History Center. Mrs. Verhalen's first lady reenactments are a special treat
for our community since she is originally from the English Valleys area and now living
in Virginia and frequently presenting her programs in Washington, D. C.
Noel Grove, former South English boy and National Geographic staff writer for many years,
visited the history center on Sunday, June 28, and regaled a large crowd with stories
from his adventurous life and information about his most recent book, "What about Duane?"
visited the history center on Sunday, June 28, and regaled a large crowd with stories
from his adventurous life and information about his most recent book, "What about Duane?"
Celebrating Girl Scouting in the English Valleys at the history center on Saturday, March 14.
Suzanne Moffit welcomed a large crowd on Girl Scout Day at the history center on March 14
and honored many who had served as Girl Scout leaders over the years.
At the opening ceremony for Boy Scout Day at the history center, a large crowd was on hand on February 7th.
Though the ice storm hurried them home, the annual meeting enjoyed Moms On Main Street singing carols.
The History Center now has a display of vintage tools for visitors to examine, along with many other local items.
The EV Tiger Cubs visited the history center on March 19, 2008 to view the displays and learn about the area.
Location:
108 North Main Street
North English, Iowa
Scenes from the first History Center
View scenes from the upcoming documentary video about Civil War events that occurred in this area. Plans are underway for this to be the first in a series entitled "The Ghost Towns of Iowa."
