SCHA Fall Meeting with Supervisors October 15, 2019

The Story County Historical Alliance meets twice a year to discuss what we are doing and learn from other members.  We invite the Story County Supervisors, and all interested members of the public, to attend our meetings.  The Supervisors frequently attend our fall meeting as a group.

This year the Nevada Community Historical Society will be hosting the fall meeting beginning at 2:00 October 15 at the Story County Supervisors office in the Administration Building (old courthouse).  They will give tours of the Dyer Dowell museum home afterwards if anyone wishes.

Nevada Victory Tea - May 16, 2015

The NevadaHistorical Society is hosting a “Victory Tea”- 40’s style, May 16th at the Dyer Dowell Victorian Home, 2PM – 4 PM, located at 927 5^th Street. 

 

If you enjoyed big bands, hats, sandwiches, cakes, and memories of yesteryear, this is the tea for you. Relax and go back in time. There will be a short program during the tea.

Prepaid reservations are required. Space is limited and the deadline for reservations is May 9th. Cost is $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for school age children. Contact is Jane Nading 290-4217

If you have not toured this Victorian home, tours will be available after the tea for any interested parties.

Also, after the tea, the Nevada Historical Museum will be open for tours to view the display of military uniforms and equipment, and historical items.

STORY COUNTY SESQUICENTENNIAL EVENT AT NEVADA COMMEMORATING THE CIVIL WAR ON FLAG DAY

On Flag Day, June 14, 2013, a ceremony commemorating the original dedication of two important Story County Civil War artifacts will be held in Nevada. The U.S. is observing the sesquicentennial of the Civil War from 2011 through 2015.

A cannon and bronze tablet, long a part of Story County history, will be re-dedicated at noon in front of the Story County Administration Building, 900 Sixth Street, Nevada.

The cannon is a Confederate Parrott 3-inch cannon that was placed in front of the old courthouse in 1901 by the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic). The tablet, mounted on granite, features a profile of President Abraham Lincoln and the words of the Gettysburg Address. It was dedicated on Flag Day 1930 by the WRC (Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic).

SUVCW (Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War) re-enactors will take part in the ceremony that will also honor Jason Devillo Ferguson, Story County's first hero of the Civil War. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Shiloh, 6 April 1862, where he is buried. Both the GAR Post #31 and the WRC Post #147 are named in his honor. These organizations donated the historic cannon and tablet to the county.

All Civil War 452 Story County enlistees, the 85 soldiers who lost their lives due to the conflict and the 511 veterans who found their final resting place in Story County will be honored.

Lieutenant Colonel Todd M. Jacobus of the Iowa Guard will speak, members of the Ames Children's Choir will lead the national anthem, and President Lincoln will honor us with a recitation of his Gettysburg Address.

The Iowa Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee has endorsed this event and the use of its special logo. It is hoped the event will be designated a National Sesquicentennial Signature Event as well. The public is invited to this free event. And, please bring your lawn chair.

The event is supported by National Woman's Relief Corps, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Story County Board of Supervisors, Story County Veterans Affairs, Iowa Genealogical Society, Ames Historical Society, Cambridge Historical Association, Gilbert Historical Society, Huxley Historical Society, Kelley Historical Hall, Maxwell Community Historical Society, Nevada Community Historical Society, Slater Area Historical Association, Roland Historical Society, Story City Historical Society, Story County Historical Alliance and Story County Genealogical Society.

For a day-to-day history of the Civil War, go to www.civilwar150.org  More information, call 515.460.8304 or gretchen.triplett@gmail.com

Nevada Historical Society Fundraiser - March 23, 2013

We need a new lawn mower! Holding a fundraiser at Sports Bowl on March 23rd at 2:00 pm - 6:30 pm. $25/person for 3 person teams. Flighted payback 50/50 per games/series and one by draw. Door prizes. Silent Auction. Percentage of food and drink proceeds. Free will donations accepted too! Come have fun with us.  See Nevada Historical Society on Facebook for details.

Nevada - Murder Mystery Dinner - February 25 and March 3, 2012

The Nevada Community Historical Society is again presenting a Murder Mystery Dinner at the Dyer-Dowell House on 5th Street.  You can participate in this either Saturday, February 25th or Saturday, March 3rd beginning promptly at 5 p.m.  Advance tickets ($25) are required and can be obtained by calling Maxine at 382-6703 or Paula at 382-4005.

Postcards of Story County on the Web

The Penny Postcards site, a USGenWeb Archives Web Site, includes a number of early photo postcards from Story County.  Ames, Cambridge, Nevada, and Story City all have postcards shown.

Penny Postcards from Iowa, part of the site, has links to the postcards by county.  Then within the counties many are arranged by town.

Nevada - Cemetery Walk September 24, 2011

The Nevada Historical Society will have a Historic Cemetery Walk at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery on Saturday, September 24, 2011.  Tickets ($8) should be purchased in advance as the number is limited.  See the files on the left for additional details (click on them and click it a second time for a larger version) or contact Kris at 382-4854 for additional details.

Nevada - Mystery Dinner - February 26 and March 5, 2011

The Nevada Historical Society is taking reservations for "The Watersdown Affair" presented on February 26 and March 5th.  The Society is taking reservations for eight actors and additional "observers" for the two performances.

Held at the Dyer-Dowell Victorian House, the mystery allows actors and observers to enjoy hor d'oeuvres and dinner while participating in the mystery and solving it.   Reservations by calling 382-6703 or 382-4876.

Nevada - Brats at Briggs - September 26, 2010

The Nevada Community Historical Society is having a family picnic at the Briggs Terrace at  Evergreen Lane house on Saturday, September 26, 2010, to kick off their 2011 membership drive.  From 12:30 to 3:00 pm there will be free food, an Open House at the property, and family fun.  And join us at 1:30 for "Music on the Porch".

City Celebrations This Summer

Many of the Story County communities have celebrations during the summer that include their historical societies.  The 2010 celebrations include:

• Story City Scandinavian Days - June 4-6.  The 2010 theme is May The Norse Be You.
• Cambridge Jubilee Days - June 11 - 13.  The complete schedule is on the city website.
• Slater Fourth of July - July 2 - 3.
• Maxwell Old Settlers Picnic - August 5 -8.  The 2010 theme is Knowing the Past, Growing for the Future.  Initial details can be found in this Tri-County Times article.
• Huxley Prairie Fest - August 27 - 29.  See their website for more details.
• Nevada Lincoln Highway Days - August 27 - 29.  See their website for the complete schedule.

Congratulations to National History Day Finalists!

National History Day is an academic-enrichment program that helps students learn about historical issues, ideas, people and events. The year-long academic adventure fosters students’ enthusiasm for learning and encourages them to use primary, secondary, community and statewide resources on a subject of their choice related to an annual theme. The theme for 2010 is “Innovation in History: Impact and Change.”  It is coordinated in Iowa by the State Historical Society of Iowa.

From this years National History Day competition in Iowa there are four Story County students who are advancing to the National Contest in June at the University of Maryland.

In the senior division (grades 9-12), Mikayla Sullivan of Ames High School was chosen in the Individual Documentary category for "Barren to Fields of Plenty".  Her teacher is Dianne Hugdahl.

The junior division (grades 6-8) competitors advancing from Story County were:  Tyler Ronca from the Ballard Junior High School in the Historical Paper category for "Louis Braille: Giving the Treasure of Sight to the Blind" (teacher: Alison Peterson) and Paige Plate and Hanna Bell from the Nevada Middle School in the Web Sites category for "Factory Safety Regulations: From the Ashes of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire" (teacher: Karen Ross).

Additional information about the senior division competition and the junior division competition includes the other Iowa contestants who are advancing to the national competition.

Congratulations to all the students who competed in this and thank you to all their teachers!

Nevada Victorian Tea and Tour - May 8, 2010

The Nevada Historical Society will host a Victorian Tea and Tour for ladies of all ages at their Dyer-Dowell Victorian Home at 922 5th Street in Nevada, Iowa on Saturday, May 8, 2010.  Doors open at 2:15 with the sitting time 2:30 to 4:30.

Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children 5-12.
Reservations will be accepted up to May 1.  Please call 515-382-6703 for more information and to reserve your table.