Story County Historical Alliance Spring Meeting - April 11, 2024 in Colo

                                     

Story County Historical Alliance Annual Spring Meeting to be held at the Colo Community Center (309 Main Street) at 10:00 AM, Thursday, April 11th. Come earlier for coffee, and see the Colo Museum at the Reed Station afterwards. 

 Then if so inclined, have lunch at Niland's Cafe!

Cancelled - Story County Historical Alliance Spring Meeting

Unfortunately the Spring 2020 meeting of the Story County Historical Alliance (April 28th) has been cancelled due to the coronavirus.  Our hosts, the Roland Historical Society, will host the meeting when it is rescheduled for the Fall.

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.

Slater and Story County in the Great War

The Slater Area Historical Association has a new exhibit "Slater and Story County in the Great War" marking the 100th anniversary of America;s entry into World War One.  Come to see it during their regular open hours of 10-2 on Thursdays or the added hours of 6-8 every Wednesday.

Story County 4-H History Display

Story County Girls and Boys 4-H Officers 1967-68
Front row, left to right:  Kathy Hunt, Collins, president; Mary Burg, Colo, vice president; Rae Snider, Huxley, secretary-treasurer; Debra Owen, Maxwell, historian; and Bev Upchurch, Zearing, reporter.
Back row, left to right:  Leonard Larson, Cambridge, president; Steve Toot, Nevada, vice president; Kent Britten, Zearing, secretary; Steve Holland, Collins, historian and Bob Robinson, Colo, reporter.

Story County Girls and Boys 4-H Officers 1968-69
Front row, left to right: Carol Rasmusson, McCallsburg; reporter; Rhonda Anderson, Nevada, historian; Virginia Bullard, Maxwell, secretary-treasurer; Virginia Varnum, Colo, vice president, and Barb McKinney, Colo, President.
Back row, left to right: John Griffith, Maxwell, reporter; Joe Sandve, Collins, historian; Greg Steensland, Huxley, secretary-treasurer; John Carlson, Colo, vice president, and Neal Praty, Nevada, president.

For several years, the 4-H History Committee has spent time organizing pictures, clippings and other 4-H materials from the past.  The story of 4-H in Story County is told by these records.  Some of the materials will be on display at the 2017 County Fair on Sunday afternoon, July 23 from 1 to 5 pm in the Extension meeting room.

There is a variety in the collection.  It includes notebooks by the decade (starting in the 1920s); Celebrating 75 years of the County Fair (4 notebooks); a 4-H leaders notebook starting in the 1920s; County Historian book (1954-60); 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus; Story County Fair Queens; 4-H Alum of the Year; and Story County 4-H History 1917-2012 (Google “Iowa 4H History by County”.

This year there is a focus on the 50s, 60s, and early 70’s.  4-H officers of those years will be honored at the 4-H Reunion that afternoon at 2:15 pm in Christy 4-H Hall.

The 4-H History Committee includes Evelyn Beavers, JoAnn Blanchard, Marlys Cooper, Mary deBaca, MaryAnn Gardner, Linda Meyers, Carolyn Manning, Ralph Manning, Bob Nervig, and Shirley Pilgrim.

Story County 4-H Reunion July 24, 2106

Come to the 2016 4-H Reunion at the Story County Fair. It will be Sunday, July 24, 2-4 pm in Christy 4-H Hall. What fun to see old friends and reminisce about past memories.

The program will begin at 2:15 pm. This year the program will honor former and present Fair Board members. They will be recognized for all the time and effort they give to make the county fair a success. You may have a relative or friend who was on the fair board in the past or is on it currently. We encourage families and friends to join the celebration. You may pick up a printed program listing fair board members from 1940 to 2016. It will also list their years of service.

Other parts of the program will include introducing the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame honoree who will represent Story County at the Iowa State Fair in August. The 4-H Alum of the Year will be presented and 4-H’er Avery Mather will share what excites her about 4-H today. Prizes for the 4-H’ers in Action contest will be awarded. The Story County 4-H Foundation will present scholarship recipients, grant recipients, and recognize donors for their generosity. They will share what the Foundation has accomplished with the money for the benefit of the 4-H’ers of Story County. Jason Mortvedt, a 4-H alum from Ames will be the emcee.

That afternoon, be sure to browse through the Story County 4-H History display in the meeting room next to Christy 4-H Hall. It features a number of books over the years, starting in 1917. You may find pictures and clippings featuring people you have known. Anyone who enjoys talking bout 4-H, both now and the past will enjoy this afternoon. Refreshments are courtesy of South Story Bank and Trust.

2001 Story County Fair Board
Pictured (Front, l-r): Larry Hall, Dave Moody, Don Struthers, Steve Moser, Dennis Romsey, Greg Sindt. (Back, l-r): Terry Robinson, Nancy Couser, Nelda Christian, Carl Link, Bob Williams, James Romer, Ann Lem, Lorraine Hoffman.

1964 Story County Fair Board
 Front Row – Loy Black, Dean Handsaker, Leonard Dueland, Twedt Hanson, Arthur Riley.  Back Row – Herb Reinertson, Allen Anderson, Bob Zeisneiss, Virgil Brooks, Orlin Lein, Vern Noring.  (Absent are Marshall Thompson and Hubert Twit.)

4-H'ers in Action Photo Contest - Entries Due July 10, 2015

You can be a part of the Story County Fair

• Anyone can enter – youth or adult
  
• You may or may not be or have been a 4-H’er
  
• You do not need to have taken the photo
  
• Photo must feature a 4-H member or members involved in a 4-H activity
  
• Photo can be current (since Jan. 2013) or historic
  
• Photos will be judged on the 4-H story they tell
  
• No entry fees
  
• If you enter a 4-H photo taken in 1940, you will be considered for the 1940 Jack Pot prize of $75.
  

• Please mount photo on a sheet of white paper and include:

Who is in the picture, what is the 4-H activity, the year when it was taken, and where it was taken

• Place in a plastic sheet protector

Entries are due Monday, July 10, 2015, 5 PM at the

Story County Extension Office, Nevada

For more information on classes and an entry form, check the 2015 county fair book, which is available at the Story County Extension Office or on line at www.sc-fair.com

Story County Fair will be July 25 – 29, 2015

Help Us Dig Into Story County 4-H History

Thank you to Carolyn Manning for sharing this with us.  You can learn more about the history of 4-H in Story County, Iowa here.

Help us Dig into 4-H History

Shared with Story County Historical Alliance, 4/11/15

In 1940, the present fair grounds became the home for the Story County 4-H Fair.  That has been 75 years of outstanding youth and excellent projects.  We have much to celebrate at this year’s youth fair.

Story County families have lots of 4-H history in their families.  Who do you know that have several generations of 4-H’ers in their family?  Please let them know that the 4-H History Committee would love to hear their story.  

When you are exploring your family history, keep the “4-H’ers in Action” photo classes in mind.  There are 4-H classes plus open classes for any adult or youth to enter.  You can enter a photo of any 4-H’er in action, past or present.  You can enter a photo of a grandparent when they were an active 4-Her.  There is a special class for any 4-H photos taken at the 1940 Fair.  There will be cash prizes.  Questions?  Ask JoAnn Blanchard (515-290-1294).

We will honor individuals who have shown the Grand Champion Market Steers since 1940.  This will be part of the 4-H Reunion on July 26.  While our list has been growing, we still need names and addresses of those in1988, 1996 - 1999 and 2005.  If you know anyone of these, please share name and address with Michelle Gibson (Phone: 515-450-4329).

The collection of county fair books from the 1940s to today is nearly complete.  Missing books range from 1941 – 1945 plus 1947 and 1958.  Record books and historian books are good places to look.  Fair books may be left at the Extension Office for the 4-H History Committee.

We are also searching for more photos taken at the 1940 county Fair.  These would be put in a Fair History notebook.  Any help you can give us will be greatly appreciated.  See you at the 75-Year Celebration at the 2015 Story County Youth Fair.

Mark your Calendar………

Story County Youth Fair - July 25 – 29, Fairgrounds, Nevada

4-H Reunion – Sunday, July 26, 2-4 PM, Christy 4-H Hall, Nevada

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The Story County 4-H History Committee is a group of volunteers who have supported the preservation of the Story County 4-H History.  4-H is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Story County, which is located at 220 H Avenue Box 118, Nevada, Iowa 50201.

Contact:  Carolyn Manning, 211 Valley View Circle, Nevada, Iowa 50201 (515-382-6616)

Other Committee Members:

Evelyn Beavers, Ames   515-292-7025

JoAnn Blanchard, Nevada   515-290-1294

Marlys Cooper, Ames     515-450-4676

Mary deBaca, Huxley    515-597-2727

Ralph Manning, Nevada    515-382-6616

Linda Meyers, Story City    515-733-4577

Bob Nervig, Ankeny    515-257-4850

Shirley Pilgrim   515-382-2740

Story County 4-H Reunion Featuring County Fair Queens - July 20, 2014

Join your Friends at the 2014 4-H Reunion

Plans are shaping up for a great 4-H Reunion on Sunday, July 20, 2-4 p.m.in Christy 4-H Hall in Nevada. The program at 2:15 will feature former County Fair Queens. The Fair Queen tradition started in 1972 and has continued every year since. We are looking forward to welcoming them back to the Story County Fair. The 2014 Iowa State 4-H Hall of Fame Honoree from Story County and the 4-H Alum of the Year will be presented. Katrina Weich, a Clover Kid and Luke Fevold, a 4-H’er will share what is exciting about 4-H today. Prizes for the 4-H’ers in Action contest will be awarded plus an update from the Story County 4-H Foundation. Bart Clark, 4-H Alum will be the emcee.

Step back in time through the displays of Story County 4-H History books along with a fair queen memory book and photos. Anyone who would enjoy talking about 4-H today and the past will enjoy this afternoon. Refreshments are courtesy of South Story Bank.

County Fair Queens to be Honored

Plans are being made to honor past Story County Fair Queens the 2014 4-H Reunion. Contacts have been made with queens scattered throughout the U.S. and Australia. Sue Uthe (left) was the first queen in 1972. She and Saundra Longhenry (1995 queen) are looking at the pictures and memories that former queens have contributed to the Fair Queen Memory Book. For more information on plans, call Carolyn Manning at 515-382-6616.

History of 4-H in Story County

The Iowa 4-H Foundation began encouraging the writing of 4-H History with their Centennial in 2001.  In 2011 they began making these available online as a blog.  This page contains links to the history by County in Iowa.  There are currently 44 counties histories available.

The History of 4-H in Story County is one of these.  It describes the history by decade and then special projects such as the Story County 4-H Foundation, the Inspiration Program, and the Story County 4-H Fair.  You can find out more from the Story County 4-H History Committee.  Contact details:

Story County 4-H History Committee
Carolyn Manning
211 Valley View Circle
Nevada, IA 50201
515-382-6616
cmann@midiowa.net
ISU Extension and Outreach - Story County
220 H Ave, Nevada, IA 50201

Current Story County 4-H Highlights and Events are also available online.

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

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!