Iowa Rural Schools Museum

A FRIENDLY QUIZ:

The new "Recess" sculpture near the school museum, with
Odebolt's historic bank in the background.  The sculpture 

was donated in honor of P. Dale and Marge Gronemeyer 

by their children.

What in our community has been visited by over 700 visitors so far, some from as far away as Guam and Hawaii?  What feature of our area history has received nearly $12,000 in private donations and sales and $6000 from businesses in 2014? What has received the Iowa Preservation Award last year and its curator has received an award for her historical book about Victorian times and rural school houses of Iowa?  What boasts two unique bronze statues on its grounds?

The answer to all: the Iowa Rural Schools Museum of Odebolt!

Now, if you have not ever stopped in to see what we have there, you need to put this on your “to do” list.  The first thing that seems to surprise people is that it is NOT only a classroom setting of “back in the day”.  We have inside that one room and entry MANY items from 1883, when this school building was built, to 1951 when it ceased to have classes.

If you have been a visitor in the early days…say Creek Days of 2013…you must come again.

Things have been added, are rearranged, might be specifically featured, and it would take several hours to see it all, guaranteed.  We learn from the folks who relate their experiences of rural school days and take pleasure in the interest of the younger generations discovering that there’s just a bit more than what “Little House on the Prairie” depicts. We thank those who have so generously donated items and continue to do so for our displays and resources.  The artifacts, books and stories of memories are priceless to the visitors’ whole experience.

The Museum is open Wednesdays from 10:00 to 4:00, Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 or by appointment.  Call 712-830-8328 for more information.