Monthly meetings, open to the public, are held on the third Monday of each month from March to December. The society has a committee for each of the properties and other committees are: education, collections, and genealogy/research. All of the committees are eager to welcome new members into active participation. Members of the society receive a quarterly newsletter informing them of activities and opportunities for involvement. Membership dues are $10.00 per person for a 1 year membership or $150.00 for a lifetime membership. Please mail to BCHS, c/o Treasurer, PO Box 22, Vinton, Iowa 52349.
The three properties (see map) owned and maintained by the BCHS are
The Horridge House, The Ray House, and The Depot and Rail Museum.
Tours available Wednesdays between 1:00-4:00 P.M.
Phone 319-472-4325 to Schedule a Tour
It would be appreciated if appointments for scheduled tours could be made two weeks in advance.
The Research/Genealogy Department is located at the Horridge House. The department assists people with Benton County historical research and family genealogies. Donations accepted for research by mail are $5 to open a search and the first half hour, $7 for the first hour and each additional hour, copies are $ .50. If you would like the society to assist you with your research please contact them at e-mail: bchs@www.mebbs.com or send your request to BCHS Research, PO Box 22, Vinton, Iowa 52349.
The R & G Department has the following available:
Family Histories A-Z, Benton County Histories.
Cemetery records mid to late 1800's-early 1970's.
Collection of obituaries from the late 1800's-1993.
Scrapbooks of local newspaper clippings from 1901-1932.
Plat books from the late 1800's-1900's.On microfilm we have:
Census records.
Vinton Eagle Newspapers 1882-1917.
Mortgage and land deed records.
Old church records.Donations at the door: $2.00 per person.
The Pioneer Reocollections book is for sale by the society for $18.00, which includes postage and the separate index.
The Bear Creek Cemetery ladies have made CD's that are available for sale. The proceeds go to upkeep and maintenance of the old part of the cemetery because it doesn't apply as a Pioneer Cemetery since the part of the cemetery across the road is in use. However, the township trustees only mow the old cemetery, but do not do any maintenance of it.
The CD's contain:
Over 1300 obits.
Some Census Records for Harrison Township.
Pictures of grave stones and the Bear Creek Church.
Memorial Day Celebrations starting in the 1880's to the present.
News Items.The cost of the CD's are:
$30 for obits only.
$20 for the pictures of the stones.For more information contact Martha Long at jimartlong@aol.com or Alice Meyer at ameyer1935@prodigy.net
