REFERENCES & RESOURCES

  County Courthouse & Vital Records

Henry County Courthouse

    100 E. Washington St.
    Mount Pleasant, IA 52641-1931
    Telephone: (319) 385-8480

Iowa, Death Records, 1921-1940

    Index and images of death records from the State Historical Society of Iowa.
Bureau of Vital Records - Iowa Dept. of Public Health
    Department of Public Health,
    Bureau of Vital Records,
    Lucas State Office Building,
    1st Floor, Des Moines, IA 50319-0075,
    (515) 281- 4944 recording

Libraries

  • Crew Public Library 109 S. Main St. Salem - 319-258-9007

  • H J Nugen Public Library 103 E. Main St. New London - 319-367-7704

  • Hillsboro Public Library 100 W. Commercial - 319-253-4000

  • Mt. Pleasant Public Library 307 E Monroe St.; Mt. Pleasant 52641- 319-385-1490

  • Raymond Chadwick Library, Iowa Wesleyan College - 319-385-8021

  • Winfield Public Library 110 W. Ash St. Winfield - 319-257-3247

 

 

Museums of Henry County, Iowa
 [Updated Nov 2020]

Dover Museum, New London

Two floors of exhibits relating to the New London-Lowell area.  Restored railroad depot with train memorabilia.  Genealogical, cemetery, and historical records are also available.
Hours: Sat. & Sun. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. May-November or by appointment
213 W. Main Street
New London, IA 52645
Phone: 319-367-2573 or 1-877-468-7700
email: dovermus@iowatelecom.net

Harlan-Lincoln House, Mt. Pleasant

James Harlan was an Iowa Wesleyan College president, U. S. Senator and friend of President Lincoln. His daughter, Mary, was married to Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln.  Their three children spent summers here.
Hours: Open by appointment
101 West Broad Street
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
Call the Iowa Wesleyan College Alumni Office. 319-385-6215

Henry County Heritage Trust

Henry County Heritage Trust's (HCHT) mission is to transform community landmarks into civic spaces and to preserve historic memories and artifacts in order to promote and celebrate Henry County and its people.

403 West Madison Street
P.O. Box 333
Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641
Telephone: 319.385.4983

HCHT is currently open by appointment only.
Please contact us through Facebook Messenger (link on site) or by phone to arrange a visit to our museums.

Howard & Helen Hills, Henry County Heritage Center

The building was formerly Saunders Elementary School from 1917-1998.  Displays cover both Mount Pleasant and county topics.
403 West Madison Street
Mount Pleasant, IA  52641
Hours:  Saturday, 1 - 4pm, May - October or by appointment.  319-385-4983
pwhite6024@aol.com 

Lewelling Quaker Museum

It was once known as the main ticket office for the Underground Railroad. Many hiding places are revealed. Artifacts from the period fill the museum.
401 S. Main Street
Salem, IA 52649
Hours: Sundays, May-Sept., 1-4 p.m. or by appointment on weekdays.
319-258-4341
fheartsill@iowatelecom.net 

Midwest Old Threshers Heritage Museums

To Preserve and Celebrate Our Midwest Rural Heritage 
405 East Threshers Road, Mount Pleasant
405 E Threshers Rd
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
319-385-8937
www.oldthreshers.com  

P.E.O. Sisterhood Tours

The P.E.O. Sisterhood, founded on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan College, January 21, 1869, is a philanthropic educational organization interested in bringing women increased opportunities for higher education.
601 N. Main St.
Mount Pleasant, IA  52641
319-385-6204

Swedish American Museum

Discover the story of Swedish immigration through exhibits in 4 buildings. Also contains a coffee shop, gift shop & library containing genealogical & historical materials.
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
107 James Avenue
Swedesburg, IA 52652
319-254-2317 or 319-254-2494
swedish@lisco.com

Theatre Museum 

The museum houses unique memorabilia from early American popular entertainment, and a computer-catalogued research library.
405 E. Threshers Road, Mount Pleasant Open Daily - Memorial Day to Labor Day - Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Other times by appointment
Adults $5.00 per person
Kids 10 and under free with adult Admission - $5.
319-385-9432 or 319-385-8937

Van Allen House, Mt. Pleasant

This is the boyhood home of Dr. James Van Allen, space program pioneer. All four Van Allen sons were successful in their chosen careers.
Van Allen House
204 North Van Buren Street
Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
Hours: Open by appointment only. 319-385-4983
pwhite6024@aol.com

Wayland and Midwest Memories Museum

This museum features a rich collection of agricultural antiques.
217 West Main Street
Wayland, IA 52654
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9am - 4pm
319-331-5986
midwestmemories@farmtel.net
midwestmuseum.blogspot.com

Winfield Museum

Displays include a reproduction of Erickson's Toyland, a toy store open in the 1950s-1960s, plus much local memorabilia. Named after Gen. Winfield Scott.
Hours: Mon. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or by appointment
114 S. Locust
Winfield, IA 52659
319-257-6661
www.winfieldhistoricalsociety.com


Archives and Special Projects

Iowa Gravestone Photo Project

Iowa Family Group Sheet

Iowa Old Press

Iowa History Project

Orphan Train Riders to Iowa

Iowa in the Civil War

Iowa in the Great War

Iowa in WWII

WPA Iowa Graves Survey

Iowa State Census Project

USGenWeb Archives

Iowa Federal Census Project

Links

QuickSheets - reference guides

First Name Abbreviations

The History of Henry County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879 - Mitchell Schwartz's website includes maps and biographies. 

Henry Co, IA Free Public Records 

Iowa Pioneers. Research Guide

 

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