Pella Community Memory Database

This overview of the Memory Database is valid as of 2024-04-04. For each collection below, the link takes you to the named collection at the Pella Community Memory Database. Below this, in italics, is the description (verbatim) from that collection. Following this are additional details. Note that at the top of every page is a search box where you can type an item. Alternatively, you can use the Advanced Search link to give you finer control of where you search. Note that many descriptions refer to other Pella organizations: Historic Pella Trust (now renamed to Pella Preservation Trust), Pella Historical Society And Museums, and Pella Public Library. Additionally, note that when you browse each collection, at the top of the left sidebar are the list of collections with checkboxes, so you can know where you are, but also quickly change or include multiple collections. The second item in the sidebar is a list of topics within the collection and it may be useful to choose one of these if there are many items and you wish to narrow the items. The third item in the sidebar allows you to do the same for the date of publication and the fourth is also similar except for the publisher.

Barns and Farms

This collection documents historic Barns located near Pella, Iowa. Many pictures are unidentified; please contact cbrown@cityofpella.com if you have information on them. Courtesy HISTORIC PELLA TRUST.

This collection consists of 16 records of photos with descriptions.

Business Men

The Business Men Collection is a small collection of photographs that depict various business men in Pella, including their place(s) of business. Most photographs were taken in the 1930s, but dates vary by photograph. Courtesy PELLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUMS.

This collection consists of 119 records with photos and descriptions. The Topics window in the left side-bar allows to view names, professions, and more. The last names included are: Aschenbrenner, Baer, Bakker, Baron, Boat, Broekstra, Brom, Caldwell, Cook, De Haan, De Hoog, De Jong, De Vries, De Winter, De Wit, Den Adel, Dykstra, Gass, Grant, Gysen, Hartley, Henry, Hoeksema, Kanis, Kempkes, Klein, Klyn, Kuyper, Le Cocq, Liter, Lubberden, Meupolder, Muepolder, Ozinga, Pardekooper, Plette, Pothoven, Roovaart, Schilder, Tysseling, Van Gorp, Van Houweling, Van Vliet, Vander Linden, Vander Ploeg, Vermeer, Versteeg, Vogelaar, Waechter

Churches

Browse historical photographs of the many churches of Pella! This collection includes some church congregations which no longer exist. Courtesy PELLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUMS and HISTORIC PELLA TRUST.

This collection consists of 79 records with photos and descriptions. Many of these records are listed and described in the Pella page (once there, click on the desired church name to see associated records). This Pella page is one of many within the Churches section of this site (created last spring).

City of Pella

This collection documents the history of Pella city departments and public works projects. Highlights include photographs of historical utilites plants, road projects, City Council members, and more. Not included are City Parks, which are found in a separate collection. Courtesy PELLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUMS and HISTORIC PELLA TRUST.

This collection consists of 218 records of images or documents with descriptions.

De Wild Photography

De Wild Photography was a photo studio run by Al De Wild and his wife, Marlys, for many years.

De Wild Photography was located on the top floor of the T & D Department Store (also owned by the De Wilds). This department store was located in the building that now houses Brew Coffee House and George's Pizza, just east of Marion County Bank on the north side of Franklin Street.

This collection is but a sample of the many photo negatives from that photography shop that tell Pella's history.

This collection consists of 133 records of photos with descriptions.

Family History Files

The Family History Files are an extensive collection of loose-leaf materials encompassing the history of many families associated with Pella. Containing information on over 300 different families and individuals, it includes written histories, family trees, photographs, and primary source letters and other documents. Courtesy PELLA PUBLIC LIBRARY.

This collection consists of 843 records of documents with descriptions. This might be a good place to search for a name of interest to you. NOTE: these documents are not OCR-searchable, so the search only looks at the descriptions, and does not search within the documents.

Houses

View photographs of historic Pella homes! Many different time periods are included. Courtesy: PELLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUMS and HISTORIC PELLA TRUST.

This collection consists of 232 records of photos with descriptions.

Lautenbach - Toom Family

A collection of pictures and family histories of the Lautenbach and Toom Families. John and Charles Lautenbach became Pella architects and designed both of the Tulip Toren towers - the original wooden tower and the permanent monument which now stands. John Lautenbach also designed the famous Lautenbach home near Fareway Grocery on West Washington Street (at the time Highway 163).

Images: Lautenbach Home and Tulip Toren

Courtesy WILL VERHOEF.

This collection consists of 54 records of photos and documents with descriptions.

Nossaman Family

The Nossaman Family Collection contains photographs and artifacts of the extended family of the four Nossaman Brothers: Wellington, Levi, Lewis, and John Armstrong.

Three brothers, Wellington, Levi and Lewis arrived in Pella in 1843. The brothers farmed south of Pella at the end of the elevator road and all played a significant role in the building of the Pella community, assisting the Dutch immigrants and later, Central College. A fourth brother, John Armstrong Nossaman, joined his brothers around 1850 after the death of their father, John Conrad Nossaman in 1849. The direct descendents of John Armstrong and Marvana Nossaman still live in and around Pella. Brothers Richard and David Nossaman, great, great grandsons of John Armstrong, are the 5th generation to own and operate the family farm along the banks of the Des Moines River.

Courtesy AMY NOSSAMAN.

This collection consists of 19 records of photos with descriptions.

Oral Histories

Listen to citizens of Pella, Iowa tell about our history, in their own words! Oral histories are recorded interviews in which a person is asked to talk about their life experiences. This is a completely unique way to experience Pella's history! your site. Audio CD versions are available for check out at the Pella Public Library.

This collection consists of 8 records of audio files and sometimes a photo of the speaker, with descriptions. Currently, the list speakers: Donald Rouwenhorst, Gary Van Vark, Henry Vande Kieft, Jack Thomassen, Lorraine Verros, Nola Vander Streek, Peggy Pierson, Ron Rietveld.

Park Views

This collection includes photographs of Pella's parks througout its history. Courtesy PELLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUMS.

This collection consists of 164 records of photos with descriptions.

Pella Community Schools

The Pella Community School District collection contains photographs, scrapbooks and more relating to the history of the Pella, Iowa public school system.

This collection consists of 50 records of photos or documents with descriptions.

Pella First Baptist Church

The Pella First Baptist Church collection contains records and other historical documents starting as far back as 1844. The collection provides a rare look into the history of a church which was organized before the founding of Pella in 1847. Courtesy PELLA FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

NOTE: This collection contains high-resolution PDF files with large file sizes. For best performance, it is recommended to download files you wish to view from the site and browse them locally, rather than try to browse them online.

This collection consists of 77 records of photos or documents with descriptions.

Pella Women's Club

The Pella Women's Club Collection contains scrapbooks pertaining to the activities and events of the Club. Also known as the Pella Women's Federated Club, the group was a very active civic and philanthropic organization in Pella. The Club was disbanded in 2015.

This collection consists of 2 records of documents with descriptions.

People Photographs

This collection is a part of the Pella Historical Society and Museums archives. It includes photographs of figures from througout the history of Pella and Marion County, Iowa. Courtesy PELLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUMS.

This collection consists of 1203 records of photos with descriptions.

Selected Historical Documents

A select collection of longer historical documents owned by the Pella Public Library. This collection is currently undergoing development and images or metadata may be incomplete or unavailable. Courtesy PELLA PUBLIC LIBRARY.

This collection consists of 0 records at this point.

Street Views

Take a look at downtown Pella from the past! This collection of photographs documents the changes in street-level views and buildings throughout Pella's history. Courtesy PELLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUMS and HiSTORIC PELLA TRUST.

This collection consists of 792 records of photos or documents with descriptions.

VanEe Family

A collection of pictures and family histories of the VanEe Familiy. Courtesy WILL VERHOEF.

This collection consists of 60 records of photos or documents with descriptions.

Witzenburg Family

The Witzenburg Family Collection is a series of three scrapbooks containing photographs, letters, and other first-person documents. Also included are genealogical charts and other notes related to family history. Donated by Carolyn Niemantsverdriet.

This collection consists of 202 records of photos or documents with descriptions.

8mm Films

This collection ranging from the late 1940's to the early 1970's shows much of Pella's past and the affects it had on the unidentified family in which these films originally belonged to. Including a look into Vermeer Manufacturing in the 1960's, a time lapse of the building of Red Rock dam, many Tulip Time floats, and other miscellaneous moments, this collection contains a wealth of knowledge on the lives and everyday interactions of Pella, Iowa.

This collection consists of 22 records of videos with descriptions.