Jones County Historical Society

The Jones County Historical Society (JCHS) was organized in the early 1970s. All items on display have been donated and volunteers maintain the grounds, buildings and displays. The Edinburgh Pioneer Village is located about 2 miles east of Amber, just off E23, 1/4 mile on Edinburgh Road. From Anamosa, proceed north on Hwy 151 to E23. Turn right on E23 and proceed through Amber about 2 miles to Edinburgh Road (by Edinburgh Manor). Edinburgh Village is behind the Jones County Maintenance Garage.

The Jones County Historical Society is a 503 (c) non-profit organization, open to all. Organized in the early 1970s, the JCHS constructed a museum complex near Edinburgh, Jones County, Iowa, location of the first county seat. The museum complex houses all donated items and volunteers maintain the grounds, buildings and displays. Besides the two main museum buildings, there are eleven buildings, some historic and some recently constructed. The complex compendium of early life in Iowa, from Civil War letters to antique farm equipment. The Jones County Historical Society welcomes all people interested in exploring the past through the lens of local history, targeting audiences, which include teachers/students, families, and individuals with avocational interests in various aspects of history and genealogical endeavors.

The different historical buildings house the collections as follows:

Main Museum: The collections include research materials, such as books, maps, photographs, newspapers, Jones County tax books 1850's to 1940's, family history and genealogy and artifacts, such as clothing, textiles, and objects of everyday life. Unique artifacts include flags, African animals, Dillon furrow artifacts, plat books, school records, military uniforms, significant history newspaper copies, clothing and household items, pictures (towns, mills, bridges).

Small Museum Building: The collections include artifacts, such as clothing, textiles, and objects of everyday life. Unique items include military uniforms, Onslow newspaper, dishes, arrowheads, fossils, rocks, fraternal organization artifacts from the masons, rainbow, odd fellows, royal neighbors, Yo Ho items made in the county, wood carvings of birds and a western bar scene, old toys, and the church alter and stained glass window from the S. S Peter & Paul Lutheran Church in Castle Grove Township.

Doctor Office Museum: The collection includes artifacts used in an early doctor's office. The unique items in this building are an early x-ray machine, two dentist drills (foot operated and electric), and pictures.

Veterinary Office Museum: The collection includes artifacts used by early veterinarians.

Depot Museum: The collection includes artifacts, such as a typewriter patented in the county, telegraph sets early telephones, stamps and seals, lanterns, maps, Scotch Grove Post Office counter, carts and tools used in the depot, railroad lanterns, and a message hook.

Church Museum: The collection includes a working pump organ, communion sets, hymnals, stained glass windows, church bell, an altar, pews from a local church, and baptism certificates.

Schoolhouse Museum: The collection includes the schoolhouse itself, maps, desks, twig collection, pictures, stove, books, and various styles of school desks.

Machine Shed Museum: The collection includes a drop corn planter, a chimney cleaner patented in the county, a feather duster machine, a bolt nut counting machine, an engine driven cement mixer, an early Deering hayloader, a tile spade patented in the county, a hay tedder, sleighs, a broom making machine, querns, one man saw that holds the log, different types of hand tools, miniature farm set - hand made, threshing machines and various other machines.

Blacksmith Museum: The collection includes unique artifacts including a mandrel cone, bellows, tool displays, working forges, line shaft system, and the building itself.

Farm House Museum: The collection includes artifacts found in an early farmhouse with unique artifacts including braided hair, a pump organ, TV, radio, furniture, wardrobe cabinet made from packing crate used to transport belongings.

Dr. Joslin Cabin Museum: The collection includes artifacts the cabin itself, which is a building setup as house and a doctor office, pictures, and various items donated by the family.

The Lemmer Cabin Museum: The collection includes the cabin itself with unique artifacts, such as an early rope bed and spinning wheel, wood cookstove, dishes.

Jail Museum: The collection includes artifacts found in an early jail. Courthouse Museum: The collection includes artifacts found in an early courthouse.

There is no entrance fee for the Edinburgh Pioneer Village , however, donations are appreciated.

Testimonials

Very friendly tour guides, and very knowledgeable. So much to see, will definitely be making a return trip...