Delaware County Historical Society

The Delaware County Historical Society is a nine building complex.  Home of the former Lenox College located in Hopkinton, Iowa.  DCHS is focused on preserving the past, in the present, for the future.  We are asking for funds to help grow our endowment.  With a nine building complex, the maintenance is a lot.  Every year we are trying to fix up the buildings to keep them around for generations to come.  That's where we need your help.  

We are not just a society but a museum.  Housing the past of Delaware County in each building.  All cities and towns in Delaware County are represented here at the Society.  

In the past five years, many big projects we have finished at the museum.  Some of these projects include tuckpointing Old Main, Repairing windows in Old Man, Repairing the stained glass windows in the R.P. Church, restoring the caboose, replacing a block long of sidewalk on the outside premises, cleaning and restoring the monument, and the next project being fixing up the R.P. Church.  

The cornices will be restored back to its original state.  It will be primed and painted.  Cracked bricks will be replaced.  Tuckpointing will be done.  Holes in the building will be filled and repaired.  The bell tower will be repaired.  Tin work will be repaired as well.  A lot will go into getting the church back to its original condition.

The Museum is visited by many people from all over the United States. The buildings are open for tours which can be guided or self guided. We also have slide show presentations. Our educational program has just been updated adding Maple Syrup making, One Room School House classes for home schooled kids, and church education.
Campus Fundraising Includes: Civil War Days, Butterfly Release, Lenox College Day, and Radio Dinner Theater.

The Museum also include educational presentations, school tours, luncheons, weddings, antique markets, auctions, receptions, fundraisers, tractor-cades, automobile tours, Cemetery Walks, Boy Scout Jamborees, "The Fiery Trial: Iowa & the Civil War", and more.

The Delaware County Historical Society keeps the memories and legacy of Lenox College alive. With the endowment, we are locking in the future of the Museum. Funds will be available to help with all of the maintenance projects. We thank you for supporting us.

Testimonials

"Love all the history and details in the actual setting of the old college campus. Felt like I was here when history happened." - Rosie Feldmann

"The wide variety of exhibits. No matter how many times I've been there I always find something I didn't see at the previous visits." - Nikie Wear-Busch

"There is a lot to see. Beautiful grounds with awesome buildings and artifacts. Delaware County is lucky to have this place. Thanks for all the hospitality." - Mark Nosbisch

"I wanted to post a HUGE THANK YOU to the wonderful docent (am guessing he does many other things, too!) who was so gracious with his time on Thurs., Aug. 6 in the afternoon as the trio from MN and CA passed through Hopkinton. Your work is amazing and I can't wait until I can spend a day going through all your buildings. Again, thank you and God bless your work!" - Jan Hoag

"Had a wonderful experience on a very warm day. Was totally amazed how well this very old "college" presents itself. Lots to take in. Museum volunteers had a great lunch for the group I was with- held in the gymnasium. The grounds are beautiful, with all the work done by the volunteers. Worth the time to see." - Rosa Boisen

"Very enjoyable wonderfully nice people." - Jon McDowell

"If you ever get the opportunity to visit when the museum is open, do so. Take a walk through Iowa history." - Lea Clark

"I love history. That's why i got married there." - Marisa Summers