Johnson County Historical Society Museum

Our Exhibits

Between Two Rivers: Mesqwaki in Johnson County – Learn about the original settlers of the Johnson County area, the Meskwaki known as the “Red Earth People,” their travels to Johnson County, and their current settlement in Tama, Iowa.

Highlights:

  • Maps of ancestral lands and migration
  • On The Move: Seasonal Living for the Meskwaki People
  • Detailed timeline of events

Early Settlers: Life in Johnson County – Beginning in the 1830’s, westward bound settlers parceled and cultivated the land we know today as Iowa. After the earliest fur-traders came, homesteaders began to stake their claims and eventually entire families followed.

Highlights:

  • Johnson County and the Civil War
  • The Iron Horse Comes to Iowa
  • A New Capitol: Iowa City
  • Fur Traders and the Frontier

Knapp Family Theater: Now showing Voices of Johnson County

Short video highlighting the early history of Johnson County

Home on the Farm: Changes in Farm Life in the Mid-20th Century – Those settling in Johnson County during the 19th century found a landscape containing a mixture of level fields, rolling hills, river bottoms, wetlands, and forested areas. Each environment had opportunities and challenges for those seeking to establish a farm… Incoming farmers altered the landscape to maximize crop production. They cleared trees, cut prairie sod, changed the course of creeks, and filled and drained wetlands. In 1850, 75% of Iowa was prairieland, but by 1900, with the aid of oxen, mules, and horses 90% of Iowa Land had become farm fields.

Highlights:

  • Explore changes in farming by decade through the Bowers Family
  • McCollister Family that settled in northeast Iowa City and view their restored Skelly wagon and take a walk through the barn and check out an original cupola used for barn ventilation

Read All About It:  Spreading the News in Johnson County – Learn about the long-standing history of printing, newspapers, and journalism in our community including working machinery. Watch our social media for scheduled demonstrations!

Highlights:

  • Working c. 1900 Chandler and Price “Old Style” Letter Press
  • Linotype manufactured in 1946 used to print the Daily Iowan
  • Johanna Beers Desk and Typewriter

Blue Top Motel – The Blue Top Motel was an iconic hospitality business in Coralville for over 50 years. Originally owned by Gustave and Iva Falk, the couple built the motel’s cottages between 1943 and 1947. After WWII, the hospitality industry boomed. In 1952, ownership of the motel changed when Lawrence and Helen Smith took ownership. The Blue Top stayed in the Smith family with a second generation of owners until 1996, when the property was sold to a developer.

Highlights:

  • Lifesize replica of a Blue Top Cottage
  • Follow the life of the Blue Top Motel through a pictorial scrapbook made by the owners

Community Stories Project – A glimpse of the cities, towns, and villages of Johnson County, as seen through the eyes of the people who lived it. Johnson County residents opened their scrapbooks, rummaged through old papers, and hunted in the archives to put together accounts of times gone by as well as the present. Explore these communities through photos, stories, and text. Funding provided by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs through the Historical Resource and Development grant program.

Highlights:

  • Touchscreen interactive to explore Johnson County Township Maps and Community information in depth
  • Changing community showcase: Currently highlighting Coralville as they celebrate their Sesquicentennial
  • Share Your Stories Kiosk to share your memories of Johnson County

Cabinet of Curiosities – A space dedicated to JCHS and personal collections and small temporary exhibits. Space is available to display community member collections for two-month time slots. If you are interested in sharing your collection contact Alex at admin@johnsoncountyhistory.org.

Highlights:

  • William and Bertha Olin Music Box Collection
  • Harrold L. Hammond Microscope Collection
  • LaBudde Civil War Firearm Collection
  • Railroad History in Johnson County
  • Temporary Exhibit: Opening Cans in Over Time – History and evolution of can openers and canning from the collection of Doris Montag, Curator of Curious Things

Children’s Area – A 1,000 square foot exhibit space dedicated to youngsters (and the young at heart). Interactive, educational exhibits focusing on the native and pioneer settlement of Johnson County, country schools, and agricultural production.

Highlights:

  • Play space with a Meskwaki Wiki-Up and Fur Traders Cabin
  • Picking Corn Interactive
  • Meskwaki Pictograph Matching Game
  • Country School Room – Can you take the 8th Grade Exam?
  • Mill Display

Temporary Exhibit: Sharon Center High School – Pictorial history of the Sharon Center High School built in 1899

Temporary Exhibit: Down A Country Lane – Iowa Farm Photography by A.M. Wettach – A selection of photos taken by freelance photographer, A.M. “Pete” Wettach, depicting farm and family life prior to 1960

Future Exhibits:

  • They Walked to Zion: The History of the Mormon Handcart Expedition of 1856-1857
  • Business and Industry in Johnson County

Directions

202 E 9th St
Xtreme Arena
Coralville, IA 52241

Hours

  • Monday: Closed
    Tuesday – Sunday:  10:00am – 5:00pm
  • Kids 6 and under and JCHS members FREE!
  • $10/adult and $5/child aged 7 to 12 which includes access to the Antique Car Museum of Iowa. Group rates will be available with prior notice.
  • Contact Us with any questions.