Three years in the making, a new permanent exhibit will soon be open to the public at the Kalona Historical Village.
In recent weeks, workers and designers have been putting the finishing touches …
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Three years in the making, a new permanent exhibit will soon be open to the public at the Kalona Historical Village.
In recent weeks, workers and designers have been putting the finishing touches on the new Native American exhibit in the Wahl Museum on the grounds of the Historical Village.
“It will be wonderful to have it done,” Kalona Historical Society President Jan Ferry said. “It’s spectacular. We’re very proud of it.”
The exhibit tells the story of the area around Kalona, starting 13,000 years ago, Ferry said.
She said that the museum worked with the office of the state archaeologist to collect much of the history.
The exhibit includes a timeline, vinyl wall coverings and some interactive pieces.
The design and installation was done by Edwards Creative Services of Milan, Ill.
The exhibit then moves to the early settlers of the communities around Kalona, including Frytown, Joetown, Richmond, Sharon Center, Bayertown and Middleburg.
“Part of the exhibit will cover the years 1838-78 when settlers were moving into the surrounding communities,” Ferry said. “It tells those communities’ histories.
“We talked to a lot of residents of those communities to get the history.”
Ferry said that those communities were thriving until the arrival of the railroad in Kalona, when settlers started moving into town to be closer to the railroad.
There is a 12-foot mural of a steam engine, complete with whistle, that leads to a barn exhibit.
“The barn exhibit tells the history of the hay trolley,” Ferry said. “That exhibit was designed by Steve Weeber.”
Last fall, the Kalona Historical Society received a $24,783 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation to help fund the project.
Ferry said that other funds were raised through donations, as well as proceeds from the annual Kalona Fall Festival.
“One dollar from every Fall Festival button sold over the past three years went toward the exhibit,” Ferry said.
In early-to-mid-September, the exhibit will open to members and donors.
“In late September, it will be open to the public,” Ferry said.
