A New World
Learn about how communication and transportation have evolved over the years. This exhibit will showcase how crucial the newspaper was to spread information throughout the country and how upgraded road systems provided access to the area around Kalona.
Native Americans and Early Pioneers
Explore the first people in our area and study through projectile points, writings, and pictures. Continue with the arrival of the first settlers from the East and the establishment of Joetown, Frytown, Richmond, Middleburg, and Sharon Center. Other events on the timeline include Iowa becoming a state, the Civil War, negotiations with railroad companies to lay a road connecting with towns to the east to the coal fields of What Cheer. The inspirational story of William Louden and the invention of hay trolleys is shared within a small demonstration barn.
The exhibit ends with railroad wall – a wall mural, map of the railroad line, timeline, and full wall graphic of an engine, with a push button train whistle.
Westward Expansion of the Railroad
The second exhibit will preserve and interpret the history of western expansion of the railroad to the local area. The significance of the efforts and vision of the early pioneers to the procurement of the railroad company business was not only vital to the birth of Kalona, but also changed the course of history for the surrounding pioneer communities. The connection to the What Cheer Land & Coal Company will be interpreted in this exhibit and the significance of coal to the railroad and town. The second exhibit will connect the first pioneer exhibit to the third exhibit, the business community.
Founding Families Exhibit
Many families are responsible for the establishment and growth of Kalona. The 2023 family highlighted is the Grady family. Three cases of information, artifacts, and pictures along with original clothing are displayed in the meeting room of the Visitor Center. Learn about “Growing up Grady”, who were involved in a number of business ventures including the Grady Stockyards and Meat Market which are 2 of the most known, but also included the Theater. These businesses will also be in the new streetscape exhibit that will be opening in the Fall of 2023.
Spool Cabinet Exhibit
The largest public display of spool cabinets that were given to stores for free with the purchase of product circa 1880-1915. New – The most complete book on spool cabinets with a value guide, includes the history of sewing thread from 1803. Order from the Kalona Historical Society for $24.95 + shipping $4.05 = $29.00. (Book is shown below)
Paper Doll Exhibit
Newly Finished Streetscape Exhibit
The construction of the new Wahl Museum building was made possible through individual and business contributions, fundraising, and grants from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation and Rotary International.