The Des Moines County Historical Society works to preserve our community’s heritage. Many of our artifacts, photographs, documents, textiles, portraits, and furnishings need specialized conservation to last for future generations.

Your monetary donation helps us protect these irreplaceable pieces of local history and make them accessible for learning and enjoyment.

Please explore our Adopt an Artifact wish list (as of December 2025) and help safeguard history. To adopt an artifact or for more information, contact us at dmchs@dmchs.org or 319.752.7449.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, DMCHS relies on donations like yours. Gifts are tax-deductible and help preserve Des Moines County history.

Thank you for your generosity!

ITEM	DESCRIPTION
Grand Gallery Fireplace	The Grand Gallery Fireplace, complete with a stunning wood carving above the mantle, was commissioned by Philip M. Crapo and needs a deep cleaning and service.
Jewell Water Fountain	An original water fountain gifted by Philip M. Crapo. Temporarily out of service and slated for restoration by 2026.
Grandfather Clock	This stunning grandfather clock, positioned at the bottom of the grand staircase in the Heritage Center, is in need of repairs and full servicing.
Crinoid Exhibit	DMCHS has the third largest collection of crinoids behind the Smithsonian and Harvard, neither of which has their collection accessible to the public.
Orchestra Music Box	This Swiss comb cylinder music box (c. 1850–1880) plays twelve songs and needs full restoration to return to working condition.
Jordan Boats – Restoration and Display	These three recently acquired sailing skiffs were built by James Jordan, a master small boat builder. The boats come with oars and accessories.
Time Clock	Used at Schramm & Schmeig Mfg. Co., this object is in need of a proper display case and pedestal.
Prugh-Arnold Dollhouse	Restoration materials and work are needed to return this dollhouse to good condition. Donations also support a future Derby’s Ditch Exhibit at the Garrett-Phelps House.
Capitol Theatre Film Projector	A 1930s film projector from Burlington’s Capitol Theatre, now on loan to DMCHS. Restoration requires cleaning, rust removal, and replacement parts.
Switchboard	Two of the three known switchboards in Burlington are located at DMCH. Both need cleaning, new parts, and research to assess restoration.
Stained Glass Collection	Several stained glass windows are in need of cleaning and restoration of the wood and dewarping of the glass.
Portrait Collection	Donations support UV and breakage protection glazing for portraits, as well as needed conservation treatment.
Sliding Storage Shelves	In an effort to reorganize the archive room, new sliding storage shelves are needed to store objects securely and efficiently.
Framed Collections Storage	New storage is needed to securely and safely house our framed collections in our archive room.
Walter Bied Inlaid Library Table	Walter Bied inlaid this table with over 2 million pieces of 200+ natural wood varieties. Archival-safe display materials are needed to properly exhibit and protect it.
1880s Wooden Steam Pipe	Originally installed by the Steam Supply Co., this pipe reflects early electricity generation. Safe asbestos removal and wood restoration are needed.
1880-1900 Wheelchair	Wooden wheelchair used by Pauline “Lena” Crawford, a little person who lived in Mediapolis, IA, in the late 1800s. Donations support a disability history exhibit.
General Archival Materials	Archival materials are essential for museums to preserve firsthand evidence of history, culture, and society.
Conservation Lab Materials & Digital Archive Completion	Conservation lab materials help the museum safely clean, stabilize, and preserve artifacts. Completing a digital archive ensures secure, accessible records for research and protection.
Mobile Blueprint Rack	A mobile rack for storing large maps, architectural drawings, and posters safely and accessibly.
Flat File Cabinets	Flat file cabinets provide secure, organized storage for delicate documents, photographs, and works on paper, protecting them from damage.
Solid Top Dollies	Essential for storing and displaying large, heavy objects safely.
Archival Boxes	Used for paper ephemera, collected books, journals, letters, and small memorabilia.
Postcard Collection Archival & Preservation Materials	Postcards serve as valuable historical and cultural artifacts that capture visual, social, and personal aspects of the past, documenting places, events, communication styles, and artistic trends. Proper preservation protects them from damage and keeps history accessible.
Custom-Built Portable Art Gallery Walls	Custom-built portable walls create flexible exhibition spaces, allowing displays without damaging permanent walls.
Dehumidifiers	By controlling moisture, dehumidifiers protect artifacts and historic interiors from damage and ensure long-term preservation.
Nitrile Gloves	Wearing nitrile gloves when handling museum artifacts is crucial to protect delicate objects from oils, dirt, and moisture.
Acid-Free Tissue Paper	Acid-free tissue paper is essential for storing delicate artifacts such as Acid-free tissue paper helps safely store textiles, documents, and fragile objects by preventing chemical damage.
Archival 35mm Slide Preservation Kit	This storage solution features a drop-front outer box, six inner trays, and 36 dividers, perfect for sorting and protecting up to 660 glass-mounted or 1,320 paper-mounted photographic slides.
Garrett-Phelps House (General Maintenance Needs)	Regular maintenance, including roof and drainage care, system inspections, climate and pest control, and conservation of historic finishes, protects the home, its collections, and its historic character.
Garrett-Phelps House Wallpaper Initiative	Historically accurate wallpaper helps preserve the Garrett-Phelps House’s authentic appearance and protects wall surfaces.
Victorian Era Sofas	Cleaning and upholstery work are necessary to restore the beautifully crafted sofas in the DMCHS collection to their former glory.
Burlington Free Public Library Bench	A former piece of the Burlington Free Public Library, cleaning and upholstery will get this bench back in usable condition.
5 Historic Gasoliers & Ceiling Lamps	Cleaning, installation, and electrical connection are needed for these historic light fixtures at the Garrett-Phelps House.