Des Moines County Historical Society

Viking Mississippi Docking: July 4, 2023
2023-07-04 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Calling All Volunteers!
The Viking Mississippi will be docking on Tuesday July 4, 2023. They will be expected to arrive at 10:00 A.M. and depart at 4:30 P.M.
They will be visiting the Heritage Center only.
As for being the first Viking boat of the season, let’s give these guests what Burlington has to offer!
If you would like to volunteer for DMCHS, please contact the Heritage Center at (319) 752-7449 to discuss how you can help us! For all volunteers who have helped us in the past, please give us a call and verify if you will be attending!
NOTE: Due to low Mississippi River water levels and the size of the cruise liner, there is always a chance of an unsuccessful landing of the boat. Keep in touch by contacting Coltonn@dmchs.org for current riverboat traffic information.

Craig Smith: The Beauty and History of the New Crystal Lake Club
2023-01-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Heritage Center, 501 N 4th Street, Burlington, IA, 52601, United States
The presentation will share from the recorded history of one of the most unique hunting and social clubs located along the Mississippi River. The New Crystal Lake Club has a rich tradition of conservation, preservation and documentation of the natural resources that were originally created even before the levee system and the drainage ditch era were developed in west central Illinois. With strong ties to Burlington, early members with names like Leopold, Schramm, Perkins and Young dedicated themselves to preserving a natural wetland for recreation and enjoyment for outdoorsman and their families. The club history goes back to 1885 and the stories that are documented are a tribute to the vision and the passion that has kept Crystal Lake as active and vital and beautiful as ever despite all the modernizations and changes that surround the property today. Please join us as we share about this hidden gem just miles away from the Burlington riverfront. Doors open at 7:50 am.

Steve Brower: Aldo Leopold and the Roots of the Land Ethic
2022-12-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Heritage Center, 501 N 4th Street, Burlington, IA, 52601, United States
Biographers, conservationists, and philosophers are interested in identifying the sources of Leopold’s Land Ethic. Through family history research and interviews with the Leopolds, new information has surfaced, explaining how Aldo started on the path to the Land Ethic at a very early age, even before starting school. This program covers some of the high points of Leopold’s career in Wisconsin and the Southwest, before focusing in on some of the newly found sources in Burlington. This way, people who are new to Leopold’s ideas can first learn of his significance before going into the details of how his Burlington roots influenced his career. This program uses photos and quotes from Aldo’s childhood and early career to study the influences from his youthful discoveries. We take a look at some of Aldo’s favorite places to learn more about his reflections used in later writings and development of the Land Ethic.

Janet Hesler: The History of Danville
2022-11-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Heritage Center, 501 N 4th Street, Burlington, IA, 52601, United States
Bob and Janet Hesler will be discussing the history of Danville and its evolution from a stagecoach stop to a thriving small town in SE Iowa. They will also discuss the Anne Frank pen pal connection and museum. To find out more about these interesting topics, you will want to attend this Town Hall Meeting. Please use the Columbia Street door (with the blue awning). Doors open at 12:45.

Mark Tabbert: History of Freemasonry in Burlington, Iowa since 1840
2022-10-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Heritage Center, 501 N 4th Street, Burlington, IA, 52601, United States
The first Masonic meeting in the Iowa Territory was held on the evening of November 6, 1840, in the Burlington carpenter shop of Brother Evan Evans. That meeting led to the chartering of the Des Moines Lodge No 41 by the Grand Lodge of Missouri. In 1844 the Des Moines Lodge was rechartered as the first lodge in the Grand Lodge of Iowa, and continues to meet to the present day. What is Freemasonry? How did it come to Burlington? And what do Freemasons do? These questions, along with an explanation of the numerous other fraternal organizations that once, and still serve diverse Burlington communities will be presented.
Please use the Columbia Street door with the blue awning. Doors will open at 5:45.

Cathy Ziglar: Bat Conservation in Des Moines County
2022-10-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Heritage Center, 501 N 4th Street, Burlington, IA, 52601, United States
Many people think of bats as mysterious, and maybe even a little scary, but bats provide important pollination, pest control, and seed dispersal benefits to agriculture and natural environments, and they are important players in food webs. In recent years bat populations have been in dramatic decline due to climate change, habitat loss, wind turbines, and a deadly fungal disease that affects mostly hibernating bats in North and Central America. It is estimated that nearly seven million bats have been lost in North America to White-nose Syndrome (WNS) since 2007. Of the 47 bat species living in the United States and Canada, nearly half of them hibernate through the winter. In the U.S. WNS has been confirmed in 37 states, including Iowa, and the disease has killed over 90% of northern long-eared, little brown, and tri-colored bat populations. All three of these species are found in Des Moines County. This presentation will highlight some of the bat conservation efforts taking place in Des Moines County.
Please use the Columbia Street door with the blue awning. Doors will open at 12:45.

Dave Lotz: Burlington's Railroads
2022-09-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Heritage Center, 501 N 4th Street, Burlington, IA, 52601, United States
Railroad historian and Burlington native, David Lotz, will present a Town Hall on the Railroads of Burlington. He will provide historical photos and information on the Burlington Route’s railroads from its inception in 1849, to its merger in 1970 becoming the Burlington Northern and beyond. His presentation will include information about the Burlington shops and the Burlington’s two narrow gauge rail lines as well as information on the Rock Island line. A brief question and answer session will be held at the conclusion of the presentation.
We encourage you to use the Columbia Street door with the blue awning, doors will open at 12:45. If you are a railroad enthusiast, you will want to attend this Town Hall Meeting!

Rodney Botts: Early Street Cars in Burlington
2022-09-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Heritage Center, 501 N 4th Street, Burlington, IA, 52601, United States
Ever wonder how people got around in early Burlington? Ever wonder about street cars? Rodney Botts will be discussing early Burlington street cars. Please use the Columbia Street door (with the blue awning). Doors open at 12:45.

Terry Peterson and John Ramsey: Local Decoy Carvers
2022-08-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Heritage Center, 501 N 4th Street, Burlington, IA, 52601, United States
Terry Peterson and John Ramsey will be giving a program on local decoy carvers! Burlington has been the home to some remarkable local carvers over the years, including Hal Sorenson and William O. Ewinger. Come on down and learn about this fascinating craft! Please use the Columbia Street door (with the blue awning). Doors open at 12:45

Paul French: Historic Maps of Burlington
2022-07-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Heritage Center, 501 N 4th Street, Burlington, IA, 52601, United States
Paul French will be giving a presentation on historic maps of Burlington. See how the town has changed over the last 190 years! Paul is a local historian who specializes in historic maps and finding obscure information. Please use the Columbia Street Door (with the blue awning). Doors open at 12:45
