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Mount
Pleasant
Time & Temp
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| Tourism |
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Mount
Pleasant and Henry County offer a wealth of historical sights
and interesting tourist attractions. The unique museums scattered
throughout the county preserve the past while offering visitors
a glimpse of days gone by. The county is a virtual treasure
box of museums.
Visit the Old Threshers Heritage Museums and you will
see steam engines, a working threshing machine, antique tractors
and farm implements. Re-live (or get introduced to!) rural
Midwestern life through exhibits such as Women: Partners On
The Land, American Farm Implements, Marvin Mills, Water: Too
Little-Too Much, and When Electricity Comes to the Farm.
The Theatre Museum in Mt. Pleasant is home to a unique
collection of early American entertainment memorabilia including
stage curtains, playbills, costumes and scenery from theatre
touring companies dating to the 1850's. The museum also features
an extensive computer-catalogued research library.
The Harlan-Lincoln Home is the former home of James
A. Harlan, president of Iowa Wesleyan College. Harlan, a state
senator and friend of President Abraham Lincoln, spent his
later years in this lovely home on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan
College. Harlan's daughter, Mary, was married to Robert Todd,
son of Abraham Lincoln, and the home features some of Lincoln's
possessions along with college and other memorabilia.
The Van Allen House Heritage Center is the boyhood
home of Dr. James Van Allen, an important scientist and pioneer
in the space program who discovered the earth's high-energy
radiation belts. The home, which also houses the Henry County
Tourism Association, is being extensively renovated as a visitors'
center and museum and includes period furnishings and Van
Allen and Henry County memorabilia.
The Lewelling Quaker Shrine in Salem is the site of
what was once known as "the main ticket office for the Underground
Railroad". The structure was specifically built to hide escaping
slaves with special closets, trapdoors and cubbyholes. The
museum's furnishings are from the 1840's era.
The Swedish American Museum, located about 10 miles
north of Mt. Pleasant in Swedesburg, celebrates the story
of Swedish immigration to the region through a series of exhibits
showing the family and social life, farming practices, business
activities and major happenings. The museum also features
a gift shop and coffee shop, along with a library of genealogical
and historical materials.
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The
Midwest Old Threshers Heritage Museum is a celebration
of our rich agricultural heritage, with displays of
farming methods and equipment from the late 1800s.
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The
Van Allen House Heritage Center is the boyhood home
of Dr. James Van Allen, an important scientist and pioneer
in the space program.
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The Dover Museum in New London is located in the former
brick creamery building displaying memorabilia of former businesses
along Plank Road, an 1850's toll road through New London (formerly
called Dover). Rotating exhibits and New London and Lowell
area artifacts can be viewed there. The Wayland Museum celebrates
the regional heritage with artifacts of the past, present
and future, including pictures, agricultural items, periodicals,
local folk art, Native American items and rotating exhibits.
The Winfield Museum in nearby Winfield celebrates the
town and the life of General Winfield Scott, for whom the
town is named. Displays include a local newspaper press, fire
equipment, a turn-of-the-century bedroom display and school
room setting along with photos, and memorabilia for 1920's
Iowa Senator William Carden.
Many of these museums have regular hours and all offer tours
available during scheduled hours or by appointment.
Mount Pleasant and Henry County offer a large and varied assortment
of festivals, celebrations and special events from the George
Washington Cherry Pie Festival and the Old Threshers Summer
Theatre to the Family Fall Fest and the P.E.O. Nativity Set
Show.
The highly acclaimed Old Thresher's Reunion draws around 100,000
people to Mount Pleasant for its five-day stint over Labor
Day. The event celebrates Midwestern rural heritage through
farming demonstrations using horses, steam engines, antique
tractors and gasoline engines. Plan to spend some time here
because the Reunion offers steam train and trolley rides,
a steam-powered carousel, great food, antiques, and top music
performers. A complete listing of all area special events
can be found on the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce
website. Mount Pleasant and Henry County boast a number of
fine motels and charming bed and breakfast houses along with
camping opportunities offering ample lodging choices for our
visitors. .
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