Benton County Historical Society
Vinton, Iowa
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Home of:
Vinton Depot
and Horridge House
The Vinton Depot Roof is Done!
The Vinton Depot is a proud partner of Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Site. Their website is: https://www.silosandsmokestacks.org
Iowans are “Iowa Nice.” We’re considerate and respectful. We’ll throw out a “farmer wave” to anyone who crosses our path and even offer a helping hand to our neighbor as well as a stranger. We’re Iowans. Together we form a community of Bentonians . . . those who call Benton County, Iowa, home. We share a heritage that has shaped our values and made us who we are today.
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The Benton County Historical Society works hard to provide opportunities to enhance our heritage and values, but we can’t do it alone. Because of grants and generous donations from people such as yourself, we now have the Depot roof replaced! The dormers have been tuckpointed, eaves troughs and downspouts have been added and we can call this project complete. The interior has also been spruced up. Due to grants from the Vinton Hotel Occupancy Tax Grant we have been able to add a ramp for easier access to the Vinton Depot and are renovating the restrooms to be more accessible. We are Very Excited about all the improvements!
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It’s now time to turn our focus to the general fund, with which we pay our monthly bills to keep all of our buildings and artifacts at a climate controlled temperature. There are so many things we would love to do, but the bottom line is that the BCHS Board needs operating income to clean, maintain, advertise, provide programming, organize, sort, budget, etc. . . BCHS still needs your financial help!
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We’re a family in this little rural community and those basic roots that sprouted here years ago continue to influence our “Iowa Nice” mentality. Please contribute generously so we can continue to shape our future by remembering those things that made us who we are today. Become a member. Get involved. Make a difference today!
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Together we can continue to mold our future by remembering the values of the hard-working ancestors that forged Benton County. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you for your donation. Thank you for being apart of our community. And thank you for being “Iowa Nice”!
Click to go to our Facebook page where we share tidbits of Vinton and Benton County history.
NEWS
Our monthly meeting is the 4th Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. Located at the Horridge House at 612 First Avenue, Vinton. The public is welcome!
If you have any ideas for future programs, please let us know.
Did You Know?
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The Horridge House is open on Wednesdays from
1:00-4:00 pm.
Come take a tour of the house or research your
Benton County genealogy.
612 First Avenue, Vinton
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UPCOMING EVENTS
August 26 - Boom-Fest Booth from 9 AM - 2 PM. Downtown Vinton.
August 26 and 27 - Civil War Re-enactors at the Depot. Demonstrations and you can fire a black powder rifle! Free. More info on our Facebook page.
Sept. 30- Paranormal event "A Walk in the Past." Special guests: Chad Lindberg, Dave Schrader and Josh Heard. Tickets available.
October 14 - Depot Fall Festival 10 AM - 2 PM 42 North Winery, Beast & Bird food truck, face painting, pumpkin painting, bake sale and more.
October 21- Darrin Crow, storyteller extraordinaire, will do a presentation on Edgar Allen Poe. Time: TBA
November 4- Paranormal "Boos & Booze" event. 42 North Winery, Big Grove craft beer, free samples, closed containers available for purchase to take home.
December 2 - Cocoa & Cookies with Santa at Depot 10 AM - 2 PM. Photos available.
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Josh and Katie Hopkins, professional paranormal investigators, organize tours of the Horridge House and the Vinton Depot for investigating paranormal activity!
Check out their website:bchsparanormaltour. wixsite.com/paranormal to sign up for an investigation.
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Also take a look at their Facebook page:
"Benton County Historical Society Paranormal Tours"
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Lots of videos to check out!
The Benton County Historical Society is currently raising funds for the general funds required for the maintenance of both properties.
If you would like to help with these needs, please consider contributing. BCHS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For your convenience, here are three ways you may donate:
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In person at: Farmers Savings Bank & Trust - Vinton
Mail to:
BCHS
PO Box 22
Vinton, IA 52349
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Online:
Click on the Donate button above on the left or on the Menu tab
Thank you!
The Vinton newspapers have been digitized from 1855-2022 due to a collaboration between the BCHS and Vinton Public Library.
Click on the link below to start exploring! If you have any problems, read the "Help" section on the newspaper site.