
Benton County Historical Society
P.O. Box 22, Vinton, Iowa
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Home of:
Vinton Depot
and Horridge House
The Horridge House tuckpointing 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. 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.
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, matching eavestroughs and spouts added, the interior spruced up, a handicapped access ramp added to the front steps and a restroom converted to be handicapped accessible! Our next project here will be exterior painting and repair of soffits and overhangs.
Improvements have also been made to the Horridge House. The flat roof area has been re-coated, eavestroughs and spouts have been added, and the house has been tuckpointed. The next project is storm windows for all 28 windows (!) to keep the house weather tight. They will need to be custom made because of the size.
We also need to focus to the General Fund, with which we pay our monthly bills to keep 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!
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!
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. Our email is: bentoncohistorical@gmail.com
Did You Know?
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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Other days/times available by appointment only.
Call Rose at 319-560-9324 or
Ilene at 319-231-0475
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UPCOMING EVENTS
May 12-Dave Baker will present "Historical Medicine in Iowa." It will explore the medical practices in Iowa during a pivotal period in American history. Learn about healthcare, disease and a wide variety of interesting and unusual treatments! Free will donation. Vinton Depot, 6:30 pm
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June 7-Vinton Depot 125th Anniversary
Vinton Depot, 10:00-2:00
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June 9-Darrin Crow will present "Coal Car Riggs and Little Eva". This first person story weaves together the lives of Coal Car Riggs, a hobo, and young farm girl Eva as each struggles to survive the Great Depression in Iowa. Along the way they cross paths with Grant Wood, Jeff Davis, the Hobo King. and Million Dollar Mulligan. Free will donation.
Vinton Depot, 6:30 pm.
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August 23-BoomFest downtown 9:00-2:00 and Civil War re-enactors are camped at the Vinton Depot. 9:00-5:00.
August 24-Civil War re-enactors have mock skirmishes, educational talks, black powder rifle demos.
Vinton Depot 9:00-2:00.
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October 13-November 2-National Orphan Train exhibit. Check back for dates and times. Vinton Depot.
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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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MESSAGES
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 1855-2023 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.
