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!