Keokuk County Historical Society open house to be held

On Sunday, Sept. 20, the 39th annual Open House will be held at the Keokuk County Historical Society building at the corner of East and Elm Street in Sigourney from 1 to 4 p.m. Doug Wilson of Knoxville will give the program on coal mining at 2 p.m. He will speak and share pictures about the Muchakinock Coal Mining Camp, south of Oskaloosa. The Stone House will be open from 3 to 4 p.m. at 321 N. Shuffleton in Sigourney. All are welcome to attend.

Donated items this year are: What Cheer 150 Years of History 1865-2015; Gowery family diary; school yearbooks and photos; a 1917 Sigourney High School button letter sweater; a set of German World War I binoculars; an antique shotgun; Dragert family history and photos; Neumann family history; Chester Allison family 1950 history and photos; and the refurbished Lewis Memorial Fountain brass workings used for synchronizing the water spray.

Drawings will be for an 1895 Atlas of Keokuk County, postcards and other items. Refreshments will be served after the program.

Officers of the society are: president, Lynn Klein; vice president, Richard Schmidt; secretary, Nancy Weber; and treasurer, June Rice. Board members are Jean Cavin, George House, John Jacobs, Sharon Jacobs, Marlene Leinenweaver, Maryetta Snakenberg, Floyd Strupp, Shirley Watson, and Honorary Harold Woods.

The building is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All visitors are welcome.