History of flight comes to Marengo museum

MARENGO — The Iowa County Historical Society is commemorating the 115th anniversary of the first flight of Iowa County’s daredevil aviator, Eugene Ely with an exhibit

A nationally acclaimed early bird pilot, Ely taught himself to fly in 1909 and, two years later, became the first person to land on and take off from an aircraft carrier.

In recognition of his inaugural flight, the historical society’s Pioneer Heritage Museum, 675 E. South Street, in Marengo, is hosting as part of its summer exhibition, selections from the renowned collection and archives of historian David V. Wendell.

The nationally recognized display highlights the world’s largest collection of autographed hand carved and painted mahogany models of aircraft from the dawn of flight with the Wright Brothers to the modern technology of today.

Each meticulously researched and handcrafted to-scale replica is detailed and accurate, and all are signed by the pilots and aviators from the era of World War I to the contemporary age.

The exhibition is a distinctive addition to the Pioneer Heritage opening June 1.

The museum is also hosting a special celebration of National Aviation Day, which observes the birthday of Orville Wright (who resided as a child in Cedar Rapids) at 2 p.m. Sunday Aug. 18 on the museum campus.

Wendell will deliver the historical society’s 2024 Summer lecture as the Keynote Speaker for the event. “The Navy Gets Its Wings: Iowa County’s Daredevil Aviator Eugene Ely,” will present the story of how a young mechanic from landlocked Williamsburg introduced the world to the possibilities and practicality of creating a mobile Naval force of planes at sea.

“I am pleased to bring a selection from my collection, including the Curtiss Pusher flown by Ely, to the Pioneer Heritage Museum,” said Wendell.

“Iowa County should be very proud of its aviation heritage including such names as Ely, World War II Ace, Frank Dubisher, and local fixed base operator, John Tibben,” Wendell said.

“All of them made a difference in aviation history around the world or here at home and should be remembered … that’s what this is all about and why I am so elated to tell these stories.

“Besides, who else is going to bring an aircraft carrier to Marengo?”

Admission to the museum is free, but donations are appreciated. Call 319-642-7018 for more information.

The Pioneer Heritage Museum is composed of seven structures in a historical park adjacent to the Iowa County Fairgrounds. It provides an opportunity to step back in time to the days of Iowa County’s earliest settlers as they built their first log cabin and the Golden Age of the railroad depot that greeted the farmers and business leaders who would build the county into a thriving agricultural and industrial center along the main line and branches of the Rock Island Railroad.

The Hursh farmhouse of the Victorian era is authentically restored to present the lifestyle of a typical family in Iowa County of the late 19th century and is complemented by a classic red barn that showcases conveyances of the day when horsepower meant four hooves.

See Bee’s Service Station, with its iconic red gravity pumps that were once the landmarks on the nation’s transcontinental roadways such as Highway 6, that followed in the paths of the first stagecoach trails through Iowa City and points west.

From the cabins and carriages of the first pioneers to the pioneering roadway that would carry everything from the Model T to Teslas of today across America, the Pioneer Heritage Museum brings to life the strong cultural, commercial, and personal legacy of the Iowa and English River Valleys from Victor to the Amanas, North English to Marengo.