Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Winfield Museum needs your help
By Linda Haight
Oct. 23, 2025 9:31 am
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
In May of 2021, Dave and Tina Becker donated the old Elliot Building at 108 N. Locust to the Winfield Historical Society. Built in 1907, this building is one of the few original brick buildings left on main street.
The museum was thrilled to receive this gift due to our need for more display and storage space. Since then, we have made repairs and updates as funds became available.
We have completed essential brick tuckpointing, weather proofed the basement windows, repaired damaged floor joists in the basement, replaced the front windows, and replaced the sidewalk in front of the building. This gave the front of the building a new fresh look, and it looks fantastic!
We have completed these projects through grants and generous donations and would like to thank all of those who have helped. You can check out our progress at our website, http://www.winfieldhistoricalsociety.com. or on our Facebook page.
We are ready to begin work on the inside of the building. Unfortunately, we need to raise $200,000 to completely remodel the inside with all new wiring, plumbing, and HVAC. This would include adding new display areas, a handicapped accessible restroom, office space, and storage. Our goal for completing the inside renovations is August 2026.
We are asking alumni of Winfield Mt. Union School, relatives of past graduates, community members, and friends to step up and help us complete these renovations. Many of you may have already received a letter and pledge card in the mail. Donations of any amount will be gratefully accepted.
For those of you who are willing and able, we are asking you to make a commitment of $2500 to this project. In doing so your name will be listed on the Winfield Museum Honor Wall in the new building.
Pledge cards include four ways to donate; a donation of any amount, a one-time donation of $2500, two donations of $1250 given in 2025 and 2026, or 4 donations of $625 given in 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028.
You can give personally, as a business, as a memorial, or in memory of someone special. All donations are tax deductible as we are a nonprofit 501C Corporation. We are a completely volunteer organization.
If you have not received a pledge card and would like one, please email us at winfieldiowahistoricalsociety@gmail.com or go to City Hall to pick one up. The museum is open Monday mornings from 10 a.m. until noon.
As alumni, relatives, friends, and members of the Winfield community we can all be proud to help preserve our rich history with our new museum for future generations.
Winfield has so much to be proud of including a beautiful golf course and swimming pool, the Henry County Freedom Rock, a strong school system, wonderful churches, an excellent care center, and many impressive businesses and services. Our community is an exceptional group of people who are always willing to help each other. Restoring this building will be one more opportunity for us to pull together to help ensure Winfield remains a strong and growing community.
Please help the Winfield Historical Society invest in the future by preserving the artifacts, stories, and legacies of those who have made and are continuing to make Winfield such a special place. Thank you! Please help us achieve our goal and make a pledge today!