Religion has always played a very important role in Mahaska County, Iowa. One of the credits to the county has been its people's tolerance for others to worship freely without fear. This photograph depicts the Central Methodist Church in Oskaloosa,…
From the middle of the 19th to the early 20th Centuries, women were organizing and discussing topics ranging from abolition to temperance. Literature was another topic many women enjoyed meeting together to discuss. Pictured here is Bernice Lacey,…
During pioneer days in the Midwest, women held very important responsibilities to see to it that her spouse and children were cared for. The phrase, a woman's work is never done, certainly holds true, especially during this time period. In this…
This is a photograph taken of Samira Ann Hobbs Phillips, the first school teacher in Mahaska County, Iowa, in 1844. The first schoolhouse in Mahaska County was located approximately two miles east of Oskaloosa. Fighting the elements, heavy…
This is a photograph taken of a wickiup, a dwelling style used by nations falling under Algonquin influence (Great Lakes and Midwest). This particular wickiup was composed of elm bark, which is a common tree found in the Midwestern part of the…
This is a portrait of Nan-Che Ninga, principle advisor to Chief Mahaska (White Cloud) from the Ioway Native-American Nation. He lived from 1797 until 1862. He was a very important figure among the Ioway people, influencing Chief Mahaska's decisions…
This statue of Chief Mahaska of the Ioway Nation, for which the County of Mahaska was named, was dedicated to the City of Oskaloosa in 1909 at the famous town square. Oskaloosa is the county seat for Mahaska County, so it is very fitting that a…
This is a picture taken of Chief Jim White Cloud Rhodd, the last Chief of the Ioway Native-American Nation. He was the Great Great Great Grandson of Chief Mahaska of the Ioway Nation. Chief Jim White Cloud Rhodd was the son of Chief Dan White…
This is a picture taken of Chief Jim White Cloud Rhodd, the last Chief of the Ioway Native-American Nation. He was the Great Great Great Grandson of Chief Mahaska of the Ioway Nation. Chief Jim White Cloud Rhodd was the son of Chief Dan White…
This is a picture taken of Chief Louis White Cloud from the Ioway Native-American Nation. Louis White Cloud was born in 1868 and inherited the title of Chief of the Ioway Nation. He was the son of James White Cloud, previous Chief of the Ioway…