Tour the historic Jordan House Museum- Sundays at 1pm

2001 Fuller Road,West Des Moines IA 50265

13 June, 2021

Description

Self guided tours of the historic Jordan House Museum. Tour the historic home of James Jordan, early pioneer and Conductor for the Underground Railroad. About this Event * At this time, all visitors and tour guides will be required to wear masks when in the Jordan House. If you do not have one, one will be provided. If you do not feel comfortable wearing a mask, we ask that you visit the museum when restrictions ease. If you are part of a family group and alone in a room during your tour, you may remove your mask. When a docent or other people not in your group is within 6 ft., you must put your mask back up over your nose and mouth. Purchase of a ticket is confirmation that you have read this and agree to wearing a mask. * Please plan on arriving at the Jordan House by 1:45, to ensure adequate time for your tour. The doors will be closed to incoming visitors, regardless of ticket purchase, a half hour before the tour is scheduled to end. Learn about the Underground Railroad in Iowa, early history and life in West Des Moines during this self-guided tour of the home of James Jordan. You will see rooms decorated in period style and information on the fight for freedom in the journey taken by freedom seekers in the years before the Civil War. Included in your admission are 4 special exhibits: West Des Moines at War: The contributions at home and abroad of Central Iowa's finest citizens, from the Spanish-American War to present day.Profiles in Courage; Iowa Women & the Underground Railroad: Meet four amazing Iowa women who contributed to the fight for freedom.Vandenburg Pharmacy: One of the longest running pharmacies in Central Iowa, the Vandenburg family's business served Valley Junction.Rocks & Fossils of Central Iowa. The mission of the West Des Moines Historical Society is to educate, to preserve, and to promote the heritage and history of West Des Moines. The West Des Moines Historical Society owns and maintains two historic properties in West Des Moines, the Jordan House and Bennett School.The Jordan House, a stately Victorian home of Italianate Gothic design, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. It is one of the oldest structures in Polk Country and the oldest in West Des Moines. Built by one of West Des Moines’ first settlers, James C. Jordan, the house today serves both as a museum for West Des Moines and as the office of West Des Moines Historical Society. The sixteen period rooms serve as a fitting backdrop of displaying the many antique treasures gathered from the rich heritage of West Des Moines. Visitors will also be interested in both the Underground Railroad Exhibit and the many artifacts from the regular railroad which played an important role in the early years of West Des Moines.