Come to Avoca in Pottawattamie County, Iowa and visit all the historical things that the Newtown-Avoca Historical Society has made it their goal to preserve for future generations.   Perhaps your first stop would be at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum at the north end of Main Street.  Heading a couple blocks south will bring you to the East Pottawattamie County Courthouse.  

From Main Street, a drive out to Edgington Memorial Park east on old Highway 83 will find you at the location of the relocated Newtown Country School.  If you take a drive up the hill near the Shell Mini Mart and Casey's Store, you will come across the Historical Society's Memory Garden.  One last stop on your way north out of Avoca on Highway 59 will bring you to Graceland Cemetery where you will find the historic Octagon Prayer Chapel.

Newtown-Avoca Historical Society - 2024

OFFICERS:

     Julie Miller, President

     Sandy Petersen, Vice President

     Mary Pearson, Secretary

     Myrna McGrath, Treasurer

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

     Four Officers Plus the Following:

          Patty Cumper, 2021-2024

          Sandy Petersen 2022-2025

          Barbara Butcher, 2023-2026

          Phil Simonson, 2024-2027

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COMMITTEES:

     Courthouse:  Rhonda Hope, Chairperson; Myrna McGrath, Treasurer; Bill Dea, Sandy Petersen, Phil Simonson, Stephanie Simonson

     Schoolhouse:  Iva Marie Holtz, Chairperson; J Pearson, Julie Miller

     Octagon Building:  Bill Dea, Chairperson; J Pearson, John Butcher

     Memorial Garden:  Arla Pickham, Chairperson; Patti Cumper, Sandy Petersen, Jim Cumper

     Fire Truck:  John Butcher, Chairperson; Kurt Sulley

     Museum Curators:  Barbara Butcher, Chairperson; Mary Pearson, Julie Miller

     Special Events Coordinator:  Sandy Petersen, Arla Pickham

     Maintenance Coordinator:  J Pearson, Bill Dea, John Butcher, Larry Petersen

     Property and Finance of Museum:  Board of Directors

     Finance:  Arla Pickham, 2022-2024; Bill Dea, 2023-2025; J Pearson 2024-2026; Phil Simonson, 2024-2026;  Myrna McGrath, Society/Courthouse Treasurer

     Endowment Trust:  Jim Sulhoff, Bill Dea

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NEWTOWN-AVOCA HISTORICAL SOCIETY meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum at 7:00 p.m.  Visitors are always welcome at the monthly meetings.   

     January 2, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     February 6, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

    March 5, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     April 2, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     May 7, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

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     January 3rd, 2023 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     February 7th,  2023 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     March 7th, 2023 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     April 4th, 2023 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     May 1st, 2023 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     June 6th, 2023 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     July 5th, 2023 - Meeting at 3:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.  (Note change of date to Wednesday afternoon, due to July 4th holiday.

     August 1st, 2023 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

    September 5th, 2023 - Dining out at the Backfield Bar & Grill in Walnut, Iowa.  Gather at 5:00 p.m. with plans to eat at 6:00 p.m.

     October 3rd, 2023 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     November 7, 2023 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

     December 5, 2023 - Pizza Party at 6:00 p.m. Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.

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