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 - 2021
OFFICERS:
Sandy Petersen, President
Mike Ohm, Vice President
Mary Pearson, Secretary
Myrna McGrath, Treasurer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Four Officers Plus the Following:
Arla Pickham, 2018-2021
Julie Miller, 2019-2022
Phil Simonson, 2020-2023
Patty Cumper, 2021-2024
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, Jaime Tuttle, Katie Clark
Octagon Building: Bill Dea, Chairperson; Jaime Tuttle, Debby King, Yvonne Engesser, J Pearson
Memorial Garden: Arla Pickham, Chairperson; Jaime Tuttle, Patti Cumper, Sandy Petersen
Fire Truck: John Butcher, Chairperson; Kurt Sulley, Debby King, Jaie P Radd
Museum Curators: Barbara Butcher, Chairperson; Mary Pearson, Julie Miller, Renee Sowers
Special Events Coordinator: Andrea Radd, Arla Pickham, Debby King, Sandy Petersen
Maintenance Coordinator: J Pearson, Jaie P Radd, Bill Dea, John Engesser
Property and Finance of Museum: Board of Directors
Finance: Arla Pickham, 2019-2021; Bill Dea, 2020-2022; Mike Ohm, 2020-2022; Josie Pierce, 2021-2023; Myrna McGrath, Society/Courthouse Treasurer
Endowment Trust: Jim Sulhoff, Bill Dea
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 5th, 2021 - Meeting CANCELED Due to Coronavirus Concerns.
February 2nd, 2021 - Meeting CANCELED Due to Coronavirus Concerns.
March 2nd, 2021 - Meeting CANCELED Due to Coronavirus Concerns.
April 6th, 2021 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum. Roll Call: Tell something you accomplished during the pandemic, or how you survived the pandemic.
May 4th, 2021 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
June 1st, 2021 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
July 6th, 2021 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
August 3rd, 2021 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
September 7th, 2021 - Dining out at 6:00 p.m. at Minden Bowl.
October 5th, 2021 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
November 2nd, 2021 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
December 7th, 2021 - Potluck Christmas Meal at 6:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum. Bring a dish of your choice to share.