2025 Newell Historical Society Newsletter

 

Changing Exhibits Keeps the Mansion Experience Fresh

Several types of cameras, photography equipment and studio portraits comprised a feature exhibit last year.  Other activities included private tours, a class reunion, and a piano recital. This year’s new exhibits include a display of antique/vintage kitchen utensils downstairs and a sewing room upstairs. A vintage quilt display is planned.  Already in May 2025, visitors to the mansion have included the Newell-Fonda first graders, the Little Sioux Spinners & Weavers, and a private tour group.  

Saturday, August 2 1-4 p.m. Newell Watermelon Days Open House: Enjoy air-conditioned rooms, then pie & ice cream.  4:30 p.m.: 7th Annual Cemetery Walk:  Presenters introduce you to Newellites  from the past.

September 16-17   Ag-citing (BV county 4th graders)  September 18   Farm Safety (BV 3rd graders)

Sunday, October 12  1:30  Tyler Sullivan “Iowa Scenic Views by Foot” travel program

Saturday & Sunday, December 6th & 7th   1-4 p.m. each day  Christmas Open House with live music & refreshments

December 15 Private Christmas event.  (Contact a board member to book an event for your group in the holiday-decorated mansion! Luncheons, teas, and tour dates are available in December.) 

Travel Iowa with Tyler Sullivan (Without Leaving Newell!)

In March of 2025, Tyler Sullivan of Iowa Scenic Views By Foot toured the mansion and took many wonderful pictures.  He gave us permission to share some of them here. You can find all of Tyler’s picture’s on his post on our Facebook page: The Newell Historical Society.  On Sunday, October 12, at 1:30, Tyler will share highlights of his Iowa travels at the Mansion. Light refreshments will be served. Watch for details on Facebook.

                        

                                      

                           

Horse-Drawn Vehicles Re-Homed

NHS has a small collection of horse-drawn vehicles, including a sleigh, a buggy, and a farm wagon.  Two years ago the decision was made to put them in a storage unit in town, but that made it inconvenient to access them for use/display.  ISU graciously agreed to allow NHS to build a small, enclosed room inside the machine shed.

Paul Monson, Rick Wadle, & Kolesa Kier did the building, while Tom Olsen and grandsons Jack, Titus, & Sawyer transported the vehicles from storage in town to their new home back on the Mansion grounds.

    

The NHS has reprinted the Newell Heritage cookbook originally put out by the Junior Federated club in 1974. A limited number are still available for $20 each plus shipping. 

You can get yours at the Open House August 2nd & the Golf Tournament August 23rd, as well as the Christmas Open Houses on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th.

Sign up for the 4th Annual George Allee Memorial Golf Tournament!

  Come join the fun on Saturday, August 23th 

4 person best shot 

9 AM shotgun start

$140 / team (this includes prizes and meals)

Register at the Newell Golf Course! (712) 272-4424

                                                                

                                                                                         

 

                     Sponsor a hole at the annual George Allee  Memorial Golf Tournament

$100 for an 18 X 24 inch banner to be displayed on the course

$500 for 24 X 24 banner to be displayed on the course.

Use this to advertise your business/cause  OR in memory of your loved one!

NHS membership is included

Will You Come Alongside?

The Newell Historical Society is a non-profit organization which relies on donations, memberships, and fundraising to continue the restoration of the  1891 Allee Mansion and the preservation of the community’s history. Contributions are tax deductible; NHS is incorporated as a 501(c)(3).

Volunteer Opportunities

The NHS depends upon volunteers for tour guides, housecleaning, serving refreshments, garden and landscaping, decorating for events, etc.  Please call Suana at712-662-8100 for more information.

Your help is appreciated very much!

———————————-Complete, cut here & return————————————–

I am interested in (feel free to check more than one!): 

    Becoming a member/renewing my membership. 

My check is enclosed for $______   Individual $10; Business $50; Sustaining $100

    Making a cash gift. Check enclosed for $_____

    Making a memorial gift. Contact NHS for details.

    Donating or loaning item(s) to the Historical Society

    Becoming a volunteer

    Information on renting the Mansion for an event

    Information on becoming a hole-sponsor for the golf tournament

    A Newell Heritage Cookbook $20.  Add $6 shipping

Name________________________________

Address_______________________________

City_______________State_____Zip Code_________

Phone #___________Email________________

Complete and mail with check to :

Newell Historical Society

PO Box 5 

Newell IA 50568

Your continued support is very important to the preservation of our community’s history and the Allee Mansion in which it is housed. Thank you for your donation. Volunteer today and become involved in your community!

 

About the Newell Historical Society

The NHS is a non-profit organization that relies on donations, memberships and fund raising to continue the restoration of the Allee Mansion and the preservation of the history of the surrounding community. Donations can be mailed to Newell Historical Society, Box 5, Newell, IA 50568. All donations are tax deductible. The tax identification number is 42-1326004.

The “Newell School Room” exhibit highlighting memorabilia from the late 1800’s to present day activities. If you are an alumnus, this is where you can help, especially if you graduated anywhere from 1970 on up to 2025.  We need pictures, articles, music and play programs, and sports team news. Items from grandparents to kindergarteners are appreciated.

Saturday, August 2, 2025 Open House

 August 1-3, 2025 will be the annual Newell Pride Days celebration with lots of activities planned for the whole family. The Mansion will be open on Saturday, the 2nd with free tours, live music and many hands-on displays both inside and outside the Mansion. Back by popular demand will be the “Cemetery Walk” where “resurrected” community members of years gone by tell their stories and relive the history of Newell.  Don’t miss it! This seventh annual walk will feature an all new group of characters sharing interesting tidbits for your information and entertainment.

Tour the Allee Mansion

Enjoy touring the 1891 Queen Anne Victorian Mansion with stained glass windows,  towering round turret and open staircase leading to the furnished upstairs rooms. With the pump organ playing and the Victrola turned on, the early 1900’s will come alive again. Check out the Keith Carter Arabic Museum with artifacts from countries around the world. The Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places and has received several awards for outstanding preservation of an historic home. It is located on the Iowa State University Demonstration Farm just one mile south of Newell.

2025 Newell Historical Society Board Members

• Kolesa Kier
• Marilyn Monson
• Paul Monson
• Marty Olsen
• Tom Olsen
• Lyle Rossiter
• Steve Smith
• Suana Wessendorf