Events and Programs
We will update this information as we plan our 2025 calendar.
More events may be added in the future.
Local History of Bonnie & Clyde:
From Shootout to Bank Robbery
Saturday - May 4, 2024
1:30PM, Guthrie County Historical Village and Museum
Join us for Part I and Part II of the Local History of Bonnie & Clyde. This fantastic program is by the inimitable Rod Stanley, from the Dexter Historical Society Museum and the Guthrie County Historical Village Foundation. Rod will provide an incredible play-by-play account of Bonnie & Clyde's shootout near Dexter and the bank robbery in Stuart. This is a popular presentation so please arrive early to ensure you get a seat. FREE to the public.
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Linden Merchants Baseball Team:
How They Put Linden on the Map
Saturday - May 18, 2024
1:30PM, Guthrie County Historical Village and Museum
Join us for an entertaining program about the Linden Merchants baseball team hosted by Rod Stanley, from the Dexter Historical Society Museum and the Guthrie County Historical Village Foundation. Rod will provide details about the semi-pro team that started in 1946, right after WWII, and how it helped Linden to be the "Center of Baseball in Central Iowa." FREE to the public.
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Underground Railroad in Guthrie County: A Guided Tour
Saturday - June 15, 2024
9:00AM, starts at the Guthrie County Historical Village
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Join Rod Stanley, from the Dexter Historical Society Museum and Guthrie County Historical Village Foundation, and Kristine Jorgensen, GCHV Curator, for a guided historical tour through the back roads of Guthrie County to learn about the history and route of the Underground Railroad through Guthrie County.
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This event will start at the Historical Village near the Implement Building. Directions and maps will be distributed. Discussion will include John Brown and his trip through Iowa in 1859, which included a stop at the Porter Hotel in Dalmanutha.
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Participants will need to pre-register for this event, bring a picnic lunch, and will need to drive their own vehicles. If you do not have a vehicle but would like to attend, we will try to match you up with a driver.
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Program will start at the Historical Village with a brief presentation.
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Cleaning and Restoring Headstones:
A Hands-on Program
Saturday - September 7, 2024
9:00AM, West Cemetery - Panora, Iowa
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This program is designed to educate and assist in the networking of people interested in protecting, restoring, and preserving our historic cemeteries. Attendees will learn how to clean and repair broken tombstones, headstones, and monuments.
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Please wear cool, comfortable work clothing (this is a hands-on program so you will be cleaning and scrubbing headstones) and bring a hat for shade and some water to stay hydrated. Thank you!
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Greenwood Cemetery and Prairie Walk:
A Guided Tour
Saturday - July 13, 2024
9AM at Greenwood Cemetery - Panora
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Join Rod Stanley, from the Dexter Historical Society Museum and Guthrie County Historical Village Foundation, and Kristine Jorgensen, GCHV Curator, for a guided historical tour through the historic Greenwood Cemetery and discover the stories behind some of Panora's past residents.
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A tour of the accompanying original prairie by Director Brad Haltermann, from Guthrie County Conservation, will point out the wonders and beauty of this diverse ecosystem that consists of original ground that has never seen the plow. Greenwood Prairie is one of only 3 original prairies in our county.
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Please wear cool, comfortable clothing (long pants and tennis shoes are highly recommended) and bring a hat for shade and some water to stay hydrated. Thank you!
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Saving Our Country School:
A Fundraiser for Baker #2 School
Saturday - August 24, 2024
5PM to 7PM at Guthrie County Historical Village - Panora
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Join the Guthrie County Historical Village Foundation for an evening of education, food, fun, and fundraising for Baker #2 School located at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds in Guthrie Center.
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Baker #2 school is the last historical building left in the flood plains of the fairgrounds and efforts are underway to secure funding to cover the $14,000 needed to move the schoolhouse to the west side of the grounds. Once in its new location, the interior will be restored so that this wonderful little schoolhouse will be around for future generations who visit the fair.
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Evening events will include a "History of Guthrie County Country Schools" presented by Rod Stanley - GCHV Foundation Board Member, a tour of our Cass #7 School, a view of rare country-school items from the GCHV collections, an ice cream social, hot dogs and drinks, and entertainment by a guitar and fiddle duo, Vintage Voices, at 6pm. All proceeds will go to Baker #2.
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Tour the 1853 Newton Stage Coach Route and Its Ghost Towns
In 1853, Eder B. Newton was employed to lay out a stage road across Guthrie County. The route was very similar to the trail used by previous westward travelers, like the forty-niners, and hits several of Guthrie County's ghost towns along the way.
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In 2008, William Frels, a member of Boy Scout Troop 127, researched the route, had new signs created with funding from local businesses, and installed the 19 signs along the 29.4-mile route for his Eagle Scout Project.
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Take a guided tour with Rod Stanley, member of the Guthrie County Historical Village Foundation, and stop at various locations along the route for interesting stories and historical facts.
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Participants will need to pre-register for this event, bring a picnic lunch, and will need to drive their own vehicles. If you do not have a vehicle but would like to attend, we will try to match you up with a driver.
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Program will begin at the Historical Village with a brief presentation prior to heading out on the tour.
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Presented October 1, 2022.
This program may be presented in the future.
The Haunted Village:
A Children's Halloween Activity
Sunday - October 12, 2025
5PM to 7PM at Guthrie County Historical Village - Panora
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The Haunted Village is a family-oriented Halloween activity that has been a favorite for 20 years. Activities include games and fortunes, tattoos and stickers, treats, storytelling, crafts, the haunted museum, hay ride, the old Panora Jail, and a movie, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," in the church - with free popcorn!
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The Haunted Village is for children 5th grade and younger.
All Children must be accompanied by an adult and must stay with their adult at all times.
Costumes, even for adults, are encouraged.
Bring a bag for all of the goodies.
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Admission is FREE.
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