Iowa Historic Sites

• Amana Colonies

622 46th Ave. Amana, IA 52203 (319) 622-7622

<amanacolonies.com>: The Inspirationists, a German religious society, founded the first of these seven quaint villages in 1855. Put the heritage museum, original blacksmith shop and 1858 general store on your itinerary.

• Effigy Mounds National Monument

151 Highway 76 Harpers Ferry, IA 52146

(563) 873-3491

<nps.gov/efmo>: To honor the dead, Eastern Woodland Indians created effigy mounds — earthen mounds in the forms of animals such as birds and bears — starting about 500 BC. View the mounds from this national park’s 14 miles of hiking trails.

• Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

no Parkside Drive West Branch, IA 52538 (319)643-2594

<nps.gov/heho>: The son of a blacksmith, Herbert Hoover was elected the 31st US president in 1928. Sites here include Hoover’s birthplace and grave site, and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.

• Iowa Hall of Pride

330 Park St. Des Moines, IA50309 (515) 280-8969

<iowahallofpride.com>: Opened in 2005, this facility offers 26 interactive exhibits about Iowa student athletes, sports legends, movie stars, scientists and others. The Hall of Heroes highlights notable lowans including painter Grant Wood, suffragette Carrie Chapman Catt, musician Glenn Miller and crooner Andy Williams.

• Living History Farms

2600111th St. Urbandale, IA 50322 (515) 278-5286

<www.lhf.org>: Experience your farming ancestors’ lives on a 1700 loway Indian farm, 1850 pioneer farm and 1900 horse-powered farm. When you’re through helping do chores, head to the re-created 1875 town Walnut Hill.

• Old Capitol Museum

24 Old Capitol The University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 52242 (319) 335-0548

<www.uiowa.edu/~oldcap>: This museum in Iowa’s third territorial and first state capitol reopened in May 2006 after recovering from a 2001 cupola fire. Tour former government offices, the library and Supreme Court chamber.

• Salisbury House

4025 Tonawanda Drive Des Moines, IA50312 (515) 274-1777

<www.salisburyhouse.org>: Cosmetics magnates Carl and Edith Weeks modeled this 42-room 1928 manor after the King’s home in Salisbury, England.

Visitor Information

• Iowa Department of Economic Development

200 E. Grand Ave. Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 242-4700 <www.traveliowa.com>

Don’t miss your ancestors’ states!

From the December 2006 issue of Family Tree Magazine.