OPEN TOURS OF THE VINTAGE CLOTHING EXHIBIT ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE JANE YOUNG HOUSE ARE HELD THE 4th SATURDAY APRIL THROUGH DECEMBER FROM 10 AM TO 3 PM.
TOURS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT BY CALLING 515-297-0846 OR 515-310-0397.
THERE IS A $5 ADMISSION FEE PEFR PERSON FOR THE SATURDAY OPEN TOURS AND TOURS MADE BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.
THE FAMILIES OF WILLSON AVENUE
VINTAGE CLOTHING THAT MAY HAVE BEEN WORN BY KENDALL AND JANE YOUNG’S NEIGHBORS ARE ON DISPLAY IN THE WEST ROOM OF THE SECOND FLOOR EXHIBIT.
LEARN ABOUT THE HOME OF JUDGES MIRACLE & KAMRAR AND DOCTORS McCAULIFF & ELLIOT. THE KAMRAR’S BUILT A HOUSE NEXT DOOR FOR THEIR DAUGHTER EVA WHEN SHE MARRIED.
LESLIE AND SARAH McMURRAY BUILT THEIR MANSION WHEN THEY MOVED FROM NEW YORK TO WEBSTER CITY IN 1876 TO RUN A BANK. THEIR SON MURRAY McMURRAY LOVED RAISING CHICKENS. HIS HOBBY GREW INTO THE MURRAY McMURRAY HATCHERY THAT HAS OPERATED MORE THAN 100 YEARS. THEY ALSO HAD A DAUGHTER JESSIE. HER HOME IS THE ONLY FAMILY HOME STILL STANDING.
COLONEL CHARLES MARVEL WAS A RENOWN AUCTIONEER. HE AND HIS WIFE HAD 5 CHILDREN. FOLLOWING HIS DEATH, KENNETH AND DOROTHY MARVEL CONTINUED IN HIS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS AND BUILT A NEW SALES PAVILION. THEIR HOMES WERE ACROSS THE STREET FROM EACH OTHER. JACK AND JANET MARVEL TOOK OVER THE BUSINESS WHEN HIS FATHER DIED.
A VINTAGE “LITTLE BLACK DRESS” DISPLAY IS CURRENTLY BEING CREATED IN TWO OF THE ROOMS.
LOOK FOR A NEW EXHIBIT CELEBRATING KENDALL AND JANE YOUNG’S TRIP TO EUROPE FOR THE PARIS EXPOSITION IN 1867. HIGHLIGHTS FROM OTHER WORLD FAIRS WILL BE INCLUDED.
IN HONOR OF MURRAY MIDWEST FEST ON JUNE 28-29, THE “WILLSON AVENUE NEIGHBORS” EXHIBIT WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO THE McMURRAY FAMILY.
BE SURE TO VISIT THE NEW EXHIBITS DURING OPEN HOURS ON MAY 25 FROM 10 AM TO 3 PM.
A hostess will greet you at the door and guides will share the story of Kendall and Jane Young, their home, and its furnishings.
To set up an appointment to view the exhibit, you can make arrangements for a special group tour of this exhibit by calling Loween (515-297-0846) or JoAnn (515-310-0397). Groups of three or more are requested.
Since its opening in February 2019, hundreds of guests have toured the “Vintage Clothing Exhibit” in temperature-controlled comfort. They have come from towns across Iowa and several states. Let’s add your name to our guest book!
A chair lift is available for guests who may not desire to climb the stairway to the second floor.