The Sioux County Historical Society was incorporated on July 6, 1969 though the idea and the beginning collection existed for almost a decade before that. Through the vision and hard work of many Orange City residents the museum was first opened in a building in downtown Orange City before moving to a house which stood next to the Iowa State Bank in Orange City. The Historical Society (SCHS) then purchased the former Oldsmobile dealership building and has been at its present location since 1982. The property has 7 buildings which include the main display building seen in our profile picture and also the "West Annex" which was formerly a barbershop and now houses the chair and other items of that barber shop. There is also a one room school house which was built in 1897 and moved to the museum grounds in the mid 70's and again moved to its present location. We have relocated a storage building, given to the SCHS in 2015, which will become "The Tool Shed" to display many of our agricultural and hand tools. On the ground for over 10 years is a replica of the early homesteading "Tarpaper Shack" which houses items that would have been used in the late 1800's by the early settlers as they eked out a living on the prairie. What museum would be complete without a "prairie library" the outhouse which sets next to the school house. The seventh building is a structure that was part of the original lumber yard business which was on this site. It now houses some storage and displays of farming tools and early 1900's domestic life. The museum is located at 120 3rd Street S.W. in Orange City, Iowa directly south, across the street from the Sioux County court house which is also a building of great architecture and history being built in 1903 and listed on the registry of historic buildings. We hope you have the opportunity to come and visit us at the museum and take the time to explore Orange City especially in May of each year when the Tulip Festival is drawing 1000's of people from all around the United States and the world. You will be surprised and pleased at the friendly Dutch welcome. Discover Our Heritage.
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Sioux County, IA
Visit our county page and you will find information about our town and county's points of interest, festivals/events and faith community. You also will find stories about the contributions made by farmers/ranchers located throughout our county and of course you will learn about the community organizations that have built and continue to build strong communities (chambers, community groups, and departments, etc) and much more when you visit the Sioux County, IA page.