Our Museums
We love tour groups!
The Boone County Historical Society enjoys hosting group tours of all sorts. From scout troops to tour buses and antique car clubs, we can accommodate a variety of groups.
Currently, all of our museums are closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When we reopen, tours should be arranged well in advance. Contact us at info@bchsiowa.org or call 515-432-1907 and leave a message. Since the Center is not staffed regularly, emailed questions get answered more quickly.
Come see where one of America’s beloved First Ladies was born at the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace. The home was closed while needed renovations were made but now operates Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm
Groups
Boone History Museums loves having group tours of all sorts enjoy our museums. From boy scout troops to tour buses and antique car clubs, we can accommodate a variety of groups. Please contact us before your visit so that we may adequately plan for your visit and arrange staff.
Holidays and Closings
The BCHS is closed on all major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If you have questions regarding our holiday schedule please contact us.
Parking
Free parking is available at each of our locations.
Historical Center: Street parking on both Story and 6th Streets.
Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace: Street parking on Carroll Street
Kate Shelley Depot & Hickory Grove: Gravel parking lots are located at each of these sites.
Mobility
The Historical Center is handicap accessible from our 6th Street entrance with handicap accessible restrooms. As this is not the main entrance into the building it is sometimes locked for security reasons. If you would like to utilize this entrance, please have a fellow visitor alert us through the main door, or call ahead and we will be happy to open the facilities for your ease of access. Our other three museum sites are unfortunately not wheelchair accessible at this time. Each of the sites have three or more stairs to enter. However, once inside, only the Mamie Eisenhower Birthplace has additional stairwells.
Cameras/Cellphones
The use of cameras and smartphone cameras are permitted within our museums at this time. However, we ask that the user be careful to turn off their flash as it can cause damage to the artifacts. However, the museum does not permit talking on cell phones in our exhibitions when other visitors are present. Thank you for being considerate of others’ experiences at our museums.
Food/Drink/Smoking
No food, beverages, or smoking are permitted within our museum exhibitions or collections areas.