Altoona Area Historical Society

Altoona Area Historical Society Recognized in 2003, the Altoona Area Historical Society preserves local history, promotes education, and works to create a museum for the community.

📚🎉 A big thank you to Sylvan Learning for joining us in Altoona’s 2026 4th of July Parade as we celebrate America’s 250t...
06/02/2026

📚🎉 A big thank you to Sylvan Learning for joining us in Altoona’s 2026 4th of July Parade as we celebrate America’s 250th Birthday! 🇺🇸

Sylvan Learning has helped countless students build confidence, strengthen academic skills, and achieve success in the classroom and beyond. Their commitment to education and our community makes them a wonderful addition to this year’s parade.

Be sure to give them a wave as they pass by on July 4th! 👋

📅 July 4, 2026
🕙 Parade Starts at 10:00 AM
📍 Downtown Altoona

Thank you, Sylvan Learning, for supporting our community and helping students reach their full potential!

🎉 Ready to march into history? The City of Altoona and the Altoona Area Historical Society invite YOU to be part of the ...
06/01/2026

🎉 Ready to march into history? The City of Altoona and the Altoona Area Historical Society invite YOU to be part of the most exciting Fourth of July Parade in our community's memory because this year, America turns 250!

Whether you're a business, organization, school group, or just a crew of proud Altoonans we want YOU in this parade.

Here's how easy it is:
✅ Complete your participation packet
✅ Entry fee is just $25 (nonprofits participate FREE!)
✅ Need us to drop off or pick up your packet? No problem-we'll come to you!

⏰ Spots are limited, so please sign up in advance! We want to make sure we have a place saved just for you. The sooner, the better so we can plan and make this the best parade Altoona has ever seen.

📩[email protected] or [email protected]

This community LOVES a parade, and this one is for the history books. Don't just watch it BE in it!

http://altoonahistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-4th-of-July-Parade-Information-Packet.pdf

🎆 JOIN US FOR ALTOONA'S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION! 🎆Hosted by the City of Altoona & the Altoona Historical SocietyAmerica ...
05/29/2026

🎆 JOIN US FOR ALTOONA'S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION! 🎆
Hosted by the City of Altoona & the Altoona Historical Society

America turns 250 — and Altoona is celebrating BIG! Mark your calendars for a full morning of patriotic fun, community spirit, and hometown pride.

🥁 THE PARADE
Saturday, July 4th | 10:00 AM | Rain or Shine
Starting at Venbury Drive and ending at Haines Park
Entry Fee: $25 | FREE for non-profits!

🎉 AFTER THE PARADE — HAINES PARK
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
✅ FREE Ice Cream Social
✅ FREE Inflatables
✅ Foam Party
✅ Open Splash Pad
✅ Food Truck & Local Vendors

Gather your family, friends, and neighbors for a morning that honors our history, celebrates our freedom, and brings our community together. Let's make this Independence Day one to remember!

📍 Parade route: Venbury Drive → Haines Park
🕙 Parade: 10:00 AM | Park festivities: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM

🌿 Don’t miss TONIGHT’S presentation at the Altoona Area Historical Society located at 104 2nd St SE in Olde Town Altoona...
05/26/2026

🌿 Don’t miss TONIGHT’S presentation at the Altoona Area Historical Society located at 104 2nd St SE in Olde Town Altoona! Admission is FREE, so bring your friends and family and enjoy an inspiring evening supporting our community and all the amazing things they are doing. ✨

Guests will enjoy a special presentation and slideshow from a master gardener highlighting the Polk County Master Gardeners Altoona Enabling Garden. 🌸🪴

Learn how this incredible garden is designed to make gardening accessible and enjoyable for everyone through paved paths, raised beds, vertical gardens, and other inclusive features that allow people of all abilities to experience the beauty and joy of nature. ♿🌼

🇺🇸 On this Memorial Day, We Remember.From the Iowa farms and neighborhoods that sent sons and daughters off to war, to t...
05/25/2026

🇺🇸 On this Memorial Day, We Remember.

From the Iowa farms and neighborhoods that sent sons and daughters off to war, to the Gold Star families who waited and grieved at home — the story of Altoona is inseparable from the story of American sacrifice. The men and women of this community who gave their lives in service deserve more than a moment of silence. They deserve to be remembered by name.

The Altoona Iowa Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the stories of those who served from our community their letters, photographs, service records, and the quiet courage behind them. Iowa has always answered the call, and Altoona is no exception.

This Memorial Day, we invite you to honor a local veteran. Share their name and story in the comments below. And if you have photos, documents, or family memories connected to a veteran from our area, we'd love to hear from you these pieces of history belong to all of us.

To all who gave everything Thank You!

🌿🌸 Don’t miss this month’s presentation at the Altoona Area Historical Society, located at 104 2nd St SE in Olde Town Al...
05/20/2026

🌿🌸 Don’t miss this month’s presentation at the Altoona Area Historical Society, located at 104 2nd St SE in Olde Town Altoona!

🪴♿✨Come learn about Altoona’s Enabling Garden through a special master gardener presentation and slideshow, and discover how gardening can be made accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

📣Calling all vendors! We're gearing up for our annual 4th of July Celebration at Haines Park and we want YOU to be part ...
05/19/2026

📣Calling all vendors! We're gearing up for our annual 4th of July Celebration at Haines Park and we want YOU to be part of it!

📅 July 4th, 2026 · 11 AM – 1 PM
This year is extra special as we celebrate America's 250th Birthday 🎂 Share your products, crafts, or festive treats with our community and help make this milestone celebration one to remember!

🎉 We've already got something for everyone — join our FREE activities!
🍦 FREE Ice Cream Social
🎈 FREE Inflatables
🫧 Foam Party
💦 Open Splash Pad
🍔 Food Trucks & Local Vendors (items available for purchase)
Vendor spots are limited — don't miss your chance to be part of a beloved community tradition.

Contact us today to reserve your space!
📧 [email protected]

⚠️ IMPORTANT: [email protected] is the ONLY official email for 4th of July vendor inquiries. Any other posts or links about vendor applications are NOT from our team. Please use caution and reach out to us directly with any questions.

🎇 Be part of history America's 250th & your community's favorite celebration! 🎇

🇺🇸 A huge THANK YOU to Dave & Joanne Tinker for their generous flag donation for the Altoona 4th of July Parade celebrat...
05/18/2026

🇺🇸 A huge THANK YOU to Dave & Joanne Tinker for their generous flag donation for the Altoona 4th of July Parade celebration! 🇺🇸

Community support like this helps make our hometown events extra special as we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday in 2026. ❤️🤍💙

We truly appreciate your support, community spirit, and dedication to helping make Altoona shine!

Happy Birthday to the one and only Phyllis Murphy! 🎉💚Phyllis is truly the backbone, heart, and soul to so many. Whether ...
05/18/2026

Happy Birthday to the one and only Phyllis Murphy! 🎉💚

Phyllis is truly the backbone, heart, and soul to so many. Whether she’s lending a helping hand, sharing wisdom, showing kindness, or cruising through life on her John Deere with a smile, she leaves an impact everywhere she goes.

Your strength, work ethic, humor, and caring spirit inspire more people than you probably realize. The world needs more Phyllis Murphys in it. 💛

Wishing you a birthday filled with love, laughter, family, and all the happiness you deserve today

🌹 Happy Mother's Day from the Altoona Area Historical Society! 🌹To every Mom in our community, THANK YOU for all you do....
05/10/2026

🌹 Happy Mother's Day from the Altoona Area Historical Society! 🌹

To every Mom in our community, THANK YOU for all you do. Mothers have always been at the heart of history, preserving stories, nurturing families, and shaping the world around them.

Did you know? Mother's Day became a national holiday in 1914, but its roots go back to the 1850s right here in the heart of America when women organized their communities, cared for their neighbors, and fought for peace. Moms have always been making history.

💐Wishing all the moms, grandmothers, and mother figures in the Altoona area a wonderful and well-deserved day. You are part of our story.

Address

104 2nd Street SE
Altoona, IA
50009

Opening Hours

10am - 2pm

Telephone

(515) 957-1352

Website

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