Mitchell County
Historical Museum
Museum Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 1:00 - 5:00
Cedar River Complex
Museum entrance in the CRC lobby
Our collection is now searchable online!
The end of an era - our last exhibit at the Cedar River Complex.
Exhibit closed the end of October 2023.
An exhibit paying tribute to the original owners of Spring Park opened at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 16, at the Mitchell County Historical Society Museum at the Cedar River Complex in Osage. “Silk Stockings at Spring Park: A Look at the Tent City in the 1890s” celebrated the early days of the park when it was owned privately by the wealthier families – the “silk stockings” – of Osage. The term was used during the era to describe the elite, or those who were able to purchase more expensive items, such as silk stockings. The exhibit relied heavily on photographs, several of them hanging from the museum ceiling, which featured people and activities at the park. The exhibit also looked ahead at some new additions at the park, located about a mile and a half west of Osage.
Museum
The mission of the Historical Society is to keep alive an active interest in Mitchell County history by collecting, preserving and interpreting artifacts, books, papers, records, and other materials relative to the county’s history. The Historical Society cares for over 10,000 items at its seven different sites, including one of the largest clothing collections in Iowa.
History of MCHS (Click)
The Mitchell County Historical Museum was established in the last remaining building of the Cedar Valley Seminary in 1966. The "Old Central" building, located at North 6th Street and Mechanic Street (Osage, IA) was leased to the Historical Society by the Osage Community Schools. The Osage Community Schools were in discussions of expanding their school on the former Seminary Campus site and Old Central was going to be demolished. Around this same time, the Historical Society lease was about to expire, The Mitchell County Historical Society saw an opportunity to join in a 28E agreement group planning the Cedar River Recreation and Fine Arts Complex. This would be the answer to "Where do we go with the Museum"?
The iconic "Old Central" building was rescued from destruction by a newly formed "Cedar Valley Seminary Foundation". On June 24, 2016, the Cedar Valley Seminary (Old Central) was moved to 200 North 7th Street where it stands with dignity. A full restoration and repurposing of The Cedar Valley Seminary, on this beautiful site, welcomes visitors with many gatherings and events today.
A Grand Opening was held April 24, 2010 for the Cedar River Complex. The Mitchell County Historical Society Museum was secure in its beautiful new home. The museum is located just inside the main entrance to the Cedar River Complex (which houses the Krapek Family Fine Arts Center and auditorium, fitness center, and swimming pool.). Their mission is collecting, preserving artifacts and telling the story of the Mitchell County lifestyle of past generations. This Accessible Museum consists of two floors full of vintage exhibits, archives and a research library. Displays are often changed, using the local treasures from this extensive collection, to keep the experience fresh.
"What you didn't see on your first visit, you may on the next".
Cedar River Complex, 809 Sawyer Drive, Osage, IA
Museum Hours: Wednesday - Saturday - 1 pm to 5 pm