1006 Chestnut Street, Osage, IA

In the early 1960s began an added mission of historical preservation to the Mitchell County Agricultural Society's vision. Recognizing the need to provide assistance in preserving historical buildings, the Agriculture Society decided to purchase a one-room school house in 1961. School reorganizations and consolidations resulted in many of these buildings being sold and removed from the rural landscape. William Ehlke, a director of the rural school district in Union Township, persuaded people in his district to help the Agriculture Society purchase their school, Union No. 1. Bidders restrained their bids and the one-room school house was purchased for $35 by the Agriculture Society.