Monona Historical Society
Monona Historical Museum & Willa Helwig History Center

302 S. Egbert Street -- P. O. Box 434
Monona, IA 52159-0434
Phone:       (563) 539-8083
Website:    MononaMuseum.com
Facebook: facebook.com/mononahistoricalmuseum
Email us:    [email protected]

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Above is the Monona Historical Museum & Willa Helwig Historical Center.  At right, the turn-of-the-century Victorian home was donated to the historical society by long-time Monona resident Elizabeth Smith to use as a museum for the Monona-area community.  The building at the left was constructed using a generous donation left by long-time Monona resident Willa Helwig to expand the museum.

The museum houses the Guiness Book of Records' largest known display of hand-carved chains.  Visit us to see for yourself this world-record exhibit.  For now, enjoy the slideshow below.

Downtown Monona looking northwest from the intersection of Iowa St. and Main St.

Discover Monona's historic treasures at Monona Historical Museum & Willa Helwig History Center.  An excellent research center, the museum  houses the world's largest collection of hand-carved wooden chains, as well as an extensive collectiono f art work by local artists.  Three centuries of small farm equipment, kitchenware, war relics, and furniture and clothing of old are on display.

Explore  ~  Research  ~  Discover
Learn  ~  Share  ~  Connect

Research your family's history & genealogy at Monona Historical Museum's "Willa Helwig History Center".

You'll find all Monona newspapers, past and present, digitized and online at:  monona.advantage-preservation.com/

Do you have historical artifacts to donate?  Contact Monona Museum to see if it's a good fit.  The donors below donated these artifacts they personally found inside 19th century Italianate buildings in downtown Monona.

Monona Historical Museum's website gives you a glimpse into what life in our Monona-area community was like during the 19th and 20th centuries, and it also outlines many modern exhibits from today's 21st century.

You'll find our historical museum's website organized into the following categories, with interesting sub-categories to explore.  Please contact us to answer your questions, tell you  more about certain exhibits, do some historical research, or take a guided tour:
* HOME
* EXHIBITS
* RESEARCH
* PERSONALITIES
* ARTISTS & GROUPS
* CONTACT US

Monona, Iowa's 1840 pioneer founder Phineas Page "P. P." Olmsted.  Along with his brother David Olmsted, P. P. came west in America across the Mississippi River at McGregor, Iowa and traversed the rolling hills and valleys along the military ridge road east to the beautiful spot today occupied by the city of Monona.

The 1968 museum charter members & supporters.

​In 2018, they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of Monona Museum.  Reuniting for the celebration below are:  1st row (l to r) Connie Halvorson and Florence Bruns; and, 2nd row Donna Thompson and Carol Marting. 

These ladies were on the charter board as directors and/or officers, and they assisted in founding the historical society's museum in 1968.

Gravesite of P. P. Olmsted and his family at Monona City Cemetery (east end of town, south of Iowa St.)

Your Monona Museum & Research Center ADMISSION IS FREE!  But we will always appreciate your kind donations that will help us with upkeep and daily operations.

Please visit us at Monona Historical Museum & Willa Helwig History Center at 302 S. Egbert St. in Monona, IA to witness Monona-area history, observe woodworkers honing their craft, or research your family's history. 

​Call us at (563) 539-8083 to check our hours or make an appointment for a tour.