Newtown-Avoca Historical Society & Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum
Come to Avoca in Pottawattamie County, Iowa and visit all the historical things that the Newtown-Avoca Historical Society has made it their goal to preserve for future generations. Perhaps your first stop would be at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum at the north end of Main Street. Heading a couple blocks south will bring you to the East Pottawattamie County Courthouse.
From Main Street, a drive out to Edgington Memorial Park east on old Highway 83 will find you at the location of the relocated Newtown Country School. If you take a drive up the hill near the Shell Mini Mart and Casey's Store, you will come across the Historical Society's Memory Garden. One last stop on your way north out of Avoca on Highway 59 will bring you to Graceland Cemetery where you will find the historic Octagon Prayer Chapel.
Newtown-Avoca Historical Society - 2025
OFFICERS:
Julie Miller, President
Sandy Petersen, Vice President
Mary Pearson, Secretary
Myrna McGrath, Treasurer
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Four Officers Plus the Following:
Sandy Petersen 2022-2025
Barbara Butcher, 2023-2026
Renee Sowers, 2024-2027
Deanna Krummel, 2025-2028
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COMMITTEES:
Courthouse: Rhonda Hope, Chairperson; Myrna McGrath, Treasurer; Bill Dea, Sandy Petersen
Schoolhouse: Iva Marie Holtz, Chairperson; J Pearson, Julie Miller, Renee Sowers
Octagon Building: Bill Dea, Chairperson; J Pearson, John Butcher
Memorial Garden: Arla Pickham, Chairperson; Patti Cumper, Sandy Petersen, Jim Cumper
Fire Truck: John Butcher, Chairperson; Kurt Sulley
Museum Curators: Barbara Butcher, Chairperson; Mary Pearson, Julie Miller
Special Events Coordinator: Sandy Petersen, Arla Pickham
Maintenance Coordinator: J Pearson, Bill Dea, John Butcher, Larry Petersen
Property and Finance of Museum: Board of Directors
Finance: Bill Dea, 2023-2025; J Pearson 2024-2026; Arla Pickham 2025-2027; Larry Petersen 2025-2028; Myrna McGrath, Society/Courthouse Treasurer
Endowment Trust: Jim Sulhoff, Bill Dea
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NEWTOWN-AVOCA HISTORICAL SOCIETY meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum at 7:00 p.m. Visitors are always welcome at the monthly meetings.
January 7, 2025 - Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
February 4, 2025 - Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
March 11, 2025 - Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum. (Rescheduled due to snowstorm.)
April 1, 2025 - Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
May 6, 2025 - Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
GRAND OPENING: Sunday, June 1, 2025, with special program at 1:30 p.m. (See Events Page for Details.)
June 3, 2025 - Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum. (Be thinking for the Cemetery Walk at the July meeting.)
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January 2, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
February 6, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
March 5, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
April 2, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
May 7, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
June 4, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
July 2, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
August 6, 2024 - Meeting Cancelled.
September 3, 2024 - Dining out at Sue's Kitchen at The Embers in Avoca, Iowa. Meet at 6:00 p.m.
October 1, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
November 5, 2024 - Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum. (Remember to VOTE before meeting.)
December 3, 2024 - Pizza Party at 6:00 p.m. Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum.
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