Accomplishments to date, goals for the remainder of 2026 and a review of last year’s achievements dominated the Historical Society of Marshall County’s (HSMC) annual meeting Saturday afternoon.

It was held at the Mowry Irvine Mansion (MIM) in the 500-block of West Main Street in Marshalltown.

HSMC president Michelle Roseburrough said it was fitting the meeting was being held at MIM since it had been approved for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in February.

“We are so grateful for Mary Pfanz’s work on this project,” said Roseburrough. “Mary started the effort in 2022. She worked in collaboration with Paula Mohr of Bentonsport Preservation in Keosauqua. The society contracted with Mohr for professional services based on her impressive resume and past achievements in having applications for properties statewide approved for listing.”

MIM is one of 18 properties listed on the NRHP throughout the county. They range from bridges to historic homes to museums with several in State Center – including three blocks in its downtown.

Roseburrough also welcomed new board member Lisa Naig of Marshalltown. Naig has returned to the HSMC board after a several year absence.

She previously served on the board of directors with Marshalltown Community Theater.

Roseburrough was also acknowledged for her efforts in working with the State Historical Society of Iowa to ensure the Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop in Haverhill is open daily for tours conducted by docents Memorial Day through Labor Day. Also cited was Julie Jontz Lang of Marshalltown for her nearly two decades-long efforts to host one-room school re-enactments at Taylor School No. 4 in Marshalltown.

Lang and volunteers are beginning their 19th year of work where Marshalltown-area school and home-schooled children dress in clothes from the early 1900s – follow a lesson plan from that era and do chores.

The original school was destroyed in a fire but was rebuilt by area residents. It was moved from its setting three miles north of Marshalltown a number of years ago to the 10 block of North Second Avenue across the street from the Tallcorn Towers Apartments.

Roseburrough also said HSMC is aggressive in collaborating with other local organizations such as the Arts + Culture Alliance (ACA) and the Marshalltown Central Business District (MCBD).

Specifically, HSMC will meet with Amber Danielson, executive director of the ACA, and Deirdre Gruendler, both of Marshalltown, to discuss collaborative efforts and enhance fundraising.

Roseburrough said the organization would be carefully evaluating grant opportunities and will follow-though in hopes of funding to secure the organizations future.

The HSMC was established in 1908 by a group of civic-minded women according to archives. It is a IRS-certified 501-(c)3 not-for-profit organization managed by a volunteer board of directors.

Operations are funded by memberships, grants and donations. Currently, a seven-member board of directors determines policy.

The directors reside in Le Grand, Green Mountain, Marshalltown and State Center. They meet monthly except December.

Dorie Tammen of Marshalltown is the organization’s only paid employee and assists the board with management of the HSMC headquarters at MIM. It is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and by appointment. For more information, contact HSMC at 641-752-6664 or via email at info@hsmcia.org or via the organization’s Facebook page.