Last updated: 2/18/2021
RED OAK, Iowa
Street Address
305 SOUTH SECOND STREETRED OAK, IA 51566
Mailing Address
305 S 2ND STRED OAK, IA 51566
phone: 712-623-6048
e-mail: museum@depothill.net
web: www.depothill.net

Hours

Usual Hours
Monday - Friday
10 AM - 12 PM

Admissions

Free. Donations Accepted.

Staff

Steve Adams
phone: 712-623-6048
Description
Architecture of the Depot

The architecture of the Depot is the Richardson Romanesque Style which influenced the first Chicago School of architecture and architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. That Style, named after Henry Hobson Richardson, generally follows Romanesque Revival Style, incorporating 11th century southern French and Spanish Romanesque characteristics, plus Richardson designs, which can be observed on the Depot.

The Restored Burlington Northern Depot & WWII Memorial Museum is a project in the Depot Hill Historic Preservation District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, cultural resources worthy of preservation, administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Mission

The Restored Burlington Northern Depot & WWII Memorial Museum: HONOR & DISSEMINATE the knowledge of the sacrifices of Montgomery County Iowa service people during the Second World War, and all citizens engaged in and affected by the conflict. COLLECT, PRESERVE, & DISPLAY materials & artifacts pertaining to WWII. PROMOTE & ENCOURAGE the study and research of the Second World War. Especially how the perseverance of Montgomery County soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and merchant marines, and those serving on the home front,resulted in ultimate victory.

Your visit to the Depot and Museum, which is ADA accessible, can include docent and self-guided tours, an orientation in the auditorium with a rear projection TV screen, use of the WWII and railroad history research library, and the gift shop.

History

● In 1903 when the CB&Q (Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) Railroad Depot was completed, it was a model of modern convenience linking Red Oak Iowa to more urban communities in worlds totally different from life here on the prairie. Rural communities were virtually inaccessible by any method of transportation until lifelines of railroads joined them to more metropolitan societies.

Re-dedicated 20 DEC 2003, on the 100th anniversary of the first dedication, The Restored Burlington Northern Depot now houses a WWII Memorial Museum, dedicated to all those who served in the Second World War, whether on the front lines ( 1,100 active duty service participants were from Montgomery County Iowa ) or the home front.

During the struggle against the Axis, the citizens of Montgomery County Iowa lost a high percentage of their sons. See our website for a report (3 pages, 30 KB .pdf) from the Iowa War Records Commission. Many of those active service participants from the county were assigned to Company F ( Villisca ) and Company M ( Red Oak ). During WWII, both units were part of the 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th “ Red Bull ” Infantry Division.

Artifact Collections

Artifacts of historical significance pertaining to World War II. For example, collections concerning citizen-soldiers on the war front, primarily in the North Africa and Italian Campaigns. Also, collections concerning the sacrifices of citizens supporting the war effort, from the home front.

Research Collections

Extensive research library covering primarily WWII, but also the various conflicts in which citizens from Montgomery County Iowa were engaged, beginning with the U.S. Civil War. Additionally, research collections regarding the history of railroads in Iowa and the Midwest. The railroad has been a major influence in Red Oak Iowa since the tracks were laid in 1869. The walking or driving tour of "Heritage Hill" will highlight the architecture from the early era of the community.

Facilities
Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
Library
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars
Appointment required: No
Services
Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Restaurant
Group Tours
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Ohio Museums Association 2024 Conference with AMM

July 24 - August 3, 2024

Columbus, Ohio

South Carolina Federation of Museums 2024 Conference

September 16 - 18, 2024

Laurens, South Carolina

Florida Association of Museums 2024 Annual Conference & Exposition

October 13 - 16, 2024

Daytona Beach, Florida

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