Opinion 2,5 From My Farmhouse Kitchen

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One day towards the end of August I the interesting displays at our own pace. which was ready for grinding corn and other grains stepped back in time. It was a day planned to explore the antiques and life from days gone by at the Plymouth County Historical Museum. The building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For over 70 years it was into flour. The mill drew farmers from Minnesota, South Dakota and other locations from up to 70

But when I entered the halls of Old the public miles away. It would Central, it felt as if I was again a student school for all have been ideal, but carrying school books with my pencils 12 grades in the Floyd River water and paper ready to learn. It wouldn’t FROM MY Le Mars, level wasn’t always have surprised me if school bells had FARMHOUSE Iowa. Fondly conducive to supplying rung or buzzers were sounding to KITCHEN called “Old enough power. So in By Renae B. Vander Schaaf 1873 steam power was added. That made a difference, as years later the mill produced 75 barrels of flour per day and five train car loads of feed. There was even a railroad spur built to help transport the flour and grain to where it was needed. Obviously industry does help a town grow. Central,” it was constructed in three sections: middle (1905), south (1925) and north (1952). During the school’s final years (1980-81) it was officially used as a learning center. Bit by bit, since 1983, the Plymouth County Historical Museum has been transforming the school building into one of Iowa’s largest announce it was time to end one subject and move on to the next. Thankfully they didn’t ring, so my friend and I could enjoy our afternoon exploring all Photos by Renae B. Vander Schaaf To me, a kitchen is always the heart of the home where women share their love for family by cooking up nutritious meals and sharing a cup of coffee with family and friends. historical museums. The rooms on The classrooms of the former the building’s five floors depict school are filled with various disPlymouth Counties earliest days plays. The kitchen in the Heritage and how it has changed through House is a definite reminder that the years. my life is not as busy as it could Like most communities, there is some history shared by all — yet each specific area has its own story which makes museum exploring interesting. This is one of the two log cabins available for touring on the grounds. be. I am not separating cream from the milk that I may or not have milked that morning and evening. My laundry consists of throwing the clothes in a washer, adding soap and pushing a few It was on Dec. 28, 1846 that buttons. I just don’t have the musIowa became a state. cles for a scrub board. Approximately 10 years later, the first settlers began building their homes in Plymouth County. Western Plymouth County has the distinction of being part of the Loess Hills. So of course, there is a In a little more than 10 years, display of the wildlife which can Plymouth County was surveyed be found in the area. for a railroad in 1868. John Insley Blair — who was known as a planner of railroad, railroad stock speculator and bridge builder — played a huge role in choosing the route for the Illinois Central Railroad to connect Iowa Falls and Sioux City. Blair must have been a I’m thankful these tools for keeping house are found in a museum and not in my home. The Medical Class room displays early medical equipment and plays homage to those early doctors who made house calls and often worked until totally exhausted, relying on their horse to bring them home safely. man of action, too. Le Mars (then Miller’s Lunch is a replica of a simply known as St. Paul favorite diner in the area from Junction) had rail service just a 1943 to 1990. When it closed, the year later in 1869. furnishings — including booths, That same year, Peter Gehlen scouted out a place on the Floyd River for building a flour mill. He had hoped the river would furnish and supply the power for his mill If you’re looking for a winter hobby, here’s one: build a replica of your barn with wooden matchsticks. See FARMHOUSE KITCHEN, pg. 6 countertops and décor — were relocated to museum. As we walked through the display, big