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This elegant 1856 home sits on a hill on the south edge of Winterset and overlooks the town. The house consists of nine rooms, with all-brick construction on a limestone foundation. The bricks were made in the brick yard of the owner, Charles D. “Doc” Bevington. The walnut for the woodwork came from the hillside below the house.
Bevington settled in Winterset in 1853 after going to California in the Gold Rush of 1849. He was one of the wealthiest men in central Iowa and owned over 4,000 acres of Madison County land. In 1857, Bevington’s third wife (of four) died, and he sold the house to Judge John A. Pitzer, another prominent figure in Madison County history. Bevington bought the house back in 1859, and it remained in his possession and that of his daughter, Lida May (Mayme) Smalley, until 1934.
The house was a gift to the historical society from June Kaser, a former historical society president, and the last occupant of the house. It has been restored and furnished in Victorian richness and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In days gone by, many Madison County children spent winter days sledding down the northeast section of the yard, affectionately known as “Mayme’s Hill.”
The railroad came to Winterset in 1872 and the depot first sat in the east part of town. It was moved to two blocks north of the Courthouse Square in 1909. The depot was an exciting place to be before automobiles and airplanes came into fashion. Store owners would leave from here to go on buying trips to the East, where they saw the latest products to order for sale in their shops. Families would gather here to tearfully send their sons and fathers off to World War I, and to meet them when they returned. For many years, the train was the only means of transportation to Des Moines. In addition to railroad memorabilia inside the depot, a model railroad is set up outside the building and serves as a site for gatherings of railroad enthusiasts several times a year. Moved to this site in 1984, the depot was restored in 1991.
This building functioned as a school from 1878 to 1939. It was moved from south of Winterset in 1991. It is a gift of Miriam and Nelson Howell. 
Built in 1934, this classic gas station was moved from W. First and Washington St. in 1995. Stones in the rock front were brought from Arkansas by the builder, Clark Criss. Donated by Ron and Freda Brittain.
Built in 1994 in an early 1900s style. Books from 1875 and the office artifacts inside were the property of a Winterset attorney.
Originally located in Douglas township and later the home of Francis McDonald and the Henry Kuntz family. Restored to an authentic 1850s look, this structure was the gift of Paul and Eunice Hann.
This building houses tools used in a typical blacksmith shop. Metal art structures on display were made by Carroll Beverlin, a Madison County resident. |
Next to the mansion and built in 1856, the privy is an early example of a “three holer,” made of local limestone with gorgeous native walnut woodwork. Believe it or not, but this privy is on the Nationa Register of Historic Places!
Built in 1881, the church was moved to the complex in 1988 from its original site in Scott township, about three miles southeast of Winterset. Zion Church was federated in 1920 and the pastor was Rev. Theodore Marning. The church sanctuary holds about 80 persons and is frequently used for weddings and other group events. The church and its basement are available for rental. Click here for rental information.
In 1991 this barn was built with funds donated by Elmer McKee to house our growing collection of tools, implements, machinery and farm-related items. Donated by the Elmer Dean McKee Estate (1905-1990).
This neighborhood grocery store was moved to the complex from its first location in northeast Winterset in 1986. It was a gift of the Field family. The store was built in the mid-1920s by Ancil (Deacon) and Nellie Field with the help of Deacon’s brother, Ernie. It sat at the corner of 8th Street and East Filmore.
Before large supermarkets were in vogue, there were several small stores similar to this one around town. Some of the items sold were boxes of penny candy, pickles from a barrel, various canned goods, cans of lard, cigarette papers, tobacco, and 100 pound bags of sugar and flour. A typical purchase was 5 cents worth of flour and 10 cents worth of sugar. There was also bread, cookies, potatoes, onions, eggs, and canned milk. The Driscoll family delivered ice for the store’s ice box. Behind the store was a tank of kerosene for sale.
Nellie was a busy, well-liked woman, who extended credit to customers who were in good standing. The store was also a gathering place for Deacon’s racoon hunting friends in the winter.
After the store closed in the early 1940s, several families rented the building as a residence. It had electricity, but no modern facilities. The renters carried water from the well at the Field’s house next door, and also used their privy.
In operation from 1870 to 1876, this post office was moved to this site in 1984 and restored to its original 1800s look in 1991.
This limestone barn was built in 1856. In the 1880s draft horses, bred by Dr. Bevington, were housed in the stone barn. During the first seven months of 1889, thirty-five train carloads of twenty horses each (seven hundred in all, at an average of $125 per horse) were shipped out of Madison County to eastern markets. Some of Dr. Bevington’s horses were undoubtedly included in these shipments. |
