Beginnings.. The Ankeny Area Historical Society began meeting monthly in 1988 at the Chamber of Commerce. In 1990, a collection of artifacts was offered to the society that needed an immediate home. Fortunately, the Ankeny school district allowed us to use the former industrial arts room behind Neveln School, at 400 SW Pleasant St., to house our initial collection. A few dedicated members converted the room into a meeting room and museum. Another half dozen members met with the director of the State of Iowa Historical Society to learn how we should establish policies and record gifts. Growth... In November of 1991, our first open house was held with a ribbon cutting, 422 donations cataloged and displayed, and over 100 visitors. We soon outgrew this room, and we also needed a more visual location. In July of 1995, rumors were growing that a 90-year-old house on 410 S. Ankeny Blvd. was going to be demolished to make room for two commercial businesses. One of our members made a visit to owner Bud Wiuff, an Ankeny developer, who planned to build a Dairy Queen and bagel business at this location. He said the house needed to be moved in two weeks! Twenty-two members gathered that afternoon in early July to tour the home and vote unanimously to obtain approval from the Society, the school, and the city to move this home to its present site. Another visit to Mr. Wiuff was made, and he extended the move time to September 1, 1995. A House and a Barn... Come tour our museum house with a parlor full of artifacts, an antique toy room, sewing and quilt room, lovely dining room, and a library full of information about the Ankeny area and the families who have lived here. Or, visit the newer barn, built in 2005. You can visit Floppy, Iowa's most famous beagle puppet, who was the star of his own program on local channel 13 from 1957-1987, and is currently on display. Also you can see a vintage kitchen, farming implements, military memorabilia, lots of information about the Ordnance Plant (now John Deere), and years of school and sports championships photos and items. Memberships available... The Ankeny Area Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. The society and the museum do not receive public funding from any government or municipal entity. We help to keep your history alive through yearly membership renewals, periodic fundraising events, and donations from the community. Operations... Our museum has non-traditional operating hours. We have an open house every Saturday from June through August at 10:00 am-12:00 pm. In April, May, October, and November, open houses are on the first Sunday of each month from 2-4:00 pm. If you're planning on coming to visit the area with a tour group, or coming from out of town, please call us (515.965.5795) and we can try to make other arrangements for you to visit during a different time. The historical society does have regular office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. and the office manager is there to answer phone calls and emails during this time. If this changes for a particular day, a Facebook post will notify our followers. If you're trying to reach us outside of our office hours, please leave a phone message or send us an email, and allow us at least 2 business days to respond.