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The Ely Community History Center

It is acknowledged that one of the greatest factors in the economic development of a community is that it has a sense of place. The History Center contributes to that cultural identity, making Ely more attractive to commercial enterprises needed to balance the tax base for all of the town¹s citizens.  Both the surrounding neighborhood and the town of Ely were heavily settled by Czech immigrants.  The history center affords a centralized place to archive this unique ethnic background as well as documenting all aspects of the area history.

HISTORY CENTER     The History Center is housed in the Ely Community Center.  City government offices, City Council Chambers, a senior dining facility, and meeting rooms are also located within the building. Historic wall displays throughout the building document the history of Ely and its surrounding area.  

Wall Displays can be viewed Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The building is closed Saturday and Sunday, unless special events are scheduled.  The building is often open evenings due to meetings of various civic and non-civic organizations.

ARCHIVES ROOM    The archives room has been established on the second floor to house important documents, books, maps, government & community organization history, biographies, obituaries, town histories and family histories, church and cemetery information, scrapbooks and clippings, as well as historic photos, not just from Ely, but from the surrounding rural areas, and including the town of Shueyville and the unincorporated town of Western, Iowa.  Present holdings include over 50 collections and over 1,000 photos.

If you have information, photos, documents or stories relevant to area history please contact us for inclusion into our archives.  Documents and photos can be copied or scanned via portable computer at your residence if you wish.  Help us preserve our history!

Archives Room hours are WEDNESDAYS from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  Please call ahead if you plan to visit to make sure we will be there. We are happy to make appointments for other time to research in the archives. (319) 848-4963 or (319) 848-4074.

CONTRIBUTIONS & DONATIONS     The history society applies for grants from public and private foundations, but it also needs your contributions toward on-going projects.  Please consider making a donation by clicking one of the links  below and printing out a donation form.   Donations are tax-deductible.

bulletDonation form 1 - This form is in ".pdf format" and can be printed.  
If you cannot open it, download and install Acrobat Reader (free).  Alternately, use the link directly below
bullet Donation form 2 - This form is in "html format".  Print this form by selecting "File" and "Print" from your browser.

Ely School, circa 1930's
 The Ely School, built in 1923, is now the Ely Community Center.  It houses the History Center and Archives Room. Wall space in rooms and corridors hold displays showcasing area history.


 

A view of the growing number of
collections in our Archives Room.

                  Updated 11/6/09