Research
The Mary H. Jackson Research Center at the Nodaway County Historical Society Museum has an ever-increasing collection of local Nodaway County historical and genealogical resources. Our library consists of material from three organizations, the historical society, the Nodaway County Genealogical Society, and the Nodaway Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The DAR collections include their lineage books, patriot indexes, directories, and periodicals. Our local history collections include historic objects, photographs, archival documents, and microfilmed historic newspapers from the across the county.
The research center is open to researchers during regular museum hours, but it is recommended that you contact us ahead of time to schedule your visit and permit us to pull some materials for you. Our volunteers can assist you in accessing these materials but are not available to complete in-depth research on your behalf. For help conducting research, you may contact Dr. Elyssa Ford, associate professor of history at Northwest Missouri State University, to connect with a history student who can be hired as a research assistant.
Oral Histories
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In addition to our other collections, the museum holds dozens of oral interviews with Nodaway County residents. Significant collections of note include ones on farmers in the county and our military oral history collections, including interviews with WWII, Korea, and Vietnam veterans. Audio and some video recordings of these interviews can be accessed at the museum, and we are making transcripts available online.
Click above for military oral histories.
Other Local Collections​
The Maryville Public Library and Northwest Missouri State University also are home to local and regional history materials.
Education
The museum is pleased to offer resources to teachers, home school parents, and students. We have lesson plans that you can use in conjunction with our online exhibits or a site visit to our museum, and we can arrange a special tour for your family, your group, or your class.
School Visits
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During operating hours the Nodaway County Historical Society welcomes visiting students from around the area to come and learn more about the local history of the surrounding region. Regular tours are offered during operating hours for smaller groups but for class visits it's recommended to make an appointment. To make special appointments or for more information about the museum itself, call 660-582-8176.
Students in Nodaway County.
Lesson Plans
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The museum offers a variety of lesson plans that can be implemented in a classroom. On these lesson plans, you will be provided with information like the time required in the classroom, the appropriate grade level, materials needed, and activities that will help the students to develop their knowledge further. These lesson plans correspond with our exhibits and may be used in conjunction with a trip to the museum. Some, like the rural life lessons, relate to our displays and to some of our online exhibits.
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Note: These lesson plans were written by students at Northwest Missouri State University.
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Travelling Trunks:
Trunks with teaching materials are available on loan to teachers and home schoolers on the following topics.
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Hometown Teams: Sports
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Elementary​
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Middle School
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High School
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The trunks are available for free but must be picked up and returned by the teacher. Call to reserve your trunk today!
Rural Life Lesson Plans:
Elementary Level (4th-6th Grade) Lesson Plans:
Test your knowledge of Nodaway County with this interactive quiz, created with help from Caryl Terry and the CITE Office at Northwest.
Other Resources
Check out the Sanborn maps, available for some communities in Nodaway County. These maps cover 1880-1922 and include detailed information about commercial buildings.
Take a look at the National Register sites located in Nodaway County.
The Nodaway County Historical Society has received support from the Missouri Humanities Council. Click above to see all that they do.