Exhibits

Visitors are amazed at the variety of exhibits located within the Wilder Memorial Museum. Our museum includes three large rooms of exhibits, which include a Textile Exhibit, Prairie Farm Exhibit, Victorian Art Glass and Furniture, Meissen and Dresden Porcelain, Impressionist paintings, Doctors Exhibit, Geological and Cultural Display, and an Heirloom doll collection, among many others.

The heirloom doll collection contains over 800 rare and beautiful examples of dolls from around the world dating back to the 1700’s. The majority of these dolls were collected by two local sisters, Blanche Baldridge and Gladys Keneally, and includes Italian Lenci, French Bru, German Heinrich Handwerck, Mexican wax, and American Emma Clear.

Our military exhibit dates back to the Revolutionary War. The strong military heritage in Northeast Iowa is displayed in items such as uniforms, weaponry, and service medals including a World War I purple heart.

The majority of the Victorian furniture, art glass, and hanging lamps belonged to a lifetime Strawberry Point resident and past museum Board president, Marcey Alderson. His stunning collections range from over two dozen needlepoint chairs, art glass including Peachblow, Mount Washington, and Burmese, as well as forty hanging and dozens of table lamps. Also included in the lamp collection is a lamp used in the movie “Gone with the Wind.” This is not a comprehensive list of his collections as there is also a stunning array of rare European porcelain figures and lamps including Meissen and Dresden.

Myrwyn Eaton, a Strawberry Point native, donated his entire collection of Impressionist artwork, which includes hundreds of pieces, utilizing many different mediums, such as watercolor, gouache, and pencil. Eaton, well known worldwide for his abilities, held private shows in Paris, New York, and at the United Nations. Throughout his global travels and California retirement, Myrwyn Eaton never lost his love for his hometown, which is why he decided to donate his collection to the Wilder Memorial Museum.

Our Geological and Cultural Exhibit displays items dating back millions of years. The majority of these items were part of the amazing collections of Blanche Baldridge although many local and area residents have contributed to this beautiful display. Included are items such as a mastodon tooth, geodes, and various stones such as lapis and quartz. Also within this exhibit are items such as an arrowhead collection found by local resident Walter Zwanziger and an African headdress donated by Pauline Seward.

The Doctor’s Exhibit highlights local doctors in a display of cabinetry, a local doctor’s chair and table, as well as college diplomas, and original doctor’s bags.

The Prairie Farm exhibit includes items from the settlement era of Strawberry Point including handmade wooden tools, a goat treadmill, and covered wagon hoops.

The Textile display highlights a handmade loom from 1847, spinning wheels, and a variety of unique clothing items such as a 1920’s Flapper wedding dress, and hand tatted wedding cap from 1905. A variety of quilts is also on display including a Farewell quilt and Double Wedding Ring quilt, utilizing feed sack material, donated by local resident Florence MacTaggart.

This is just a sample of the many exhibits located within the Wilder Memorial Museum. Make plans to spend the day with us, as there are items for all ages and interests.