Our Museum & Buildings
1884 Free Will Baptist Church
The Jasper County Historical Society Museum
The Jasper County Historical Society museum is located on the south east corner of Clark and Van Rensselaer Streets. It was built by the Free Will Baptists and originally stood on the northeast corner of Susan and Van Rensselaer Streets.
In 1902 it was purchased by the Methodist Protestant Church and was moved to its present site. In 1916 it was sold to David Yeoman. This was the only year that taxes were paid on this building. In 1918, Mr. Yeoman sold it to Lewis Fritz who in turn sold it the Christian Scientists. It converted to a Christian Science Reading Room on July 15, 1918. The building was remodeled and repaired in 1922.
In 1982 when the Christian Science congregation dwindled, the few remaining members donated the building to the Jasper County Historical Society. In 2020 the Historical Society added the Helenor Alter Davisson Interpretive Center to the Museum.
Schools and youth groups may tour any of the historic sites preserved by the society by appointment. It is the society's aim to challenge and interest the youth to continue tin the preservation of the county's history.
Pioneer Village
Log Cabin
The Cabin was built in 1867 in Barkley Township by Mark Quick. In 1898 Thomas Walters purchased the farm. By this time a four room addition had been added and the Walters moved the log structure to be used as lambing quarters. In 1929 when Paul Hall bought the farm he moved the cabin to be placed inside a new barn and it was used as a place to store feed.
In 1967 the Hall family tore down the barn and donated the log building to the Historical Society. It was moved log by log to the Jasper County fairgrounds and put back together where it has stood since. It is furnished with articles pertaining to life in rural Jasper County in the 19th century.
The Rosebud School
Located in Union Township, this school house was on the land owned by the Halley Alter family. Records show that school classes were held in this building as early as 1877. It also served as a meeting place for the Methodist Prodestant Church in the late 1800's. The building continued to served as an elementary school until 1929. It was then turned into a dwelling and finally as a grain bin.
The Alter family donated the building to become part of the Pioneer Village at the Jasper County fairgrounds. In 1977, with financial help from the Jasper County Bi-Centennial Committee at the suggestion of Mr. Ira Huntington, the school took its place in the village.
Chalkboards and furniture were collected and the building was restored to look as much like the original school building as possible.
The Parr Post Office
This 9’x12’ building was owned by Vera Randolph, postmistress of Parr from 1938-1968. This was one of the smallest post offices in the United States.
Mrs. Randolph loved the children who stopped to see her on their way home from school. She called them her “Candy Kids.” She kept candy on hand to give to them if they didn’t bother anything in the office.
One time this post office was robbed and all the thieves got were a few money orders which were worthless. The F.B.I. caught the culprits in Oklahoma.
This building was donated by the Brunton family and was moved to the Pioneer Village at the Jasper County fairgrounds in 1969.
WPA Outhouse
The Pioneer Village outhouse was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Depression. The WPA Sanitary Privy building program sold these outhouses, costing buyers $5.00. Commonly called "Roosevelt Privies". This particular privy was donated by Edward Kosta Jr. Family to the Jasper County Fairgrounds in 2013.
The Friday Footnote blog from NCSU, has more information on the privy building program.
Other Historic Buildings in jasper county
Blacksmith Shop
The small blacksmith shop at the Jasper County Fair Grounds is maintained by the Retired Iron Club of Jasper County. The building was donated by Rensselaer Trinity United Methodist Church & moved to this location in 2003 by the Historical Society and Retired Iron Club. There it was converted to a blacksmith shop and dedicated to all the old-time blacksmiths and welders of this area. In particular to Jerry Knip, a Virgie area blacksmith, whose idea inspired this shop and to all others who donated blacksmith tools, money, or labor for the project.
During Fair Week, the Retired Iron Club displays various farm implements and tools. Their members also display antique tractors and other vehicles and are happy to share their knowledge with the community.