Hometown Heritage
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Featured Acquisition
Construction of the old Perry Post Office
The findings
As we have listened to the stories of the communities, transcribed their interviews, and scanned their photographs, themes of their lives and community began to emerge. We illustrate the themes of work, family, faith, education, and loss with selected photographs from our collection. |
Faith
Because immigrants from many countries settled Perry, the congregations represented are also diverse. The first three churches in the community were Methodist, Baptist and Christian. Eventually, there were 16 different churches for the current 7,000 residents. The history of these churches show how as their congregations grew, the church would move from a house or a basement to their own building. Churches range from large congregations, such as St. Patrick's Catholic Church, to smaller congregations of several families.
Because immigrants from many countries settled Perry, the congregations represented are also diverse. The first three churches in the community were Methodist, Baptist and Christian. Eventually, there were 16 different churches for the current 7,000 residents. The history of these churches show how as their congregations grew, the church would move from a house or a basement to their own building. Churches range from large congregations, such as St. Patrick's Catholic Church, to smaller congregations of several families.
Education
Iowa communities historically made education a priority. Oftentimes, as communities were founded, the school was built before the general store. The photographs in this section document the one-room schools, the early town schools, and the later emphasis on buildings that consolidated the student population. Also, teachers and students are shown from the beginning of the settlement to the present.
Iowa communities historically made education a priority. Oftentimes, as communities were founded, the school was built before the general store. The photographs in this section document the one-room schools, the early town schools, and the later emphasis on buildings that consolidated the student population. Also, teachers and students are shown from the beginning of the settlement to the present.
Work
In this section, we have a variety of photographs that exemplify the different types of work from the early settlement of the community to the present. For example, Perry was settled as a "magic town", when the railroad went through what was then farmland in 1869. Magic towns appeared overnight as the railroad made its way west. The collection of railroad photographs begins with the early steam engines and goes forward. Here also are photographs of farm life from the late nineteenth century to the present-- threshing days, early tractors, and other aspects of farm life are represented. There are pictures of mines and miners, packing plants, merchants, and shopkeepers.
In this section, we have a variety of photographs that exemplify the different types of work from the early settlement of the community to the present. For example, Perry was settled as a "magic town", when the railroad went through what was then farmland in 1869. Magic towns appeared overnight as the railroad made its way west. The collection of railroad photographs begins with the early steam engines and goes forward. Here also are photographs of farm life from the late nineteenth century to the present-- threshing days, early tractors, and other aspects of farm life are represented. There are pictures of mines and miners, packing plants, merchants, and shopkeepers.
Family
In this section, families from the late nineteenth century to the present are portrayed. Family life includes the early settlers to the area -- some who are German, Irish, Swedish, Welsh, and English. The range of these photographs shows families at work and play. The diversity of the early immigrants to the present day immigrant families show the complexity of this small Midwestern community.
In this section, families from the late nineteenth century to the present are portrayed. Family life includes the early settlers to the area -- some who are German, Irish, Swedish, Welsh, and English. The range of these photographs shows families at work and play. The diversity of the early immigrants to the present day immigrant families show the complexity of this small Midwestern community.
Loss
Every community goes through changes. Perry was founded when the railroad came through in 1869, and in 1980, the last train went through the town. More than 100 men and their families found themselves out of work, but the whole community felt the loss. Other changes include farming, education, the meat packing plant, and stores that closed their doors. At the same time, new immigrants came from Central and South America. Other stores and businesses opened. These photographs represent what was lost and, in some ways, what the community has learned.
Every community goes through changes. Perry was founded when the railroad came through in 1869, and in 1980, the last train went through the town. More than 100 men and their families found themselves out of work, but the whole community felt the loss. Other changes include farming, education, the meat packing plant, and stores that closed their doors. At the same time, new immigrants came from Central and South America. Other stores and businesses opened. These photographs represent what was lost and, in some ways, what the community has learned.