The Tour Experience

Lessons of History through Seven Points of Interest

Our greatest hope in your visit is that we generate interest in the events that took place here as a reflection of the wonders of the pioneer spirit and of the pain, suffering and courage of so many as preface to the American Civil War. 

As you walk about the 180 year old home we will through seven points of interest focus on:

1. Pioneer settlement of Southeast Iowa and the western migration of the Quaker community.
2. The tragedy of slavery and the courage of those who sought their freedom aided by abolitionists through what became known as the Underground Railroad, and
3. The vision, imagination and hard work of Henderson and Elizabeth Lewelling, family and friends in forging westward on the Oregon Trail to begin the Pacific Coast Fruit Industry.

At each stop your docent will explain events and describe historic artifacts followed by a discussion where there is interest.

Tour stop one:  South lawn weather permitting:  Topics:  Early pioneers.  The Lewelling home.  The 1830’s land and terrain.  Farm orchards and grafting.  Proximity to Missouri and slavery.

Tour stop two:  Parlor or Living Room:  The home interior and preservation history. The National Park Service Network to Freedom and passport stamp. Lewelling family Welsh heritage and westward migration, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana and Iowa.  The family & brothers. Nomenclature of the Underground Railroad.  Quakers as abolitionists.  Settlement of Salem.  

Tour stop three:  Kitchen:  The Fugitive Slave Act.   The home as safe house or station.  Concealing freedom seekers below the kitchen floor.  Bounty hunters.  The north star and the way north.  The work of conductors.  The 1843 Quaker division.  The Quaker Meeting House and means of moving northward.

Tour stop four:  Center room or Dining room:  Salem’s six safe houses.  The Collins house and the Beehive.  A second hiding place.  The ladies dress collection.  Quaker weddings.  Store ledgers and sewing machine.  The basement and its use.

Tour stop five:  Office of Nelson Gibbs:   Who was Nelson Gibbs?  The Ruel Daggs Federal Court case charging Salem citizens with violation of the fugitive slave law.  The nine freedom seekers, who were they and what happened to them. Civil war soldier Adam Kimple and the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Salem Chapter.

Tour stop six:  Second floor bedrooms:  Family living conditions in the 1840’s.  Period clothing.

Whittier College.  Family photos.  The Pickard family experience.  

Tour stop seven:  Return to parlor:  Catalogue of Apples.  Lewelling the adventurer.  The way west on the Oregon trail with 700 fruit tree seedlings.  Orchards of Oregon.  Elizabeth’s demise.  The home from the civil war until today.  The museum bibliography, partnership program, visitors log, newsletter. 

Thank you for your interest in American history!