Untold Lamoni Stories
Preserving the personal histories that make our community unique
About the Project
Every person who has called Lamoni home has stories worth preserving
Our Mission
The Untold Lamoni Stories project is dedicated to collecting, documenting, and preserving the personal histories of our community members. While official records tell us about dates and events, it's the personal stories that reveal the heart and soul of our town.
From memories of childhood adventures on Main Street to recollections of family businesses that shaped our economy, these stories provide invaluable insight into what life was really like for the people who built and sustained our community.
How It Works
We invite community members to share their memories, family histories, and personal accounts through written submissions, recorded interviews, or video testimonials. Our trained volunteers help participants tell their stories and ensure they're preserved for future generations.
All stories are archived digitally and become part of the permanent collection at the Lamoni Historical Association, where they can be accessed by researchers, family members, and anyone interested in our local history.
Featured Stories
A sample of the incredible stories we've collected so far
"Growing Up on Elm Street"
"We didn't have much, but we had each other. Every evening, all the kids in the neighborhood would gather for games of kick-the-can that lasted until our mothers called us in for supper. The street was our playground, and everyone's parent was looking out for all of us."
Read Full Story"The Johnson Family Bakery"
"My father started the bakery with just a wood-fired oven and a dream. By 5 AM every morning, the smell of fresh bread would fill three blocks of downtown. People would line up before we even opened, and Saturday morning cinnamon rolls were a town tradition."
Read Full Story"High School in the '70s"
"Football games were the biggest event of the week. The whole town would turn out, and after the game, we'd all cruise Main Street in our cars with the radio turned up loud. It felt like the whole world was right here in Lamoni."
Read Full StoryShare Your Story With Us
Your memories and experiences are an important part of Lamoni's history
📝 Written Stories
Write down your memories and family histories. Whether it's a few paragraphs or several pages, every story matters.
Submit Story🎙️ Recorded Interviews
Schedule a conversation with one of our volunteer historians. We'll help you tell your story in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
Schedule InterviewStory Categories
We're interested in all types of stories from Lamoni's past
👨👩👧👦 Family Histories
Stories about families who have lived in Lamoni, including immigration experiences, family traditions, and generational memories.
🏪 Local Businesses
Memories of shops, restaurants, farms, and other businesses that have been part of our community's economic life.
🎉 Community Events
Recollections of festivals, parades, school events, and other gatherings that brought the community together.
🏫 School Days
Stories about education in Lamoni, from one-room schoolhouses to modern classrooms, and the teachers who made a difference.
🏡 Daily Life
What it was like to live, work, and play in Lamoni during different eras, including changes in technology and lifestyle.
👥 Notable People
Stories about individuals who made significant contributions to the community, whether famous or simply beloved neighbors.
Get Involved
Volunteer as an Interviewer
Help us collect stories by conducting interviews with community members. We provide training and all the equipment you need.
Volunteers typically commit to 2-4 hours per month and find the experience incredibly rewarding.
Help with Digitization
Assist with organizing, transcribing, and digitizing the stories we collect. This behind-the-scenes work is essential for making stories accessible.
Perfect for detail-oriented volunteers who enjoy working with historical materials.
Contact the Project
Project Coordinator
Sarah Williams
Education Coordinator
Email: stories@lamonihistory.org
Phone: (641) 784-3406
Office hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 AM - 4 PM
Questions?
Wondering if your story would be a good fit for our project? Curious about the process? Want to learn more about how we preserve and share the stories we collect?
Don't hesitate to reach out. We'd love to hear from you and answer any questions you might have about participating in the Untold Lamoni Stories project.