March 29, 2024

County museum to open new World War II exhibit

‘Greatest Generation Day’ proclamation expected in April

The final pieces are coming together for the Jasper County Historical Museum’s World War II exhibit, which will open to the public at the end of April.

Museum Executive Director Ken Barthelman wants to make the exhibit’s debut a community event. He is pushing to make April 30 “Greatest Generation Day” in Newton and Jasper County with an official proclamation. The city and county are expected to approve the proclamation later this month, according to Barthelman.

The museum’s tribute is unique because it encompasses military, industry and agriculture contributions to the war. Jasper County manufacturing, which was thriving during the war, is particularly fitting for this angle.

“Newton was known as the industrial center of the Midwest at that time, not just Iowa, but of the Midwest,” Barthelman said. “We had the industry here to do parts for the war.”

Maytag Corporation produced tons of parts for the Allies, including engine blocks and redesigned hydraulic cylinders. The Vernon Company and Newton Manufacturing Company also made significant contributions to the effort.

Jasper County’s agricultural role during the war was also immense. During World War II, central Iowa possessed 25 percent of grade-A farmland in the country, Barthelman said. The war effort required area farmers to stay home and work the farm land to produce food for both the troops and the general population.

From a military perspective, Barthelman spent countless hours putting together a list of soldiers from Jasper County who died in the war. When he started his research, he was surprised to learn that there was no comprehensive list available.

Some lists included just 70-80 fallen soldiers from Jasper County. Barthelman dug into the Newton Daily News’ archives on microfilm at the Newton Public Library and found more than 115 names. After weeks of research, the museum director is about ready to publish his list.

“I want to be as accurate as I can,” Barthelman said. “It’s never going to be perfect, but it’s going to have probably 120-125 names.”

Those names of the Jasper County veterans who died in battle will be displayed at the new exhibit on April 30. Free museum tours will also be available at the event. More information will be published as it becomes available.

Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com