The Toolesboro Mounds

Louisa County Conservation is hosting a Hands On History event at the Toolesboro Mounds and Museum east of Wapello, and naturalist Lana Artz-McComb says the focus will be on the mounds and pre-settlement Louisa County. Approximately 2,500 years ago, the Hopewell tribe constructed a large amount of burial mounds along the Iowa and Mississippi Rivers, each containing various artifacts reflecting the status of the individuals buried there. Through careless excavation and the rise of agriculture, the majority of the mounds have been destroyed, and those located in Toolesboro are among the only ones left. The mounds are now protected by the Historical Society of Iowa, and the museum was created to help educate the public about the site’s history.

Artz-McComb emphasizes the importance of educational events such as this, saying, “It’s critical for us, whatever county you live in, to understand the history and the prehistory of your county. And especially here in Louisa County, we have such a rich history and prehistory, from the mound-builders that lived on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, all the way up to the first settlers that were heading west.” The program will include hands-on experiences such as prehistoric spear-throwing and traditional Native American toys and games. The Hands On History event is appropriate for all ages, according to Artz-McComb, and runs from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, October 22nd.