The Kalona Historical Village has raised the bar on small town exhibits following the grand opening of its Streetscape display inside the Wahl Museum. After years of planning, hours of research, and the help of countless volunteers, guests got their first look at the finished product this week.

From the outside, the Wahl Museum may seem unassuming to passersby. Taking one step inside, however, guests are inundated with pictures, artifacts, and a realistic model of early Kalona. Thanks to numerous donations from area residents, there is something to be seen around every corner, and the sense of nostalgia is palpable.

The original framework for the Wahl Museum was constructed by Miller Builders in 2016. For a time, the building simply housed exhibits on the Native American presence in the area, the time of early pioneers of Kalona, and the railroad’s influence on its expansion. Since the completion of the Streetscape Exhibit from Edwards Creative out of Illinois, guests are given the full scope of the city’s history and those who built it.

Claudia Bishop, one of many who played a role in this project, said it best: “You cannot put in words what this is. You have to come see it. That’s just all there is to it.” The Kalona Historical Village is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.