The Washington County Military Museum is settling well into its new home at the Kalona Historical Village. 

The F Troop Military Museum has relocated from Washington to the Village, in a house just west of the Visitor’s Center. There are several events planned at the Kalona Historical Village over the next couple of months to help raise money for the museum. On February 22nd, a showing of the film “From Iowa & Back: The Vietnam Era” will be held. The cost is $5 for the public, but veterans and members of the Kalona Historical Village can get in for free. On March 21st, the Kalona Historical Village and local historian Mike Zahs will host an 1870s period meal. The cost is $35 per person.

In addition, Mike Huston, a representative of the Washington County Military Museum, will host a presentation on April 1st, “The Pride of Washington County,” giving a closer look at photos taken of real soldiers in Washington County during the Civil War. Huston says that the Civil War was the first war in American history to be photographed, and he’s spent some time hunting down and collecting images to display at the museum, “I really like to focus on the Civil War in Washington County specifically. Washington County had 1500 men who served during the Civil War. And I started collecting images, so I collect images of just local Washington County guys, and I’ve accumulated over 150 photos.”

Huston says his presentation will feature discussions about the lives of the men behind the photographs, including who they were, what they did, and how they contributed during the war.

This year, the museum will also feature exhibits honoring America’s 250th birthday. Huston encourages visitors to not just come look at the items, but to look at the interpretations behind the items. More exhibits, events and programming are planned for the rest of 2026.