Architectural sketches adorn William Wagner’s recreated studio at the Forest Park Museum in Perry. (Photo: Mathany Ahmed)
Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast or weekend wanderer, the Forest Park Museum and Arboretum in Perry is worth a stop on your small-town adventures. It offers self-guided tours through exhibits on Iowa’s past, from indigenous people to the first settlers.
Much of this history was collected by architect William Wagner, who authored the out-of-print “Sixty Sketches of Iowa’s Past and Present.” The museum showcases his collections, original sketches of Iowa’s historical buildings and his recreated studio.
The site also features the Alton Schoolhouse, the last one-room schoolhouse in Dallas County, and an 1860 log cabin. Visitors can stroll trails through 12 acres of restored prairies, just a short stroll from the Raccoon River Valley Trail.
