History comes to life at Founders' Day celebration

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2025
Contact: Algona City Hall
Phone: 515-295-2411
History comes to life at Founders’ Day celebration
Founders’ Day weekend will offer multiple opportunities to take a step back in time to the early
days of Algona through live performances, historical tours and museum exhibits.
Voices from the Past
Witness history come to life with “Voices from the Past,” a live presentation highlighting early
settlers in the community. Two performances will be offered, with the first on Thursday, July 10,
at 6 p.m. at Riverview Cemetery. The second performance will be held at the Algona Public
Library on Sunday, July 13 at 2 p.m.
This year’s program showcases the stories of several habitants of the cemetery, including David
and Lydia King, who were very early settlers in the area. Their farmland has been in their family
for 150 years and is now designated a Heritage Farm. Listeners will meet Selma Kargleder
Beichlmair and hear the story of her family's move to Union Township in 1873, their experiences
here, and her life as a widow. Naomi Vincent Clapsaddle and her son, Don Clapsaddle, will be
featured. They will share the story of Naomi's death when Don was only 2 years old and his
impressive military career. The presentation also includes Margaret Haverly Theisen, an Army
nurse on the harrowing front lines during WWII who grew up in the Wesley area.
“Voices from the Past” is produced by the Algona Branch of AAUW and the Kossuth County
Genealogical Society and sponsored by the Algona Founders'; Day Committee and the
Haggard-Twogood Charitable Trust. Light refreshments will be provided by the Founders’ Day
committee following the presentation.
Free Historical Tours
Tours featuring Algona history include the Walk on Thorington on Friday, July 11 at 4:30 p.m.
This walking tour begins at the corner of State and Thorington Street. On Saturday, July 12 from
10 to 11:15 a.m. Lynn Kueck will offer a tour of the Wildhaven Campus, which includes a replica
of a Sioux Indian Tepee. This tour begins at 400 West Tietz Street and features true stories
about the history of Algona.

Museum Passport
New this year during Founders’ Day weekend is the Museum Passport and Punch Card. Visit all
of Algona’s museums between July 10 to July 13 and turn in your passport for a chance to win a
prize. Museum entrance fees vary by facility.
Founders’ Day Museum Hours:

• Camp Algona POW Museum: Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday

and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

• Kossuth County Historical Museum: Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Kossuth Count Ag & Motorsports and Iowa Hall of Fame & Racing Museum: Thursday

and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

To learn more about Founders’ Day activities call the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce at
515-295-7201 or visit the City of Algona’s website at www.algonaiowa.gov/foundersday.