[birds chirping] ♪♪ [KOHLSDORF] Every wall, shelf, and display case at the Sheldon Prairie Museum is overflowing with artifacts and antiques that tell the story of this northwest Iowa city.

[MILLIE VOS] If you go through a tour, it'd be a good three hours and people will call and say, can I do it in a half hour?

An hour?

No.

If you want a full tour, you've got to figure it's going to be about three hours.

[KOHLSDORF] The building holds many unexpected treasures.

A soldier's diary, a skydiver's flight suit, even a wooly mammoth's tooth.

The museum's collection is built with donations.

But not just anything makes the cut.

[MILLIE VOS] It has to be something that has been in Sheldon.

It has to be something that is ancient, old.

It has to be something that's in very good condition.

It cannot be something that's had its day, you know?

The hard part is finding a place to put it.

If you've ever been in the museum, you will find the walls, anything that I can put things on, I do.

[KOHLSDORF] Visitors will learn about Sheldon's founding and development over time.

School yearbooks and stories of city scandal are among the most popular exhibits.

Much of the museum's lower level honors residents' military service.

Famous native Sheldon Knights are inducted into the Sheldon Historical Society Hall of Fame, celebrating Olympians, CEOs, and others who have made their mark beyond the city.

Museum director Millie Vos takes great pride curating this museum and sharing her city's story.

[MILLIE VOS] It's a passion of mine.

I love history.

I love digging in and finding out about people.

♪♪ [MILLIE VOS] I do this to promote the history of Sheldon.

♪♪