Entry No. 35 — the Des Moines file — filed under: washing machines
Jasper County Historical Museum
Newton's Jasper County Historical Museum is a legitimately peculiar shrine to the appliance that built the town — over 70 antique washing machines from Maytag and its nine local rivals line the floors, telling the story of how this small Iowa city became the self-proclaimed "Washing Machine Capital of the World." Beyond the machines, the 16,000-square-foot campus sprawls into WWII exhibits, an 1865 barn, a blacksmith shop, and Victorian rooms, making the weirdly compelling washers just the opening act.
The move: Arrive in the afternoon (open Tue–Sun, 1–4pm, May–September) and do a slow lap through the washing machine hall, rating the machines on aesthetic merit and arguing over which era had the best industrial design — then grab a late lunch in downtown Newton and poke around the small-town main street before heading back.
📍 Before you go The museum sits on Newton's south side, just off I-80 — an easy half-hour-plus run east of Des Moines and simple to find on the drive in. It's a seasonal stop, generally open afternoons from roughly May through September, so aim for a fair-weather day: the collection spreads across a multi-building campus — main hall, an 1865 barn, blacksmith shop, engine house, and ag building — and you walk the grounds between the structures. Out-of-county visitors pay an admission fee (Jasper County residents get in free), so bring a card or cash. Pair it with a wander through downtown Newton, a few minutes north.
- 📍 Newton
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1700 S 15th Ave W, Newton, IA 50208
Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: traveliowa.com · Tripadvisor · newtoniachamber.com
last checked: 2026-06-07