How, What and Why

At the Dunkerton Museum, as with any organization, comprehensive planning does not have a

finite beginning and end. The completion of a strategic plan and the generation of a new plan is

a process of continuity, renewal, and discovery. Few of our goals and objectives can be ticked

off as “completed” as each invariably leads to a new set of questions, challenges, and aspirations. Our responsibility is to focus on our clear institutional priorities, remain nimble enough to respond to unanticipated opportunities that may arise, and be diligent in our stewardship of all that we do. With this understanding, we offer the following strategic plan for  2024-2029.

Vision:

The vision of the Dunkerton Historical & Tourism Association is to share "Dunkerton Then and Now"

through the creation of a village demonstrating how the community has changed over time. The village

will share a path filled with incredible stories to pass on to others. Our role is to understand the past and

to educate our visitors by telling the story of Dunkerton's history and how it impacted the development of the town and the surrounding townships of Lester, Bennington, Barclay and Poyner.

Mission:

The Dunkerton Historical & Tourism Association preserves local culture and promotes the

community, enabling present and future generations to learn about and maintain our unique heritage.

Guiding Principles:

● Dedicated to Excellence

● Embracing Openness and Innovation

● Dedicated to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion

● Dedicated to Sustainable Development

● Committed to Personal Values

● Being a Good Neighbor

Strategic Direction 2024-2029

Our guiding focus for the coming five years is to expand and enhance discovery in all that we

do. Our collections are our strong base and platform for exploration and inquiry.

The possibilities and promise of making more discoveries about our Dunkerton history and

through our many stories; form our strategic goals. 

The Dunkerton Historical & Tourism Association preserves local culture and promotes the

community, enabling present and future generations to learn about and maintain our unique heritage.

Values Statement

Dedicated to Excellence

● The Dunkerton Historical and Tourism Association follows professional standards of

quality and excellence in all our programs, our collections, and exhibitions.

● We explore topics and stories in an inclusive, diverse, and equitable manner, mindful of

their relevance for contemporary issues and with a view to engage with new audiences.

● We collaborate with other organizations, groups, and communities that share our values

in order to broaden the experience of our audiences.

● We encourage academic institutions, such as the University of Northern Iowa, to use our archives and collections for academic study and research.

Embracing Openness and Innovation

● Our Museum acts as a community, a “learning campus,” where we engage with our audiences in new and creative ways to create long-lasting relationships.

● We experiment with content designed to build bridges from the past to the present and 

into the future, ready to provoke, challenge, educate, and inspire.

● New technologies and platforms are an integral part of our strategies. These tools serve

to enhance visitor experience and to extend our reach, bringing our stories to diverse

audiences without geographical or physical limitations, or time constraints.

Dedicated to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion

● We endorse staff, board, and volunteer recruitment policies that reflect the diversity of

the communities we serve.

● We foster cultural competence among volunteers and board members.

● We maintain free admission to the physical museum and to the online collection to

facilitate access to our Museum for all.

● We facilitate access for people with disabilities.

● Our collections and exhibitions, and our children and adult educational programs reflect

a comprehensive understanding of history, adequately reflecting minorities and

underrepresented groups in society.

Dedicated to Sustainable Development

● We contribute to sustainable development on all levels, including through our

educational programs and exhibitions.

● We protect our historic buildings and collections from the effects of flooding and storm damage.

● We strive to minimize the negative environmental impact of our Museum and of the

Queen Dunkerton Grinnell Educational Village.

Committed to Personal Values

● As board members and volunteers we are united in our commitment to further our mission.

● We fulfill our respective tasks with integrity, honesty, enthusiasm, and respect for one another.

Being a Good Neighbor

● We act as a community center.

● We seek cooperation with local partners, institutions, and businesses on all levels.

● When the time comes, we will highlight local products and artifacts in our gift shop.

Updated 3/19/2024

The Dunkerton Historical & Tourism Association has been organized as a public trust, holding

our collections and information as a benefit for those the Association was established to serve,

namely the Dunkerton community and the people of the Lester, Barclay, Bennington, and Poyner townships. Members of the Board of Directors and volunteers are committed to the

interests of these beneficiaries. The law provides the basic framework for museum operations.

As a nonprofit institution, the Dunkerton Historical & Tourism Association complies with

applicable local, state, and federal laws and international conventions, as well as with the

specific legal standards governing trust responsibilities.  Code of Ethics: Applies to members of governing authority.

Governance

Museum governance is a public trust responsible for the Association’s service to society. The

Board of Directors protects and enhances the museum's collections and programs and its

physical, human, and financial resources. The Board ensures that all these resources support

the Museum's mission.

Thus, the Board of Directors ensures that:

● all those who work for or on behalf of the Museum understand and support its mission

and public trust responsibilities

● its members understand and fulfill their trusteeship and act corporately, not as individuals

● the Museum's collections and programs and its physical, human, and financial resources

are protected, maintained, and developed in support of the Museum's mission

● the Board is responsive to and represents the interests of society

● the Board maintains the relationship with staff in which shared roles are recognized and

separate responsibilities respected

● working relationships among board members and volunteers are based on equity and

mutual respect

● professional standards and practices inform and guide Museum operations

● policies are articulated and prudent oversight is practiced

● governance promotes the public good rather than individual financial gain

Collections

The stewardship of collections entails the highest public trust and carries with it the presumption

of rightful ownership, care, documentation, accessibility, and responsible disposal.

Thus, the Museum ensures that:

● collections in its custody support its mission and public trust responsibilities

● collections in its custody are lawfully held, protected, secure, unencumbered, cared for,

and preserved

● a collections database will be maintained

● access to the collections and related information is permitted and regulated

● acquisition, disposal, and loan activities are conducted in a manner that respects the

protection and preservation of natural and cultural resources and discourages illicit trade

in such materials

● acquisition, disposal, and loan activities conform to its mission and public trust

responsibilities

● disposal of collections through sale, trade, or research activities is solely for the

advancement of the Museum's mission. Proceeds from the sale of collections are to be

used consistent with the established standards of the Museum's discipline, but in no

event shall they be used for anything other than acquisition or direct care of collections.

● collections-related activities promote the public good rather than individual financial gain

● competing claims of ownership that may be asserted in connection with objects in its

custody should be handled openly, seriously, responsively and with respect for the

dignity of all parties involved

Programs

Museums serve society by advancing an understanding and appreciation of the natural and

cultural common wealth through exhibitions, research, scholarship, publications, and

educational activities. These programs further the Museum's mission and are responsive to the

concerns, interests, and needs of the Dunkerton community and surrounding townships.

Thus, the Museum ensures that:

● programs support its mission and public trust responsibilities

● programs are founded on scholarship and marked by intellectual integrity

● programs are accessible and encourage participation of the widest possible audience

consistent with its mission and resources

● programs respect pluralistic values, traditions, and concerns

● revenue-producing activities and activities that involve relationships with external entities

are compatible with the museum's mission and support its public trust responsibilities

● programs promote the public good rather than individual financial gain

Updated 4/17/2024

All are welcome here.

We aspire to create inclusive, safe and welcoming communities.  We are committed to serving all Dunkerton residents, employees, students and

visitors, including but not limited to persons of every ability, age, appearance, culture,

ethnicity, experience, family status, gender, gender expression, immigration status, job

level, language, marital status, military/veteran status, nationality, perspective, physical

ability, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, skill and socio-economic status.

Building on the richness of its past while acknowledging the challenges of the

future, we are committed to empowering communities that value and celebrate all residents, employees, students and visitors.