The mission of Fremont County Historical Society is to preserve, protect, display and interpret the evidence of our history and local culture to the wider community and region.

The Fremont County Historical Society was incorporated with the State of Iowa on July 10, 1963 to preserve the heritage of Southwest Iowa and the stories of its people. The first officers were Ralph H. Greenwood – President; James H. Pullman Jr. – Vice President; Lela Parkison – Secretary-Treasurer. The Directors were Dr. Ralph Lovelady and Nina Christopher. Until the society acquired a building, James Moseley and Ernest Wilson, gathered and stored many archival materials and antiques. In 1966, the Sidney Baptist Church disbanded and its members voted to give their 1893 church building to the Historical Society. This building, now known as “The Gathering Place”, is part of the museum’s complex.

In 1969, the Fremont County Farm Bureau Women purchased the Sunnyside one room country schoolhouse located west of Waubonsie State Park on Bluff Road south of Highway 2. It was moved to a lot which was donated to the society by James Moseley, just north of the museum church. The museum schoolhouse is opened on a regular basis for school groups and museum visitors to tour.

In 1971 the Society purchased the Archie Garage located on the east side of the Sidney square and began transforming it into the main museum. This site remained the society’s main museum until foundation issues forced its closure to the public.

The current facility opened in May 2014, after an eight year renovation project. The museum is a combination of the history of Fremont County and the history of the Rodeo. It tells the stories of Fremont County, such as Lewis and Clark visiting the county, the Orphan Train, the Underground Railroad, and the Civil War. The lobby contains a gift shop and a photo gallery featuring all of our Fremont County towns. Other exhibits include prehistoric history, Native American history, a history of businesses of Fremont County , and military history. Rodeo exhibits include the Sidney Rodeo Band, Legion Drill Team, Rodeo Clowns, Rodeo Queens, Contestants and Events, Rodeo Stars, Veterans and Volunteers, Rodeo Hospital and Rodeo History.