Want to know Jasper County history?

Larry Hurto walks into the “war room” of the Jasper County Historical Museum on opening day, surrounded by real-life relics of battle and handmade displays brimming with information about local soldiers and the events they experienced. His mind, ripe with knowledge, doesn’t know where to start.

As a local historian and the museum’s newest assistant director, that’s not a bad problem to have. It just means Hurto has to remind himself to reign in his thoughts every so often and develop a strategy on tours. Or perhaps he can recall when he worked at the Jefferson County Museum in West Virginia a few decades ago.

“I did museum tours and assisted with displays and stuff up there,” Hurto said, shrugging his shoulders. Yeah, a tour of the Jasper County Museum in Iowa should be no trouble for the man who has consistently researched the history of Newton and the surrounding areas for who-knows-how-long.

Showing off Jasper County’s historical roots is nothing new to Hurto either. In the past, he has provided guests guided tours of Newton’s downtown district and its county courthouse. Studying local history is rewarding for Hurto, who enjoys learning about “remarkable people” whose accomplishments are unappreciated.

“And I’m still learning about remarkable people, sometimes by accident,” Hurto said. “I read microfilm newspapers at the Newton Public Library at least once a week. I’m looking for something and then, lo and behold, I find something that distracts me. And it’s amazing.”

Ken Barthelman, executive director of the Jasper County Historical Museum, recommended to his board of directors that Hurto be the assistant director and lead the docents who often provide the tours. Of course, there’s likely a chance Hurto will give a few tours every now and again, too.

“He has such a great memory and such an intimate knowledge of all the business people in the county and he really likes pre-20th century history,” Barthelman said of Hurto. “And I’ve always been fond of 20th century history. Always have been, and I’ve been more oriented towards manufacturing. So we balance each other.”

Somehow Hurto has a way of retaining the knowledge he’s worked so hard to research for and investigate, Barthelman added. With Hurto’s help, Barthelman was able to expand the Civil War section of the Jasper County Historical Museum to include an in-progress display on the Underground Railroad.

Having Hurto’s vast array of knowledge and his keen sense of history helps the museum and its guests in the long run, Barthelman said.

“I think it makes a big difference,” he said. “It’s like he lived with those people! He’s that good at retaining information. So he always has interesting stories.”

Tours will be held 1-4 p.m. daily at the 1700 S. 15th Ave. W. museum. The public may request a docent to tour them through the facility or browse by themselves.

All current Jasper County residents may tour the museum free of charge. Out-of-county visitors ages 18 and older are $10; ages 5 and under get in free while others pay a $5 entrance fee. Social distancing and masks are not required, but staff recommend guests adhere to these practices if not fully vaccinated

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com