In June of 2004, the Camp Algona POW committee signed a contract with the Iowa State Bank, purchasing the former Furniture Loft Building at 114 South Thorington Street in Algona.  The facility is over 14,000 square feet of usable space, divided into 4 areas.  Current plans call for use of the 4,000 square foot center space as the museum.  The other portions of the building have renters under contract.

            On July 9, 2004, the doors of the museum opened for the first time unveiling our initial and permanent display.  The opening was in conjunction with Algona’s Sesquicentennial celebration. The 70-foot linear exhibit contains 7 panels that tell a brief story called ‘German Prisoners of War in America: The Camp Algona Experience’.  The exhibit combines narrative, photos and 3-D and flat artifacts.

            The second panel places the camp in physical perspective.  A scale floor model shows the size and location of the 178 buildings on the 287-acre site just 2 miles west of Algona.  Photos of the guard towers, fences and buildings reveal the size of this ‘city’ within the Algona community.  A rare guardhouse door is displayed to impress upon the viewer nature of security measures at the camp.

            In panel three, the viewer sees authentic maps, charts and signs that demonstrate the impressive nature of the branch camp system.   Thirty-four branch camps in 4 states used prisoners as workers in many economic ways.  For this work, the prisoner was paid $.10 per hour.  The total value of their labor was $3,506,000.  Quotes from former prisoners as well as Algona civilians tell a story of hard work, good treatment and cooperation.

            Panel four is full of artifacts that show the life of the prisoner during work and leisure time.  The Geneva Convention requires that all prisoners must have at least 24 consecutive hours away from work each week.  The words of Alfons Johann tell a touching story of Christmas in a branch camp in Minnesota.  The guitar he describes in the story is on display.  

              In the next panel, the viewer is shown images of artwork done by prisoners in their leisure time.  The Geneva Convention calls for the captors to provide opportunities for prisoners to have time for intellectually creative activities.  Of course, the most famous work of art created by prisoners at Camp Algona is the world famous Nativity Scene.  It is displayed at the Kossuth County Fairgrounds by the Methodist Men’s club of Algona.  Prisoner Edward Kaib was the creator of the Scene.  The viewer will see a miniature crèche made by Kaib and given as a gift to an area family during his captivity.  The life and work of American guards at Camp Algona is also shown in this setting.

            Panel six gives more details of the daily life of American’s at the camp.  Seventy-nine civilians worked there in various roles.  The dress uniform of Captain R. K. Glattfelder, camp adjutant as well as the footlocker of Lt. Col A. T. Lobdell is shown.

            The final panel of the ‘Camp Algona Experience’ deals with the prisoner leaving Camp Algona for what they hoped to be a reunion with their families.  A photo of the final prisoners leaving the site in February of 1946 is shown.  The words of former prisoner Alfons Johann, Otto Fischer and Lorenz Theissen grip the reader with the heartache of realizing many of them were going to be held in camps in France and England instead of going home.  In spite of that disappointment, Fischer says, ‘It may sound paradoxical, but the time as a prisoner of war in USA is one of the nicest in my life, for it was the rebirth of a new life after the terrible experiences of the war, which I had to live through as a young man. ‘

            The visitor cannot miss a refurbished 1940 Ford Fodor V-8 Deluxe.  It is a representation of the many staff cars that were used at Camp Algona.  Painted in authentic olive drab with the correct military markings, the car serves as a reminder of the many military vehicles that were seen on the streets of Algona during the time the camp was in operation.

            But this is just the beginning.  Many future exhibits are being planned to fill the spacious interior.  Displays such as more artwork of prisoners, unique stories of selected prisoners and American personnel will be created.  The museum is requesting and receiving artifacts from Algona area residents who were a part of the World War II experience.  These American military displays will tie together the larger story of this war with the ‘Camp Algona Experience’.

            The museum is open every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Out of town viewing and tours can be arranged by calling 515.295.3719; 515.295.9602 or 515.295 9465.