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The story of the Montgomery Memorial Library is, at its heart, a story of deep roots and a lifelong love for community. It began not with a building, but with a family’s journey across the Iowa prairies.
The story began in 1873 when Alec and Mrs. Montgomery arrived as pioneer settlers southwest of town. Their son, E.W. "Ed" Montgomery, was only two years old when he arrived. Having spent over seven decades as a pillar of the Jewell community, EW’s final act—as reported by the Jewell Record in May 1945—was to bequeath his property to establish a free public library for the town he loved.
On August 9, 1947, EW Montgomery’s vision became a reality. The very first library was established within his former residence, creating a space that felt as much like a home as it did a hall of learning. Under the guidance of Mrs. Helen Harwood, our first librarian, the library began its mission of serving the people of Jewell. For over thirty years, this house served as the sanctuary for our town’s readers and researchers.
As the community grew, so did the need for a modern space. In September 1979, as chronicled by the South Hamilton Record, the library reached a significant turning point. After decades of operation in the Montgomery home, the library was moved to its current prominent location on Main Street.
History is a fragile thing; newsprint yellows, and memories fade. To ensure that the stories of Jewell and the surrounding area are never lost, the MontgomeryMemorial Library is actively engaged in an ongoing digital archiving project. By digitizing historical newspapers like the Jewell Record and the South Hamilton Record, we are doing more than just saving paper—we are "democratizing" our history. Digital archives allow:
Universal Access: Anyone, anywhere, can research their family roots or local events.
Searchability: Decades of news can be searched in seconds using keywords.
Preservation: Digital copies protect the fragile original papers from the wear and tear of physical handling.
This mission is too big for any one institution to handle alone. We are proud to work in close collaboration with other Hamilton County libraries and museums. Together, we are pooling our resources and expertise to create a comprehensive digital record of our shared heritage.
We invite you to explore the rich history of our region. Browse the headlines, obituaries, and stories that shaped our county by visiting the link below:
Hamilton Co. Archives - Click Here
Our upcoming events and classes.