Lenox College

Lenox College is a former higher learning institution in Hopkinton that now operates as the Delaware County Historical Museum with nine restored buildings spread across a four-acre campus. The collections feature agricultural equipment, historical vehicles, and everyday objects from different time periods displayed throughout the site.

The institution was founded in 1859 as Bowen Collegiate Institute and was among the first colleges in the United States to teach men and women together. Educational operations ceased in 1944, after which the campus was preserved for cultural and historical purposes.

The museum displays an original drugstore setup, a 1930s print shop, and clothing from different eras that show how people lived and worked. Visitors can observe the skills and trades that were common in earlier times and understand daily life beyond what textbooks teach.

Access is available Tuesday through Sunday from June to September between 1 and 4 PM, with visits at other times possible by arrangement. The grounds offer open access with pathways connecting the buildings, making it easy to explore at your own pace without rushing.

A monument from 1865 on the grounds honors students who served in the Civil War and was the first military memorial on any college campus. This monument shows how deeply the institution was connected to the major historical events of its time.

Location: Iowa

Inception: 1859

GPS coordinates: 42.34500,-91.24300

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00