Adair County

Discover Adair  - Iowa’s "Garden County"
Plan a trip to Adair County and don’t forget to include time to tour the County’s many public and private gardens! Bus tours are welcome and “step-on” guides will be available by prior arrangement. Email your request to vistorinfo@mddc.com at least 4 weeks in advance.

     Self-guided tours of the country's wonderful gardens are always possible. Begin a visit to the many gardens featured at agriculture pioneer and former Vice President Henry Wallace’s prairie homestead, now called the "Country Life Center", or tour Gov. George Wilson’s childhood home and the wildflower gardens at the Adair County Heritage Museum Complex.
Adair County is more than gardens, however! Capture the scenic beauty of our rolling hills with your camera, take time to wander a nature trail, visit a vineyard, play a round of Frisbie golf, enjoy a picnic, or fish for catfish and bass. Adair County has something for everyone.
     History buffs can view the site of the first train robbery by Jesse James and his gang. See an authentic Mormon handcart and ruts made by Mormon Trail wagons. and view enormous 250,000 lb. solid granite rock left behind by a glacier centuries ago.  You can also tour a century-old Opera House, visit an antique Aircraft Museum, and shop for “treasures” in unique gift and antique shops. Hike, canoe, camp, bird watch, stargaze, smell the wildflowers, tour our beautiful gardens. Then at the end of the day, you can relax and unwind in one of the county's award winning Bed and Breakfasts.
      Have fun in June at Good Egg Days in Stuart, or Round-up Days in Bridgewater. In July, come to the town of Adair for Jesse James Chuck Wagon Days or join the folks on Antique Country Drive for Casey's Fun Days. And don't miss Orient’s Pumpkin Days in the fall.

Adair County is an easy drive from Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, and points in between. For more information contact: Adair County Tourism, P O Box 40, Greenfield, IA 50849 or email visitorinfo@mddc.com.

A tribute to our troops, both past and present
     A "must see" for every visitor to Adair County is located 1.5 miles south of I-80 on Highway 25(exit 86). It is an inspiration to anyone who feels the surge of pride when the American Flag is raised, or the National Anthem plays for one of our Olympians on the medal stand. Every year, for the last seven years, a talented local artist, Ray (Bubba) Sorenson, II, has done a Memorial Day tribute to our servicemen and servicewomen, both past and present, with a stirring tableau painted on a large granite boulder which stands next to Highway 25. "I love my country and I do it out of respect for the veterans. It's my way of thanking those who have protected the freedoms I enjoy today. God bless the USA," says Sorenson. To see photos of past year’s tributes, go to www.bubbazartwork.com/

Five B & Bs in Adair County

Tucked into the rolling hills of Adair county are five of Iowa’s nicest Bed and Breakfast Inns. Travelers who are lucky enough to overnight in one of these quiet treasures will year to return as soon as possible.

On Highway 92, just east of Greenfield, you’ll find the Brass Lantern at Windcrest Farm. Known for its beautiful heated indoor swimming pool, spacious private rooms with baths, gourmet breakfasts and closeness to the “Bridges of Madison County”, this B & B is the ideal location for a romantic getaway. The Brass Lantern was named “one of America’s 50 Favorite Overnight Stays” by Best Fares, a Travel Industry magazine.

Located on Jordan Avenue south of Casey is the Walnut Center Inn, a former historic rural school which has been restored and converted into a lodge. The Inn’s facilities include a kitchenette and showers and are ideal for family gatherings hunting parties, or a weekend retreat. Facilities for hunting dogs are on site. Weekly rental is possible.

Special Moments bed and Breakfast, a stately two story brick colonial style home, beautifully restore, is northwest of Orient, on Highway 25. Built in 192, the original oak woodwork and wood flooring are intact. Views from the side porch overlook Orient Lake. Awake to a delicious breakfast, after a quiet night’s rest in the serene countryside. Romantic dinners are available upon request. A perfect spot for a wedding!

Just a few blocks south of highway 92, on the corner of Oak and SW 2^nd in Greenfield, Back inn Time B & B invites you to “go back in time and experience life’s simple pleasures”. Guests enjoy strolling through the beautiful gardens, complete with fish pond, fountain and gazebo. Decorated with family antiques, in a log cabin-style décor, this B & B invites you to relax and reminisce of days gone by.

Experience Iowa farm life at Country Blooms Bed and Breakfast, located just north of Fontanelle, IA, on County Road N72. Private guest house sleeps 9, and includes kitchen facilities. Explore beautiful perennial flower beds and enjoy deer, pheasant, songbirds and butterflies in nature areas. Located on over 1000 acres of excellent pheasant and deer hunting acres; hunters are very welcome. Great for family gatherings, reunions, private getaways.

Enjoy a visit to the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center
If you enjoy history, artwork, gardening, or agriculture, then a trip to the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center may interest you.
The only Iowan to ever serve as Vice-President of the United States, Henry A. Wallace has roots in Adair County. His birthplace farmstead is open to the public for touring and meetings.  Located northeast of Orient, the farm includes a walking path through a reconstructed Iowa prairie, art sculptures throughout the path, almost four acres of vegetable and fruit production, flower gardens, the birthplace home and--- the newest addition to the property---the Gathering Barn.
      The Barn is a wonderful facility that accomodates groups and families for all types of meetings and gatherings. With prior notice, food service is also available. Any food prepared is made from scratch using as many fresh garden ingredients as possible.
     The whole Center tries to connect the philosophies and achievements of Wallace with modern day society. It is the goal to make Wallace's ideas relevant to today's society. In addition to his vice president, Wallace also served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, all under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Wallace was editor and writer for his family's farm publication, Wallace’s Farmer, founder of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, and a lifelong humanitarian and scientist. At the end of the last millennium, the Des Moines Register named him the “Most Influential Iowan of the 20th Century”.
     Open daily, the Country Life Center offers guided tours throughout the year. Guided tours, food service, and special meetings can be arranged in advance by calling the Center at 641-337-5019. To rent or reserve the Gathering Barn, call the same number.
     For further information, see the Country Life Center website at www.henryawallacecenter.com.

Spend an afternoon at the Adair County Heritage Museum

     The Adair County Heritage Museum, located on the west edge of Greenfield along Highway 92, is open every day from April  to October.  All buildings are open for tours, including the Museum, the Fontanelle Depot, the small barn, Governor Wilson’s house, the Penn Avenue Church and the country school.  Antique musical instruments,  memorabilia from the movie “Cold Turkey” which was filmed in and around this area, and a large pictorial display, featuring Adair Country Veterans, are among the many exhibits found in the museum.
Penn Avenue Church is available for weddings, anniversaries, baptisms, church services, etc. The Museum meeting room and kitchen are available for family reunions, anniversaries, showers, receptions, etc.    

     A new building, housing the  Center's large collection of period farm machinery and implements, was opened and dedicated in May 2005.
     You are invited to come and explore the displays and artifacts that are the history of Adair County. Picnic facilities, parking, and public restrooms are available.  All buildings are handicapped accessible. Large tours are welcome.

Adair county links

Brass Lantern Bed & Breakfast
Adair County Tourism