Support Fort Museum & Frontier Village
Help Preserve the Stories That Built Our Community
History survives because people choose to care for it. Your support helps protect historic places, preserve local stories, and keep the Fort a welcoming place to learn, explore, and gather.
Preserve Our Heritage
Help care for the historic buildings, collections, and exhibits that connect visitors with Iowa’s frontier past.
Sustain the Museum
Support the daily operations and ongoing maintenance behind every tour, exhibit, and visit to the Fort.
Invest in Its Future
Help support facility improvements and continued stewardship so this special place can serve generations to come.
A Gift With Lasting Meaning
Every Contribution Matters
Give an amount that is meaningful to you. Together, gifts of all sizes support the practical work of operating and preserving Fort Museum & Frontier Village.
Stay Connected to the Fort
Become a Member
Make the museum part of your year while supporting the care of our shared history.
Personal Membership Benefits
- Unlimited self-guided museum admission during tour season.
- One guided tour during tour season, booked at least 48 hours in advance.
- 10% savings in the Trading Post Gift Shop.
- 5% savings on event admission at the museum and Frontier Opera House, excluding Frontier Days.
- A subscription to our semiannual newsletter.
- Free or discounted admission at participating Time Travelers museums, subject to each museum’s requirements.
Single
Membership for one person.
Single Parent
One parent and all children under age 18.
Family
Two parents and all children under age 18.
Grandparent
Two grandparents and up to four grandchildren under age 18.
Memberships follow the calendar year.
Business Memberships — Invest in Local History
A Community Partnership With Lasting Value
A business membership connects your organization with the preservation of Fort Dodge’s history. Your support helps sustain museum operations, care for historic buildings and collections, and maintain a welcoming place for visitors and community gatherings.
In return, your business receives recognition and benefits that encourage employees to explore the museum and enjoy the Frontier Opera House.
Included With Every Business Membership
- Business recognition: Your business name displayed on the “Friends of the Museum” board in the Trading Post Gift Shop.
- Employee admission savings: $2 off museum admission with proof of employment, such as a business card or employee ID.
- Opera House rental savings: A membership-level discount on rentals for business meetings and holiday parties.
- Museum updates: A subscription to our semiannual newsletter.
- Time Travelers benefits: Access to free or discounted admission at participating museums, subject to each museum’s program requirements.
Choose Your Level of Support
| Membership Level | Contribution | Employee Admission Savings | Opera House Rental Savings* | Employee Gift Shop Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | $250–$499 | $2 per admission | 10% | Not included |
| Major | $500–$999 | $2 per admission | 10% | 10% |
| Colonel | $1,000–$4,999 | $2 per admission | 15% | 10% |
| Brigadier General | $5,000–$9,999 | $2 per admission | 20% | 10% |
| General | $10,000+ | $2 per admission | 25% | 10% |
*Opera House rental discounts apply to business meetings and holiday parties. Memberships follow the calendar year. Employees must provide proof of employment to receive employee benefits.
Put Your Membership to Work
Encourage your employees to discover local history, plan your next business meeting in a distinctive setting, or bring your team together for a holiday celebration. Your membership pairs practical benefits with support for a local historic destination.
Ready to Become a Business Member?
Email Jen Fitzgerald with your business name, preferred membership level, contact person, and phone number. Our team can answer questions and help coordinate your membership.
Give Your Time & Talents
Volunteer at the Fort
Enjoy meeting people, working outdoors, or helping behind the scenes? Let’s find a way for you to contribute.
- Tours and visitor assistance
- Gardening and grounds care
- Cleaning and facility support
- Daily operations and event preparation
- Frontier Days activities and events
- Bingo nights
Tell us about your interests, availability, and any skills you would like to share. We welcome a conversation about how you can help.
Ask About VolunteeringCarry Your Values Forward
Leave a Legacy
If preserving local history is part of the legacy you want to leave, we welcome a conversation about your wishes.
A future gift can express your connection to this community and your hopes for the museum’s continued preservation.
Contact our Executive Director to discuss your intentions and confirm the museum’s legal information and the arrangements it can accept.
Start a Legacy ConversationPrefer to Mail Your Support?
Make checks payable to Fort Museum. Please indicate whether your payment is a donation or membership and include your contact information.
Fort MuseumAttn: Donations / Memberships
1 Museum Rd.
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Thank You for Caring for the Fort
Your generosity helps keep our community’s history present, personal, and worth passing on.
Talk With Our Team