Welcome, residents and visitors!
The Madison County Historic Preservation Commission exists to encourage historic preservation throughout Madison County, Iowa, by providing information, education, and technical assistance to individuals, businesses, and locations. Learn more about what we can do to assist you in your preservation projects and learn more about Madison County history by wandering through the information we have provided here.
Winterset Cemetery UGRR Walking Tour
Madison County had over 90 known individuals who participated in our Underground Railroad era (1857-1862). Most lived their adult life here and are buried in cemeteries throughout the county.
The greatest number of burials are within the Winterset Cemetery, where 20 individuals were laid to rest. One was freedom seeker Charles Moore, buried not far from Matthew and Caroline (Kale) McGee, in whose home he took refuge. The cemetery was chosen by the National Park Service to be listed on their Network to Freedom to demonstrate the significant contribution of Madison County to the Underground Railroad movement.
The Historic Preservation Commission has created a Winterset Cemetery Walking Tour that highlights each of the 20 individuals buried there. It includes a map to direct you to the gravestones and a short paragraph describing each individual’s contribution. It starts at the State of Iowa Historic Marker and ends at the Network to Freedom plaque at the entrance to the cemetery.
Print the two-sided walking tour here.
Read more about the Underground Railroad in Madison County by clicking on the Underground Railroad tile below.
Courthouse Restoration
Historic District Facade Project
Engaging Students
City Park Historic District
Courthouse Historic District
Property Owner Information
Madison County’s National Historic Places
The Underground Railroad
