$10 Casket and a $3 Robe: Iowa’s Poor Farm Cemeteries

Doug Elam presents "$10 Casket and a $3 Robe: Iowa’s Poor Farm Cemeteries" with a Waterloo twist! As a lifelong student of history, Doug Elam sought a reason to tour all 99 Iowa counties. Upon discovering that nearly every county had a County Home (often referred to as a Poor Farm), he became curious about the fate of those who passed away there. Doug and his wife have visited over 50 sites so far. These cemeteries range from plowed-over cornfields to well-maintained burial grounds with plaques and markers. Join us for a fascinating discussion about these cemeteries, and the stories of those who are buried there.

Age group: Adults