The Oakdale Museum & History Center, nestled at 212 West F Street, stands as a proud testament to Oakdale's rich heritage. Built around 1870, this single-story Italianate-style home originally sat on a five-acre parcel west of downtown. Its location, set further back on the lot than most buildings, hints at its storied past.

The house's first occupants were Robert B. Sydnor, a merchant and Oakdale's inaugural postmaster. By 1882, the home welcomed the William Rutherford family, who resided there for two generations. In 1933, Thomas Prowse purchased the property and lived there until his passing in 1978 at the remarkable age of 101.

Architecturally, the home boasts 14-foot ceilings, picture rails, and transoms above all interior doors. Two chimneys catered to pot-bellied stoves, and kerosene lamps provided light until electricity was introduced, as the house was never plumbed for gas lighting. A basement under the back room likely served as cold storage, while a crawl space ran beneath the rest of the house. Historical photos reveal a once-graceful circular driveway adorning the front yard.

In 2009, the Friends of Oakdale Heritage (FOH), a 501(c)3 organization, was formed to manage and reopen the museum. By 2014, FOH gained ownership of the building, its collection, and associated properties. This transition allowed FOH to seek tax-deductible funding and lift the financial burden from the city. Since then, significant repairs and upgrades have been made, including a new roof, front porch flooring, access ramp, back steps, and entry doors. All 11 interior rooms have been updated, with the front parlor remaining the last untouched space.

The most recent endeavor involved transforming a display room into the Tim Haidlen Research Room, dedicated to housing bound copies of the Oakdale Leader dating back to the mid-1880s. This project included removing existing displays, stripping wallpaper, patching walls, updating electrical systems, painting, and refinishing floors. Custom cabinets were installed to store the valuable newspapers, preserving Oakdale’s historical narrative for future generations.

Once Upon a Tomb, on October 5, 2024. 

The museum is open to the public on 

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1:00 to 4:00 

Saturday, 10:00 to 2:00. 

Admission is free / donations are appreciated. 

Check out our new museum website, oakdalemuseum.org, for more information.