with Sandra Kessler Host

Sandra Kessler Host was a farm girl raised in Sac County Iowa. Her great grandfather was German immigrant, Henry Kessler, who established a farm on the tall grass prairie in 1874, five miles away from where the future town named Odebolt would be founded in 1877. She heard pioneer stories from her father and grandfather growing up and developed a lifetime passion for history.

Sandra, like generations before her, attended the rural school, Willow Tree, known also as Richland Twp #1. Willow Tree was built in 1883 and closed in 1951. She promised herself she would find the reason for its closure. Sandra received her BA and teaching credentials from Simpson College and later a Masters from San Diego State University. She has taught high school students in Iowa and California.

She and her husband, Tony, returned to Council Bluffs, Iowa in 2006. In 2011, Willow Tree was moved to Heritage Square Park in Odebolt to be restored as a museum. In 2014, the museum received the state award for “Best Rural Restoration.”

Host has authored five books and written narrations for two video documentaries on Iowa’s rural history, settlement, and the pivotal role that the system of 12,623 one-room schools played in Iowa’s development. Tony serves as her “IT support guy” for her speaking engagements.

Sandra Kessler Host will be presenting her program on the one-room schools of Iowa on Sunday, June 29, at 2:00, at the English Valleys History Center, 108 N. Main, North English, IA.

All are invited to attend this event at no charge. Donations are accepted.