Keokuk Area Tourism Bureau & Visitor Center

07/03/2025

It'll soon be racing season! Check out the 2025 schedule at Lee County Speedway!

‼️🏁‼️🏁 Save the dates🏁‼️🏁‼️

07/03/2025

A unique way to not only honor veterans and active duty military but make our Main Street look beautiful! For more information, contact www.mainstreetkeokuk.com no later than Wednesday, March 12, 2025!

Hometown Heroes banners are selling quickly and the deadline is fast approaching!

Honor your veteran or active duty loved one with a banner on Main Street. Banners will be displayed from Memorial Day to Veterans day in 2025 and 2026.

The deadline to order is Wednesday, March 12th. Hit the Hometown Heroes tab at www.mainstreetkeokuk.com to learn more!

05/03/2025

Hey Keokuk area residents! Misplace a camera at this year's 2025 Bald Eagle Appreciation Days? What was lost is now found! If you feel this might be your lost camera, please contact the Keokuk Area Tourism Bureau!

04/03/2025

Join us for some family-friendly fun! Please note the location of the concert, we were not able to play at the Grand Theatre this year.

See you there!

27/02/2025

For over 37 years OPERA Iowa has created magic in rural schools, city classrooms, cafetoriums, community centers, concert halls and gymnasiums, offering over one million young people and adults a quality arts experience today while building new enthusiastic opera audiences for tomorrow.

We are excited to bring to you OPERA Iowa's show of Cinderella on March 15th at 7pm. 18 and under are FREE!!! College students are free with their college ID. General admission is $20.

You don't want to miss this!

21/02/2025

Great news for the City of Keokuk!

We are so excited to announce that effective today, February 20, 2025, Keokuk is now a Certified Local Government!

Why is this a big deal?
Becoming a Certified Local Government (CLG) is a big deal for our community because it opens up opportunities to preserve the unique historical character of Keokuk, which is rich in heritage and significant landmarks. The CLG program is a partnership between local, state, and national governments that strives to promote historic preservation.

Here's why it matters:

1. Access to Funding: As a CLG, Keokuk will have access to exclusive grant money that's only available to certified communities. This funding can be used for various projects like restoring historic buildings, conducting surveys of historic properties, and creating educational programs about Keokuk’s history.

2. Technical Assistance: Keokuk will receive expert advice and technical assistance from state preservation offices. This could help in managing historic sites more effectively and planning preservation strategies that keep the town's character intact while allowing for modern development. We received a Planning for Preservation CLG Grant that will pay for a consultant to help us do just that this year!

3. Local Control: By becoming a CLG, Keokuk gets more say in how local historic properties are handled. This means more local decisions rather than state or national bodies dictating what happens in Keokuk’s historic areas.

4. Community Development and Tourism: Preserving historical sites and promoting heritage can attract tourists, which boosts local businesses and the economy. It can also make the community more attractive to potential new residents and developers who value cultural heritage.

5. Educational Opportunities: We hope being a CLG can help educate residents and visitors about the history of Keokuk, which will cultivate a community pride and keep people in our community. It also provides learning opportunities for students and scholars interested in history and preservation.

For Keokuk residents, this means not only preserving the past but also using it as a tool for community enhancement and economic development. It helps keep the identity of Keokuk alive while ensuring progress and development are done thoughtfully and sustainably.

20/02/2025

This gem from the Keokuk History Center's Miller House Museum:
Image of work being done by Iowa sculptor Nellie Walker on the statue of Chief Keokuk.