The camp, which housed World War II German prisoners from April 1944 to February 1946, was located northwest of the city, generally where Algona Municipal Airport is today.

While it was open, about 10,000 prisoners passed through its gates.

The history of that camp is contained in a museum that opened in 2004.

The Camp Algona POW Museum, located near downtown Algona, also houses information on a good share of the 2,641 men and 100 women who served during World War II from Kossuth County.

-Submitted photo
These Army vehicles once used during World War II are on display at the Camp Algona POW Museum in Algona.

“We’re in year 22 and always are looking for new avenues to tell those stories,” museum committee President Brian Connick said. “A recent expansion is giving us even more opportunities.”

When the public begins visiting in April, they’ll be able to view the background of the museum with a 13-minute show. A gift shop will also greet them as they enter, next to the viewing room, offering eight to 10 book titles and three to five T-shirt designs.

“We’re excited to show off these expansion areas,” Connick said.

Connick has been involved with the facility since year one.

“Typically, we do an open house as part of a new year,” he said. “We’re having a board retreat soon to finalize all of that information. That event is in conjunction with our Veteran of Year display being released.

“It’s not just area and regional people who come to the museum,” he added. “We also have bus tours come through.”

The museum’s regular hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from April to June. Those hours are increased to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 4 p.m. weekends from June into December.

“We generally use December to April to do any renovations and display changes,” Connick said. “There is a chance to do special tours if any organizations would like to walk through. Our volunteer staff is looking forward to showing off so many wonderful things, including the veterans interactive area, which houses many photos.”