We’ll reveal the reality that Iowa and the Midwest were really industrial AND agricultural states. It merely took a creative genius like Don Thomas to find, lead, and manage and the industrious, resourceful, and self-sufficient rural people to build the products. We had the people to build a great economy and way of life in both industry and agriculture - and they joined with Don to do it in Jackson County. It is a great story about a unique PEOPLE - unique entrepreneurs and unique employees. There are great lessons to learn and fascinating people to meet.

When completed, a tour of the entire complex will involve fun with and learning about the Midwest as peaceful and quiet productive farm land, yet at times a really thunderous area with more personal assets and character than we realize. We want to do more than tell a story of those who developed this area. We want everyone to experience who they were and how they lived - to feel their genius, visions, strengths and spirits. THEY built a country.

With your generous help we can do it. So please help in whatever way you can - great or small, it all adds up. And every dime and every ounce of effort will be truly appreciated - and because we are a registered tax exempt nonprofit organization, your cash and property donations are tax deductible.

NOTE: The Clinton Engines Development Project is wholly owned by the non-profit tax exempt Jackson County Historical Society. A local non-profit Clinton Engines Association was started in 2006 but has not yet applied for tax exempt status. The President of the CEA owns Clinton Engines Products Company, that sells Clinton Engines parts. Further, there is a business being conducted under the name Clinton Engines Corporation also located in Maquoketa. This corporation is not listed by the Iowa Secretary of State as an active corporation but IS doing business. Neither CEPCO (aka in some financial resourses as CEPCO, Inc) nor the CEA nor the ‘new age’ “Clinton Engines Corporation” as an entity, has any ownership in the Historical Society or in the Clinton Engines Museum Project, though they (except the new “Clinton Engines Corporation” and CEPCO, Inc) did make valuable contributions to various aspects of the project. Nor does the Project or the Historical Society have any interest, financial or otherwise, in those entities. The treatments of donations to non-profit-not-tax exempt entities and to tax-exempt non-profit organizations have important differences regarding how much of the donated valuation can be deducted on a tax return. So, too for businesses. Always consult your tax advisor before making any donations to any non-profit organization or any business. At present if you wish to donate to the Historical Society’s Clinton Engines Musuem & project and be absolutely sure the gift valuation is fully tax decuctible, it can be donated to the Historical Society. If you wish to contribute to CEA or “Clinton Engines Corporation” or CEPCO or CEPCO, Inc then consult your tax advisor for specific advice about donating to a non-profit not tax exempt entity or to a commercial enterprise because of situationally dependent tax treatment of those donations.

To find out how you can donate your time and talents - even at long distance - contact the Curator, Jackson County Historical Museum via phone, FAX, letter, or e-mail. let her know what you can do to help. Give us a hand and have your name listed as a contributor. OR click HERE and go to our ole country store to make a quick donation. For a list of specific things we would like to receive check our Wish List - click HERE.