PELLA, IA — Dr. Keith Fynaardt, a Mahaska County native and a professor at Northwestern University in Orange City, will be giving a presentation at the Pella Opera House on Thursday, March 16 at 7:00 PM as part of the History Series sponsored by the Pella Historical Society.

In a little-known piece of local history, the Dutch who lived in the areas of Peoria, New Sharon, and Sully were terrorized during World War I by a group called “The Black Hand.” Burning barns, schools, and churches–as well as the threatened lynchings of pastors–created a conflict between the long-established locals on one side and the tightly-knit community of immigrant Dutch on the other side. This had all the makings of a Hollywood movie when two cultures clashed and a World War stoked fear in everyone.

The Pella Historical Society invites the attendance of all those in the community who are interested in hearing the origins and outcomes of this unusual slice of area history. The presentation is free for members of the Pella Historical Society and $10 at the door for non-members.

More information: https://www.pellahistorical.com/