Madison County has many stories to tell that are the stuff of legends. The abundance of natural beauty in Madison County is the background against which these stories unfold, stories of people of unique character who made their mark on American life and our cultural landscape. Stories of a place that must be experienced first-hand.

From its heartland beauty to its storied history, Madison County is an American legend, a place with the soul of this country—honest, authentic, with warmth, history and depth of character.

Click on Visit & Explore for downloading maps of the county and for bridge locations.  For brochures highlighting historical information, attractions and movie sites, contact the Madison County Chamber of Commerce toll free at 800-298-6119, or send an Email to chamber@madisoncounty.com

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From African American agricultural revolutionaries to the Delicious Apple, Hall of Fame baseball players to movie stars, Madison County has a history like no other.

Hampton Inn Desmoines West

Discover Madison County, Iowa

Welcome to the birthplace of John Wayne and home of the historic covered bridges popularized by Robert James Waller's novel The Bridges of Madison County and the feature film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood. 

 

ATTENTION CHAMBER MEMBERS

Join us for our Annual Meeting & Awards Night, Thursday, January 26th, 5:30 p.m. at the Jackson Building. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, January 6th.

$20 per person in advance/$25.00 per person at the door. Event includes social half hour, full meal provided by Master Griller Catering, short business meeting and Business and Community Award Announcements. Click here to see event poster for details.

 

2011 Madison County Business & Community Award Nominations are being accepted now through Thursday, January 12th, 2012 for the following categories:

  • 2011 Business Person of the Year (2010 – Jeff Nolan)
  • 2011 Customer Service of the Year (2010 – Mark It Promotionals)
  • 2011 Business Improvement of the Year (2010 – Madhaus Gallery)
  • 2011 Chamber Volunteer Award (2010 – Jim Howland & Debbie Zacharias)
  • 2011 Covered Bridges Festival Volunteer Award (2010 – Brooke Sutphin)
  • 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award (2010 – Dennis Reed)

Please fill out the below "Nomination Form" and be sure to attach a brief narrative.

2011 Business & Community Award Nomination Form

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Nominees must have been chamber members for at least the last full calendar year.
  • Nominations will be accepted from the community, as well as chamber members, who may nominate their own business.
  • 2010’s winners in each category are not eligible to win in 2011.

General Information:

  • Businesses may be nominated in more than one category.
  • Only one nomination per entry form.  You may make additional copies of this form.
  • Nominations received by January 12th, 2012 are eligible for consideration.

Fax the nomination form and essay to (515) 462-1393 or mail to:

Madison County Chamber  ® 73 Jefferson Street ® Winterset, IA ® 50273

All nominees will be recognized at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Awards Night, Thursday, January 26th, 2012

 

 

Betterment Grant

The Madison County Chamber of Commerce established the Community Betterment Grant for the purpose of providing grants to the Madison County community for “permanent” improvements such as vertical infrastructure, beautification, renovations, repairs, etc. This program is funded annually by proceeds from the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival, and all nonprofit and for-profit businesses and organizations are eligible to receive grants. Grant applications were due by October 1st, 2011. Recipients will be announced at the Annual Banquet on January 26th, 2012.

Grant Guidelines (pdf)

Grant Application (pdf)

Discover the Heartland of America

Located just 30 minutes from Des Moines, Madison County includes the towns of Winterset, Earlham, Bevington, Patterson, Macksburg, St. Charles, East Peru and Truro, Iowa.

It’s a fascinating and fun place to visit, explore and live, with a rich history, enticing shopping and dining, welcoming lodgings, a thriving business community, a responsive economic development group, and a whole calendar’s worth of great community events.