Wilkie House

Willkie House was established in 1917, originally created as a support facility for Black soldiers training at Fort Des Moines during World War I. The War Recreation Board launched the center to provide leisure activities and social services for these servicemen, many of whom were among the first Black officers in the U.S. Army.

By the 1930s, the organization had become a central part of life for Black residents in Des Moines. In 1933, it was renamed the Negro Community Center of Des Moines. By 1935, it was serving 70% of the city’s Black population and supporting over 120 community groups, offering programming for all ages.

From 1922 until her death in 1955, Lillian Edmunds led the center as its executive director. She worked to expand educational and employment opportunities for African Americans during a time of widespread racial discrimination. She also helped form the Iowa-Nebraska Federation of Settlement Houses and served on the Iowa Commission on Children & Youth.

In 1945, the organization began raising money for a new, larger building. The campaign drew support from 767 Black residents and groups, as well as the Gardner Cowles Foundation. Together, they raised $138,000 for construction. The new facility opened on June 17, 1951, and was named Willkie House, in honor of Wendell Willkie, a public figure known for supporting civil rights. The building included a library, a gym, and space for community events like dances and roller skating.

Through the years, Willkie House continued to adapt to community needs. In the 1980s, it became a venue for local punk rock shows, providing a safe, all-ages space for youth to gather.

Today, Willkie House operates as a youth development center, offering afterschool and summer programs that focus on academics, recreation, social skills, and health. It continues to serve families in Des Moines, just as it has for over a century.