The photo on the left depicts the mural on the wall at the Bank of Memories Museum.  The mormons passed through the edge of Orient on June 4, 1846.  The museum holds an exact replica of the Mormon handcart that was used by some of the followers to hold what belongings they could bring along as they headed across Iowa on their way to the great Salt Lake Valley in Utah.

The past refuses to be forgotten in Orient.  In May of 1997, the Bank of Memories opened its doors in a former Farmers & Merchants Bank building constructed in 1894.

The interior of the old bank was completely painted, cleaned and redesigned to accommodate a variety of historical displays.  The building is small and houses permanent displays and local history changing displays.  Bank of Memories hours are 12:30-4:30 Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 1:00-3:00 Tuesday, Thursday.  For more information call (641)-345-2283 or e-mail mgeidel@netins.net.
 
One permanent display focuses on Henry A. Wallace, former U.S.Secretary of Agriculture and Vice President of the United States.  Wallace was born 3 miles northeast of Orient and was editor of  Wallace’s Farmer magazine and founder of Pioneer Hi-Bred International.  Another permanent display is of Dazzy Vance who was born in Orient.  Dazzy was a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Lt. Col. Jack Conger was born near Orient and is honored in the museum.  He was awarded the Navy Cross for action in Guadalcanal in WWII. and was commanding officer of the Marine Air Reserve Unit at Buckley Field in Denver.  We also are honoring Grinnell College athlete Mike Augustine, born near Orient,  who was a cross country runner and former coach for 20 years at East High in Des Moines.  Because of his athletic versatility, he was considered the best Grinnell College fullback in Iowa during his day and also a star in basketball and track.  The above earned him three Hall of Fame presentations.