Our Events: Upcoming Events and Programs
See listings for events at:
The State Historical Building in Des Moines
Montauk Historic Site in Clermont
Western Historic Trails Center in Council Bluffs
What's Happening at the State Historical Building in Des Moines
All events take place at the State Historical Building and are free unless otherwise noted.
State Historical Building
600 East Locust, Des Moines, IA 50319
The museum and historical library are handicap accessible.
Free parking is available in a parking ramp located in front of the building
on Grand Avenue.
State Historical Museum
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday
Noon - 4:30 p.m. Sunday
Closed Monday and official state holidays
The Iowa Museum Store
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday
Closed Sunday, Monday and official state holidays
Café Baratta’s
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday - Friday
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday and Monday
Closed Sunday and official state holidays
ONGOING
The Iowa Crinoid - Exhibit
Temporary display, Mezzanine Level
Iowa fossil display on the Mezzanine Level of the museum.
Caucus Iowa - Exhibit
Opened October 5, 2008
Politically - oriented exhibit explores Iowa's role in national politics.
Captive Nature: The Wildlife Dioramas of Joseph Steppan - Exhibit
November 19, 2007 - September 7, 2009
Beautiful wildlife dioramas on display in the 1st Floor Caucus Forum Room.
Rarely Seen - Exhibit
July 11, 2009
An exhibit of items from the collection of the State Historical Museum that have not been displayed for some time.
Art in Daily Life - Exhibit
December 5, 2009 - January 2011
Art In Daily Life, showcases the native American collections of the State Historical Museum. The exhibit, which runs through January, 2011, features American Indian objects of great beauty including beaded tobacco bags, weapons, dolls, war shirts, dresses, moccasins and more – a majority of which have never been on public view.
Art In Daily Life examines Native American objects as both works of art and cultural artifacts. The exhibit shows how items of daily use can be elevated from mere utility to examples of artistic skill and vision.
Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon
Dec. 19, 2009 - Feb. 28, 2010
“Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon” was created by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program to tell the story of the Vietnamese-American experience in America, from the significant influx in 1975 to the present. It explores the themes of challenge, contribution and change, emphasizing the vibrant diversity of the Vietnamese-American community.
JANUARY
ACT: Fifty Years 1959/2009
January 20-May 2010
Showcases the 50-year history of ACT, Inc., the Iowa City-based not-for-profit organization specializing in education and workforce development.
The exhibit traces the history of ACT, Inc. – originally known as American College Testing Program – to a meeting of co-founders E.F. Lindquist, a University of Iowa professor and national expert in educational measurement; Ted McCarrel, UI Director of Admissions and Registrar; and 16 state representatives who met in Iowa’s Old Capitol on the University of Iowa campus on Aug. 21, 1959. That event founded the American College Testing Program, now known as ACT, Inc.
The display includes a timeline of major events in ACT history and artifacts from ACT’s past including test documents and components from early test scoring machines. Visitors can also view an audio-video display with recordings from early leaders describing how the organization evolved.
FEBRUARY
The Dolls of Japan: Shapes of Prayer, Embodiments of Love
Feb. 2-March 31, 2010
A traveling exhibit showcasing 70 dolls from Japan in honor of the 50th anniversary of Iowa and Yamanashi, Japan, as Sister States.
The origin of Japanese dolls is extremely old, beginning in the Jomon period about 3,000 BC. But it is only since the Edo period (1603-1868) that dolls have taken on a wide variety of forms and purposes, and many different types have been produced – as the embodiment of spirits to be worshipped, as objects endowed with magical powers, as playthings in human form, or simply for the purpose of display and appreciation.
Japanese dolls reflect the customs of Japan and the aspirations of its people, possess distinctive regional attributes, and over the centuries have developed in many diverse forms. Dolls also provide a showcase for traditional Japanese craft products, such as textiles. In “The Dolls of Japan,” dolls are grouped according to particular events in the Japanese calendar, their method of manufacture, their design and regional characteristics.
Included are Japan’s representative dolls, including Hina ningyo (Girls’ Festival dolls) and Gogatsu ningyo (Boys’ Day dolls), which have their origins in ancient customs; dolls connected to traditional performing arts like noh, bunraku and kabuki; regional dolls from throughout the country; and “creative dolls” produced by contemporary craftspeople.
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday Celebration
Program - "Myths and Mysteries of the Lincoln Assassination" with Dr. Blaine Houmes
February 12, 2010
11 a.m - 1 p.m.
Ever since President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, questions, rumors and speculation have surrounded the medical aspects of his death and those connected with it.
If the president had been rushed to a modern-day emergency room, would he have survived? Why wasn’t he returned to the White House to die in his own bed? Did John Wilkes Booth actually escape and live on for many years?
Blaine Houmes, M.D., of Cedar Rapids, will address these and many other questions surrounding Lincoln’s assassination.
In his address, “Myths and Mysteries of the Lincoln Assassination,” Houmes draws upon his background in emergency medicine and his studies of the Lincoln assassination from a medical point of view.
“My interest in Lincoln’s assassination is largely by default,” Houmes said. “The medical aspects of Lincoln’s life and health have always intrigued me, as he had typical backwoods pioneer origins and life risks. The assassination interest evolved from frequent requests for information and opinions.”
Fueling his interest in the topic is his collection of Lincoln assassination artifacts, some of which will be on display for one day only. Visitors will see Lincoln “blood relics,” such as a blood-stained shirt cuff worn by Lincoln to Ford’s Theatre where he was shot, part of the farmhouse porch John Wilkes Booth lay dying on, the veil Mary Todd Lincoln wore to the theatre that evening and more.
“Like most collectors, these items were obtained from a variety of sources: dealers, auctions, eBay, family collections and ‘finds’ in antique shops,” Houmes said. “They pop up in some really strange places.”
In addition to Houmes’ presentation and Lincoln artifacts on display, the event celebrating Lincoln’s birthday will include live music, a chance to tour the “Lincoln and Iowa” History on the Move mobile museum, Civil War re-enactors, the Lincoln presenter Stan DeHaan, a display featuring "Big Red," the Red Palmetto flag from South Carolina, and light refreshments. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lunch or order lunch from Café Baratta’s.
Historical Discovery Discussions - "Lincoln Links"
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Heritage Classroom
Discuss Abraham Lincoln’s legacy in Iowa plus review images of Lincoln related letters and materials from the State Historical Society Library and Special Collections.
MARCH
Historical Discovery Discussions - "Immigrants and Iowans"
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Tone Boardroom
On this St. Patrick’s Day, discuss how the Irish and other immigrant groups continue to impact Iowa. Examples of naturalization papers, immigrant diaries, and foreign language newspapers will help document some of the historical immigrant experience.
Participants may bring their own lunch. For more information, contact Susan Jellinger, (515) 281-6897, or susan.jellinger@iowa.gov
What's Happening at the Centennial Building, Iowa City
Call (319) 335 - 3916 for information.
JANUARY
TBA
What's Happening at the Abbie Gardner Cabin
Memorial Day - Labor Day
Noon - 4 p.m. daily
Labor Day - Sept. 30
Noon - 4 p.m. Saturday - Sunday and school groups by appointment
Call (712) 332 - 7248 for information.
JANUARY
TBA
What's Happening at the Montauk Historical Site
All events listed below take place at Montauk and are free unless otherwise noted.
Montauk is the home of Iowa's 12th governor, William Larrabee. It is located one mile northeast of Clermont on U.S. Highway 18. For more information, visit www.iowahistory.org/sites/montauk/montauk.html
Memorial Day - Labor Day
Noon - 4 p.m. daily
Labor Day - October 31
Noon - 4 p.m. Friday - Sunday and school groups by appointment
Contact:
Montauk, P.O. Box 372, Clermont, IA., 52141
Ph: 563.423.7173
Montauk@acegroup.cc
JANUARY
TBA
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What's Happening at Plum Grove
Memorial Day - Labor Day
1 - 5 p.m. Wednesday - Sunday
Labor Day - October 31
1 - 5 p.m. Saturday - Sunday and school groups by appointment
JANUARY
TBA
What's Happening at the Western Historic Trails Center
All events listed below take place at the Western Historic Trails Center and are free unless otherwise noted.
Western Historic Trails Center
3434 Richard Downing Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
Located in Council Bluffs on 24th Street south of I - 80 (exit 1B) across from Bluffs
Run Track & Casino.
712.366.4900
April 1 - October 31
Daily 9 - 5
November 1 – March 31
Tuesday through Sunday 9 - 5 (closed Mondays)
Closed Official State Holidays.
www.iowahistory.org/sites/western_trails/western_trails.html
Ongoing exhibits and videos interpret four western expansion trails: Lewis & Clark, Mormon Pioneer, California and Oregon.
The
Trails West Gift Shop at Western Historic Trails Center is the Headquarters
for Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Education!
Contact Mary Lu
Larson at 712.366 - 5077.
WHTC.Store@iowa.gov
Jam and Bread - Musician's Jam
Thursdays every month, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Local musicians gather at trails center to play old time country, bluegrass,
blues, etc. Open to anyone who plays, sings or just wants to listen. Free
homemade bread!
JANUARY
TBA
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