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Our Events: Upcoming Events and Programs

See listings for events at:

The State Historical Building, Des Moines
Centennial Building, Iowa City
Abbie Gardner Cabin, Arnolds Park
Montauk Historic Site, Clermont
Plum Grove, Iowa City
Western Historic Trails Center, 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.

Over Here, Over There: Iowa and the First World War - Exhibit

Through Fall 2010
World War I posters and artifacts form the basis of this exhibit in the Iowa Resource Room.

Rarely Seen - Exhibit

Ongoing
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.

AUGUST

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SEPTEMBER

Blues Before Sunset – Matt Woods and the Thunderbolts

Sept. 3, 2010
Each concert is presented 5:30-7:30 p.m. outdoors in front of the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines. Blues Before Sunset is free and family-friendly with beer, wine and assorted beverages for sale. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs for seating. The concert series is presented by the State Historical Society of Iowa with support from Café Baratta’s and the Central Iowa Blues Society.

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What's Happening at the Centennial Building, Iowa City

State Historical Society of Iowa Centennial Building

402 Iowa Ave., Iowa City
Call (319) 335 - 3916 for information.

AUGUST

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What's Happening at the Abbie Gardner Cabin, Arnolds Park

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.

AUGUST

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What's Happening at the Montauk Historical Site, Clermont

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/historic-sites/montauk/index.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:
Wade Schott
Montauk, P.O. Box 372, Clermont, IA., 52135
Ph: 563.423.7173
Montauk@acegroup.cc

AUGUST

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What's Happening at Plum Grove, Iowa City

1030 Carroll Street (off Kirkwood Avenue), Iowa City

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

AUGUST

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What's Happening at the Western Historic Trails Center, Council Bluffs

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/historic-sites/western-historic-trails/index.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!

AUGUST

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Contact: Jeff Morgan
Public Relations
Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov
515.281.3858

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