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 Coming in October to a School Near You: History on the Move History on the Move is an innovative new program from the State Historical Society of Iowa that brings Iowa history to the students of Iowa. History on the Move (HOM) will feature new, exciting exhibits in a mobile format that will enable school children across the state to learn about Iowa history without having to travel.
The first exhibit in this new format is "Lincoln and Iowa." This exhibit, produced in cooperation with the Iowa Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and with support from Union Pacific Railroad Foundation, highlights Lincoln's associations with Iowa both before and during the Civil War. Did you know that Lincoln owned land in Iowa? Or, that Lincoln visited with Grenville Dodge in Council Bluffs to discuss a route for a transcontinental railroad? These and more Lincoln associations will be highlighted in the exhibit as well as a chance to see if you "measure up" to Lincoln!
The initial visits of the HOM trailer will accompany a play about Abraham Lincoln produced by the Old Creamery Theater of Amana. Middle schools that book the play will also get the traveling exhibit.
Bookings will begin in early October and can be made by contacting Old Creamery Theater, (319) 622-6034 or www.oldcreamery.org.
Photo: President Lincoln met with Grenville Dodge in Council Bluffs in 1859 to discuss the transcontinental railroad. TOP |
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From Distant Places to Dubuque Shores: 175 Years of Jewish Presence
The State Historical Society of Iowa has teamed with Temple Beth El in Dubuque to present "From Distant Places to Dubuque Shores: 175 Years of Jewish Presence," an exhibit featured in the State Historical Library Reading Room
Visitors may view the exhibit beginning Sept. 9, 2009 in the Reading Room at 600 E. Locust, Des Moines. Reading Room hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed Sundays, Mondays and official state holidays). There is no fee to visit the Reading Room.
"From Distant Places" was developed by Karin Pritikin, vice president of Temple Beth El, to celebrate the unique role the Jewish community played in the history of Dubuque and Iowa. Alexander Levi (pronounced lee-vee), a French Jew of Spanish descent who immigrated to the United States and arrived in Iowa in 1833, provides the backbone of the exhibit. Levi's story parallels that of many immigrant entrepreneurs who worked hard, then took leading roles as philanthropists in their communities. Among his many accomplishments, Levi was the first Iowa immigrant to become a naturalized citizen of the United States.
With interactive multimedia presentations, "From Distant Places" offers images, oral histories and traditional music to help tell the story of Dubuque's Jewish community.
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Historic Preservation Workshops Sept. 17-18 in Muscatine
The State Historic Preservation Office, in partnership with the Louisa County and Muscatine historic preservation commissions, will offer two days of historic preservation workshops Sept. 17-18, 2009 in Muscatine.
Day one will feature "Historic Preservation Basics," to introduce programs, funding, financial incentives and resources for those interested in preserving properties. The day begins at 2 p.m. and there is no cost to attend.
The first step in preservation is getting a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so day two offers an opportunity for in-depth learning about the process. State Historical Society staff will help participants understand what it means to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, guide them in researching a historic property, explain the procedures for nominating a property to the National Register, and clarify each question on the registration form. Day two begins at 9 a.m. Registration is $35 and reservations are requested by Sept. 1. Contact Kathy.Gourley@iowa.gov.
Both days, workshops will be at the Pearl City Station, 100 Harbor Drive in Muscatine. Staff will also be available for 20-minute one-on-one technical assistance sessions for personalized discussion of specific projects. Property owners should bring photos, drawings and other documentation so staff members can fully understand the property. Appointments need to be scheduled in advance and should be noted on the workshop registration form.
For more information and registration form, visit www.iowahistory.org.
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Monthly Historical Discovery Discussions Begin Sept. 16
The State Historical Society will begin its third season of Historical Discovery Discussions in September. The event was formerly Book Discovery Discussions, but changed its focus to appeal to a broader audience.
Historical Discovery Discussions will be the third Wednesday of each month from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines. Participants are welcome to bring their own lunch, or order one from Café Baratta's. There is no fee to attend. Contact Susan Jellinger at (515) 281-6897 for information.
The schedule of discussions is as follows:
- Sept. 16: Country Schools
- Oct. 21: Iowa Haunts
- Nov. 18: Iowa Veterans, Old & New
- Dec. 16: Making Census of Iowa
- Jan. 20: Wrestling Tradition
- Feb. 17: Lincoln Links
- March 17: Immigrants and Iowans
- April 21: Pieces of Home, History & Art
- May 19: Reading Iowa
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Historical Library Resources Key for Genealogist's BCG Certification, Publication
Marieta A. Grissom of Indianola recently earned certification from the Board of Certification for Genealogists (BCG). Throughout the year-long effort, Grissom created a portfolio of research activities and reports according to BCG's exacting specifications. One of the required projects was a case study. Grissom used the Historical Society's Library & Archives in Des Moines for most of her primary resources. As Grissom plans to use her genealogical skills writing stories, she shared her excitement with Des Moines Library staff that an adaption of her case study was accepted for publication in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly.
 "This whole thing has been a wonderful learning experience," Grissom said. "The certification judges' comments validated and expanded my work with insightful tips while the Quarterly peer reviewers' suggestions were so positive and constructive that it was relatively easy to re-work a final draft of the article."
If interested in reading Grissom's article in the upcoming issue of the Quarterly (vol. 35, no. 4), come visit the Historical Library in Des Moines or check the periodical's Web site for ordering information,www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/ngsq. Both Iowa City and Des Moines Historical Libraries have holdings of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, but only the Des Moines facility has current issues.
Historians and genealogists can find many other magazines, newsletters, and journals in SHSI's two libraries. It's rewarding to browse through these treasures even if you aren't seeking certification or working to get published! Titles include genealogical periodicals such as Family Tree, Minnesota Genealogist, and Nebraska Ancestree as well as history oriented magazines such as Currents: News of the Utah State Historical Society, or Civil War Times. Iowa related magazines such as Wallace's Farmer, The Iowan, and Iowa GRIT are also part of serial holdings. Current issues of more than 50 periodicals grace the Des Moines and Iowa City Reading Rooms. Due to fiscal restraints for 2009-10 only subscriptions for mission specific titles are being continued. Reading Room hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (515) 281-6200 in Des Moines or (319) 335-3916 in Iowa City for more information.
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SHSI Awards HRDP, Country Schools Grants
Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge announced that $747,437 in grants are being awarded to 47 Iowa organizations and individuals for documentary collections, historic preservation, museum and country school projects.
The State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) awarded the grants through the Historical Resource Development Program (HRDP), which is funded by the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) passed by the Iowa General Assembly in 1989.
HRDP/REAP provides grants to preserve, conserve, interpret and educate the public about Iowa's historical resources, including one-room or two-room buildings once used as country schools in Iowa. The grant awards announced today include four Iowa Great Places projects and require recipients to supply matching funds.
Click here to see the lists of recipients.
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Silos & Smokestacks Interpretive Planning Grant Former Silos & Smokestacks Interpretive Planning Grant
Applications for the Interpretive Planning Grant Program are due by noon on Sept. 3, 2009. Planning funds may be used for professional assistance, consultants, contractors, design fees and mileage for assistance. Funds may also be used to support research, thematic writing, identification of images, preliminary design and layout of an exhibit, interpretive signage and more. Click here for more information.
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. Through the development of a network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA's mission is to interpret farm life, agribusiness and rural communities past and present.
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Iowa Marks 50th Anniversary of Khrushchev Visit; "Rarely Seen" Exhibit Includes Khrushchev Burka
A statewide commemoration of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's visit to Iowa 50 years ago will take place at the end of August.
Events begin Aug. 26, 2009 with the arrival of national, state and Russian leaders, including Nikita Khrushchev's son, Sergei Khrushchev. The delegation will tour Iowa State University's Bio-Century Research Farm Aug. 27. That night, Drake University in Des Moines will host "Khrushchev in Iowa," with featured speaker William Taubman, author of "Khrushchev: The Man and His Era."
After tours of Pioneer Hi-Bred on Aug. 28, a "Khrushchev in Iowa" conference will be held at Hotel Fort Des Moines. World hunger, agricultural progress, productivity and sustainability and citizen diplomacy in U.S.-Russia relations will be covered. Sergei Khrushchev will be among the officials speaking at a public banquet that night. The Agricultural Progress Festival will be Aug. 29 in Coon Rapids; and Iowa Sister States will host "Faces of Iowa: Russian Connections" Symposium and barbecue at Camp Dodge in Johnston.
 It was Sept. 23, 1959, when Khrushchev fulfilled his promise to Elizabeth Garst, wife of hybrid corn promoter and entrepreneur Roswell "Bob" Garst, and visited their Coon Rapids farm. It so happened to be at the height of the Cold War, but the visit helped open U.S. trade with the Soviet Union, resulting in huge exports of grain and equipment.
The State Historical Society has in its collection a burka given by Khrushchev to Garst during the visit. The burka is now on display in the "Rarely Seen: Cool Stuff From the Museum" exhibit at the State Historical Museum. The burka is a white sheepskin cape with red satin lining that flairs out from the shoulders.
Visit www.creatinggreatplaces.org to register and to purchase conference and banquet tickets. All other events are free and open to the public. Visit the Web site to view historical documents, photos and film, and leave personal memories of the visit or of later U.S./Soviet exchanges.
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Country School Preservation Conference Oct. 2-3
The 10th Annual Country School Preservation Conference will be Oct. 2-3, 2009, in Independence.
Activities throughout the two-day conference include discussion topics like "Country School Preservation in Norway" with Leidulf Mydland, Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research; "Creating a Country School Curriculum and Generating Visitors" with Dale Williams, Reed School Director, Wisconsin Historical Society; Amish Schools Today with Mark Dewalt, Winthrop University, South Carolina; "Tourism and Implications for Country Schools with Carrie Koelker, Eastern Iowa Tourism Director and Candy Streed, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area and more.
Also included are tours of Summit School, a public/private Amish school and country school museum.
Registration is $30 and includes lunch Friday, museum tours and handouts. An additional $15 for Saturday tour, lunch and wine tasting.
For brochure and more information, visit www.iowapreservation.org.
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This Place Matters
There's still time to add your photos to the This Place Matters Photo Contest and do your part to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to you. The contest is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Fireman's Fund Insurance.
Too often, these places can be lost in a heartbeat - sometimes even before we realize they will be missed. That's why This Place Matters will help people call attention to special places in their community before they are endangered.
Enter as many digital photos as you wish between now and Tuesday, September 15, 2009. Ten photos will be selected as finalists by a jury, after which a public online vote will determine the final winners.
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PHOTO NOTE: The fourth and fifth grade classes from stand with their teachers outside the Consolidated Rembrandt school in 1928. The school was built in the early 1900s. When Rembrandt Consolidated School graduated its last class in 1979, it was the smallest school in the entire state of Iowa.
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Sept. 5: National Register of Historic Places Workshop, Cantril. Registration is $35 and reservations are requested by Aug. 25. Click here for complete information.
Sept. 14: Historic Site Preservation Grant deadline.
Sept. 16: Historical Discovery Discussion, State Historical Building, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., 600 E. Locust, Des Moines. See related article for details.
Sept. 16: History for Lunch, State Historical Society of Iowa, 402 Iowa Ave., Iowa City, 12-1 p.m. University of Iowa graduate student Sarah J. Eikleberry will discuss her research about a Native American from Oklahoma who played football at UI in the late 1920s. He was a star player who passed as a white person due to his fair complexion.
Sept. 17-19: The Creative Gathering, Western Historic Trails Center, 3434 Richard Downing Ave., Council Bluffs. Music, literature and history take center stage during this annual event.
Sept. 17-18: Historic Preservation Workshop, Muscatine. See related article for details. |
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