State Historical Society of Iowa Press Release

Historical Museum program marks history of transportation July 17

Horse-drawn carriages, mounted police, sprint cars, music and more

(DES MOINES) – The State Historical Museum explores the history of transportation this month with horse-drawn carriage rides, mounted police, model wagons, sprint cars, music and more.

“Wheels of Time” will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 17, 2010, at the State Historical Museum, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines. Free and open to the public, the program is being offered in conjunction with “Going Places,” a traveling exhibit supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities that explores society’s transition from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles. “Going Places” is on display through Aug. 11, 2010.

“This event features everything from horse-drawn carriages of the past to the high-performance technology of today,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Cyndi Pederson said. “It is a wonderful opportunity for families to have a fun-filled experience while learning about the past.”

The “Wheels of Time” schedule follows:

10 a.m.

• Power Point presentation by Larry Ball, Jr., about Sprint Car Racing in Iowa.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Horse-drawn carriage rides to the Capitol Building and back. Drawn by Horseflowers from Zearing, Iowa – a four-horse hitch-and-wagon for eight.
• Des Moines Mounted Police. Des Moines police officers will talk about their unit and caring for horses.
• Wagon models in the Heritage A classroom. Children will assemble wooden models of covered wagons.
• Games, puzzles and treasure hunts for children in museum areas.
• Horse puppet workshop in Heritage Classroom B. Children will make-and-take horse puppets.

10:30 a.m.

• Guided tours of “Going Places’ and “Art in Daily Life” museum exhibits by Chief Curator/Museum Director Michael Smith.

11 a.m.-Noon

• Flying Pig Fiddle and Banjo Band barn dances.

11:30 a.m.

• Docent tours of “You Gotta Know the Territory” and “Delicate Balance” museum exhibits.

12:15-1 p.m.

• Flying Pig Fiddle and Banjo Band: Old Fashioned Dancing Cake Walk.

12:30 a.m.

• Guided tours of “Going Places’ and “Art in Daily Life” museum exhibits by Chief Curator/Museum Director Michael Smith.

1 p.m.

• Docent tours of “You Gotta Know the Territory” and “Delicate Balance” museum exhibits.
• Power Point presentation by Larry Ball, Jr., about Sprint Car Racing in Iowa.

“Going Places” is a NEH traveling exhibit that examines society’s transition from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles, and explores the culture, evolution and eventual demise of horse-drawn transportation.

The exhibit features diverse artifacts – including a full-sized carriage, children’s carriages, and assorted harnesses and tack – that speak about society’s desire for travel, speed and new technology.

 “Going Places” was curated by William F. Ayres, director of collections and interpretation at the Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages. The exhibition has been made possible by NEH on the Road, a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is toured by Mid-America Arts Alliance. Founded in 1972, Mid-America is a nonprofit regional arts organization based in Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit www.maaa.org and www.nehontheroad.org.

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The State Historical Society of Iowa is a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and is a trustee of Iowa's historical legacy and an advocate for understanding Iowa's past. It identifies, records, collects, preserves, manages and provides access to Iowa's historical resources. Its dual mission of preservation and education serves Iowans of all ages, conducts and stimulates research, disseminates information, and encourages and supports historical preservation and education efforts of others throughout the state. Visit www.iowahistory.org or call 515-281-5111 for more information.

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