State Historical Society of Iowa Press Release

"General Ulysses S. Grant" visits State Historical Museum Wednesday

Civil War exhibits, Ballt Flag conservation lab open for tours

DES MOINES – The U.S. Civil War takes center stage next week when the Des Moines Civil War Round Table presents Judge Harry Bulkeley as General Ulysses S. Grant at the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines.

Bulkeley’s program, “An Evening with Ulysses Grant,” will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at the State Historical Museum, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines. The program is free and open to the public. Contact John Liepa at 515-961-8539 for more information.

Bulkeley, a retired judge and Civil War historian, will perform as Grant in his one-man show, which opens with Grant writing his memoirs shortly before his death and tells his life story from his boyhood in Ohio through his public career.

Bulkeley has previously appeared as General Grant in the PBS production, “The American Experience: Ulysses Grant, Warrior President;” portrayed Grant in the History Channel’s presentation of Sherman’s March; and appeared in the National Park Service film for the Shiloh National Military Park Visitor Center.

As part of the evening’s activities, attendees can visit the following State Historical Museum exhibits:

“Iowa and the Civil War: Nothing But Victory” – This exhibit features more than 300 authentic artifacts and documents that tell the stories of Iowa and those who served during America’s bloodiest conflict. The 10,000 square-foot exhibition recounts the first-hand experiences of Iowans at war and the communities that supported them, and showcases historic battle flags and the actual weaponry – cannons, guns and swords – used in some of the most important events and turning points of the Civil War. More than 10,000 people have visited the exhibit since it opened April 14, 2012.

“The Fiery Trial: Iowa and the Civil War” – This exhibit is housed in a 32-foot trailer and is part of the State Historical Museum’s educational outreach program, “History on the Move,” that serves Iowans in their communities. The exhibit contains engaging graphics and multimedia presentations that chronicle Iowa’s connections the U.S. Civil War. With the generous support of EMC Insurance Foundation of Des Moines and Union Pacific Foundation, “The Fiery Trial” has served more than 35,000 Iowans. Call 515-281-5111 for more information.

 

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The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state’s interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions: the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the General Assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.