Contact: Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov, (515) 281-3858

(DES MOINES) – The State Historical Building will offer a “barn raising experience” when museum staff and volunteers invite visitors to help construct a scale model of an historic Iowa barn as part of the Wells Fargo World Food Festival.

The barn raising will be held at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. in the State Historical Building’s atrium Saturday, October 15, 2005. Museum staff, volunteers and visitors will raise a one-quarter scale version of an historic Iowa barn, which has accurate scaled-down versions of the post and beam structure complete with mortise and tenon joinery secured by wooden pegs. The barn model stands about 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Visitors will participate in the barn raising as the sections are assembled and “lofted” into place.

The barn raising is being held in support of Governor Tom Vilsack’s proclamation of 2005 as the year of the Iowa Barn and Family Farm. The State Historical Museum has been presenting farming heritage events and exhibits during the past year. The model barn is being constructed by Pella, Iowa, barn restoration expert Bruce Willemsen of Barn Builders.

Other programs taking place during the day revolve around the Discover Victorian Iowa exhibit, including the Lewis Carroll Society of North America fall meeting, a film festival of historical Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, lectures by scholars on Lewis Carroll and illustrator John Tenniel, a panel discussion led by leading Carroll and Alice collectors, and a gallery walk with Iowa artist Mary Kline-Misol whose Lewis Carroll-inspired paintings are on display in conjunction with the exhibit. All events and activities are free and open to the public.

The State Historical Building, located at 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines, is open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 4:30 p.m. Please contact the State Historical Building at (515) 281-5111 for more information.

###

Return to What's New Section