Contact:
Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov, (515)
281-3858
(DES MOINES) – A
gallery walk of Lewis Carroll-inspired paintings, special Victorian History Hunter
tour, and creating children’s Victorian hats are among the activities visitors
to the State Historical Museum can enjoy during Discover Victorian Iowa Family
Day on November 12, 2005.
The activities are part
of the museum’s Discover Victorian Iowa exhibit, which also features
an interactive Victorian parlor where visitors can enjoy parlor games, children’s
literature, storytelling and more.
“This exhibit and
the activities involved with it offer a wonderful opportunity for families to
learn how their ancestors lived during the Victorian era of the 19th century,”
Department of Cultural Affairs Director Anita Walker said. “For today’s
younger generation, playing video games and watching television in the family
room are common evening and weekend activities. But children living during the
Victorian era did not have video games or televisions or family rooms. They had
parlor games and parlors. The activities we’ve been offering have been real
eye-openers for the kids that have come through the exhibit.”
In addition to the parlor
games, the museum is pleased to offer the paintings of Iowa artist Mary Kline-Misol,
whose work is inspired by the lifetime and written works of Lewis Carroll. Nearly
40 of her paintings are on display in conjunction with the exhibit, and she will
give a gallery walk about the extensive historical research she conducted on the
life of Lewis Carroll and Victorian history before painting her Alice
cycle.
Please contact Heather
King at (515) 281-8754 or heather.king@iowa.gov
for more information about Discover Victorian Iowa programming and activities.
Following is a list of events that will be held during Family Day on November
12, 2005:
Family Day
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Family Day activities will
center on exploring Victorian Customs and Etiquette.
· Victorian Parlor
Games and Children’s Literature – Different games from the Victorian
period can be played in the parlor area throughout the afternoon. Children will
be able to try on a hoop skirt, a vest, and learn to tie a bowtie; play games
like chess, checkers, nine pins, pick up sticks, Jacob’s ladder, and jacks.
Also available will be many of the children’s books that were popular in
the late 19th century.
· Des Moines Public
School District Art Display – Painted chess tables created by DMPS kids
through a summer workshop with artist Mary Kline-Misol will be on display in the
atrium.
· 10 a.m.: Gallery
Walk with Artist Mary Kline-Misol – Local Iowa Artist Mary Kline-Misol will
give a guided gallery walk for families. Learn how Kline-Misol researched the
topics of her images, from reading novels to visiting far away places! Gallery
walk begins in classrooms A/B with a short slide lecture, followed by a tour of
the gallery with the artist. $5 per person. Reservations suggested but not required.
Please contact Heather King at 515-281-8754 or heather.king@iowa.gov for more
information.
· 11 a.m.: Bonnie
and Donna from Historic Montauk present Victorian Etiquette and Customs –
Learn about Victorian life from two Victorian-costumed women! Proper salutations,
behaviors, and popular pastimes and customs will be explored during this interactive
presentation.
· Noon: Nina Givan,
Storyteller in the Parlor – Hear and watch popular fairytales and nursery
rhymes come to life in the parlor with a special performance by Nina Givan, a
local storyteller who will take on the persona of a Victorian Lady to tell these
great stories! Performance is free to the public.
· 1 p.m.: Hats,
Hats, Hats! – Create your very own Victorian hat and make sure to wear it
to the tea party! Workshop is limited to 30 kids and will cost $5 per person.
Local artist Mary Zirkelbach will be hosting the program. Contact Heather King
at 515-281-8754 or heather.king@iowa.gov for more information.
· 1:30 p.m.: Special
Vault Tour “Victorian Life” – This one and one-half hour-long
behind-the-scenes walking tour explores the museum’s “vault,”
and underground, climate-controlled storage facility that is home to more than
100,000 artifacts in the State Historical Society collection. This special tour
will focus primarily on the furniture, finery, pottery and china of the Victorian
age. These tours are limited to groups of 20; reservations are strongly encouraged.
Tickets are $20 for people ages 12 and older. Reservations can be made by calling
the Iowa Museum Store at 515-283-1757.
· 2 p.m.: Tea Time
– “Imagine yourself in Alice’s adventure during an interactive
theatrical reenactment of the Mad Hatter Tea!”
On November 19, 2005, the
museum will conclude its Discover Victorian Iowa programming with A Lady’s
Tea presented by Patricia Tice. This event is limited to 50 persons and is nearly
sold out. Tickets are $20 per person. RSVP is required by contacting Heather King
at 515-281-8754 or heather.king@iowa.gov. This event is sponsored in part by the
Tulip Tea Room of Pella.
The Discover Victorian
Iowa exhibit opened Oct. 1 and is scheduled to close November 27, 2005. The
State Historical Museum is located in the heart of Des Moines’ Historic
East Village at 600 E. Locust Street. The museum is open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, although there may
be a fee for special programming. Please call (515) 281-5111 or visit www.iowahistory.org
for more information.
The State Historical Museum
is part of the State Historical Society of Iowa, 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.
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