| Contact:
Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov,
(515) 281-3858
(DES
MOINES) –The State Historical Museum today announced
it is developing a new major project that will transform
9,000 square-feet of display space into an information
headquarters, media center and issues forum for the
Iowa Caucuses.
“Caucus Iowa,” scheduled to open in Fall
2007, will offer a first-hand look at Iowa’s
first-in-the-nation caucuses – how they work,
why they work, how they affect candidates and their
campaigns, and how they differ from every other step
to the White House. The project will also serve as
a caucus training headquarters for world-wide media
and provide an issues forum where campaign organizations,
presidential candidates and the public can host events,
deliver speeches and hold other activities.
“Iowa’s traditional first-in-the-nation
caucuses focus the eyes of the nation and world on
the state every four years,” said Anita Walker,
director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
“Intensive media scrutiny showcases all aspects
of Iowa life, promoting the state, its people and
resources in a manner that is unrivaled by any other
single event.
“This project will define and explain the caucus
method from a historical sense and create specific
environments to experience this unique political process
firsthand. It will be a rare opportunity to demystify
citizen-democracy at work and celebrate it as a viable
and necessary step in our presidential process.”
With its emphasis on technology and electronics,
the project will tell the story of the Iowa caucuses
– their rise to national significance in the
1970s, coffee shop campaigning, living room politics
and the impact severe winter weather, special interest
groups and the media have on them. The project will
also track the whereabouts of 2008 presidential candidates
as they campaign throughout the state.
“Iowans play a unique role in the nation’s
presidential election process,” Walker said.
“The Iowa Caucuses set the stage for the rest
of the nation by winnowing the field of candidates
for the White House. Historically, the caucuses offer
only three tickets out of Iowa, meaning candidates
have to finish in the top three to have any realistic
chance of continuing their campaigns. We believe this
project will help to secure Iowa’s first-in-the-nation
status, promote Iowa to national and international
audiences and, most importantly, showcase citizen-democracy
to increase participation in the caucus process.”
Museum staff is working with a Caucus Advisory Board
co-chaired by Gordon Fischer and Steve Roberts, both
of Des Moines. The advisory board also includes:
- Eric Branstad, Republican Party of Iowa
- Dennis Goldford, Drake University professor
- J Fink, Oskaloosa teacher
- James Flansburg, former political writer for The
Des Moines Register
- Jason Follett, SHSI Board Member
- Millie Frese, Marshalltown teacher
- Teri Goodmann, Dubuque democrat
- Wayne Haskovec, Hudson teacher
- Gary Overla, Perry teacher
- Matthew Schaefer, Hoover Museum, West Branch
- Steffan Schmidt, Iowa State University professor
- Peverill Squire, University of Iowa professor
- Tim Walch, SHSI Board Member
- Hugh Winebrenner, author of book on Iowa Caucuses
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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