| Contact:
Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov,
(515) 281-3858
(DES
MOINES) – People looking for a unique
shopping experience and fun family events are invited
to the Western Historic Trails Center for “Holidays
on the Trail.”
Frontier music, children’s activities and refreshments
will be offered in addition to special discounts in
the Trails West Gift Shop 9 a.m.-5 p.m. December 2-3.
The event is free and open to the public. The Western
Historic Trails Center and Trails West Gift shop are
at 3434 Richard Downing Avenue, just south of Interstate
80 at the 24th Street exit.
For settlers on the frontier, holidays were a time
to celebrate and feast. Given a lack of lavish offerings,
homesteaders worked for weeks in advance to prepare
simple gifts for each other. Improvised toys and homemade
dolls were favorites.
In that spirit, a number of special activities will
be highlighted during the event – meet Santa
2-4 p.m. Dec. 2 and listen to author Michael Tate
at 2 p.m. Dec. 3 as he discusses and signs his book
Indians and Emigrants: Encounters on the Overland
Trails.
Call the Western Historic Trails Center at 712-366-4900
for more information. All events are free unless otherwise
noted. The WHTC gift shop will offer free holiday
gift wrapping with purchases. Please visit www.iowahistory.org
or call 712-366-4900 for more information.
In addition, the following event is on the WHTC schedule
of events for December:
December 4, 2006
6 p.m.
“Holiday Concert”
Bluffs Art Council and WHTC present a Holiday Concert
with “Men of Grace.” Two shows at 6:30
p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served before
and after the concert, and the Trails West Gift Shop
will be open.
The State Historical Society of Iowa 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. Please visit www.iowahistory.org
or call 515-281-5111 for more information.
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