| Contact:
Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov,
(515) 281-3858
(DES
MOINES) – An educational kiosk about
Iowa’s involvement in the Civil War and the
Iowa Battle Flag project goes on display today in
the State Capitol Rotunda.
The kiosk, which can be used interactively with classroom
lesson plans and presentations, will be in the Rotunda
for one week before becoming available to schools,
libraries, businesses and other groups later this
month. The kiosk can be reserved by contacting Sheila
Hanke at 515-281-8304 or at sheila.hanke@iowa.gov.
“The kiosk offers a brief overview of Iowa
in the Civil War, statistics, and the history of Iowa’s
battle flags at the State Capitol and their subsequent
removal for stabilization and conservation,”
said Hanke, who is a conservator and collections manager
for the State Historical Society of Iowa’s Iowa
Battle Flag Project. “We’re very pleased
to make this project available to teachers, educators
and others who are interested in sharing Iowa’s
rich history.”
Iowa’s historic battle flag collection includes
317 flags borne by Iowa regiments and batteries during
the Civil War, Spanish America War and World War I,
the vast majority of which were last seen by the public
in the 1890s. Since then, sunlight, smoke, and heavy
gauze used to support each flag has caused damage,
some of it severe. State Historical Society conservators
may work up to 240 hours on a flag, with an average
cost of $4,800 for materials to stabilize a single
flag.
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. Visit www.iowahistory.org
or call 515-281-5111 for more information.
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