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

(COUNCIL BLUFFS) – Edgar Harlan was curator of the Iowa Historical Department from 1908 until 1937, and developed a special relationship with the Meskwaki Tribe that led to the preservation of many artifacts.

State Curator Jerome Thompson will discuss and show images of those artifacts at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, at the Western Historical Trails Center, 3434 Richard Downing Avenue in Council Bluffs. The presentation is free and open to the public. Call 712-366-4900 for more information.

“Edgar Harlan’s relationship with the Meskwaki Tribe helped him pioneer an early form of diversity training for Des Moines elementary school teachers,” Thompson said. “So we’ll talk about the little-known story of the ‘Indian Life School’ in addition to discussing Meskwaki artifacts that are now part of the State Historical Museum’s permanent collection.”

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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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