History on the Move

"The Fiery Trial: Iowa and the Civil War" - New traveling exhibit

History on the Move is an innovative program from the State Historical Society of Iowa featuring exciting mobile exhibits.

A new exhibit, “The Fiery Trial: Iowa and the Civil War,” hits the road in a 32-foot trailer and is part of the State Historical Museum’s educational outreach program to serve Iowans in their communities. The exhibit was unveiled April 12, 2011, in conjunction with activities commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.

Engaging Graphics and Multimedia

“The Fiery Trial” exhibit includes:

• A visual timeline of Iowa’s participation in the Civil War
• Panels about Iowans and their Civil War experiences
• Information about Annie Wittenmyer, a Sanitation Agent for Iowa who oversaw the needs of Union Army soldiers
• The impact of the Civil War on Iowa
• The role Iowa played in the Civil Rights movement when it approved the right to vote for African-Americans
• A computer program that allows visitors to research Civil War ancestors by person, town, township or congressional district

The Department of Cultural Affairs received generous support for “The Fiery Trial” from sponsors EMC Insurance Foundation of Des Moines, The Union Pacific Foundation, and Qwest.

“EMC Insurance Companies is celebrating 100 years in business in 2011,” says Bruce Kelley, EMC president and chief executive officer. “Being the presenting sponsor of History on the Move is a way we can commemorate the sacrifices Iowans made during the Civil War 150 years ago and recognize our company’s 100-year history.”

FAQ's

Q. Is a press release template and exhibit graphics/art/images available to the host venue/organization to design publicity materials for local use?

A. Yes, contact Jeff Morgan at jeff.morgan@iowa.gov or Sarah Oltrogge at sarah.oltrogge@iowa.gov to have a press release template and zip file graphics emailed to you.

Q. Is there an on-going cost?

A. No, the fee of $200.00 is a one time cost.

Q. Do we need a guide?

A. The exhibit is self-guided. We do recommend that someone be present to act as a host to visitors and as a security measure.

Q. What are the appropriate age levels for the exhibit?

A. The exhibit was designed for a “general audience” and is appropriate for all ages.

Q. What hours do we have to have the trailer open?

A. Each reservation site sets their own hours and we accommodate your needs by scheduling the arrival and departure time for the trailer driver. .

Q. Should we have a sign up sheet for visitors to the trailer?

A. We need to have a count of the number of visitors, adults and children, to the trailer. Each site can decide how they want to keep this count and email it to Sarah.Macht@iowa.gov after your event.

Booking Information

“The Fiery Trial” exhibit is available for bookings by contacting Sarah Macht, Museum Education Coordinator, at Sarah.Macht@iowa.gov or 515-242-5193. Bookings include a $50 reservation fee and a $150 travel expense fee.

Lesson Plans

Schools, libraries, museums and others that book the exhibit may enhance their History on the Move visit with Civil War study guides made available through the State Historical Society of Iowa’s Prairie Voices curriculum, SHSI’s Battle Flag program, and IPTV's Iowa Pathways website.

• The Fiery Trial Activity Sheet
• Prairie Voices: Iowa and the Civil War
• Iowa Battle Flags Study Companion
• Iowa Pathways: Iowa in the Civil War

Host venues also receive the books, “Profiles of Valor: Iowa’s Medal of Honor Recipients of the Civil War” by State Senator Dennis Black and “Outside In: African-American History in Iowa, 1838-2000,” published by the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Site Visit Information

Please consider the following when preparing for your History on the Move visit:

1. A flat area of at least eighty feet long in needed to park the trailer. The truck plus trailer is fifty feet in length.
2. A clearance of fifteen feet in front and behind the trailer is necessary for parking and for lowering the entrance ramp.
3. In order to park the trailer, twenty feet of turning space is needed.
4. Cars will not be able to be parked within twenty feet when the trailer is being parked. The trailer will not be able to clear a street where cars are parked on both sides or a narrow street where cars are parked on one side. Please advice the city to post no parking signs on the day the trailer is delivered and exists.
5. For extended stays the trailer may be disconnected from the truck. If the trailer is to stay overnight at a site we request that it be parked near a security light if possible.
6. If the trailer is parked overnight we request that the local police be notified and at least two drive bys be made.
7. A 20 amp outlet within 75 feet of the trailer is required.
8. We recommend a maximum of 10 to 15 visitors at any one time in the trailer.

Please remember that if either a driver for the truck is unavailable or the weather is bad we will cancel the visit.