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SHSI Calendar of Events
All events take place at the State Historical Museum, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines, unless otherwise indicated.
Irish Fest
March 18th 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Music, stories and ballads will bring to life the rich traditions of the Irish
during the time of the Civil War. Civil War Survivors: Battle Flags Tell Stories
from the Front, the newest exhibit at the State Historical Museum, will come
alive with history re-enactors, storytellers and musicians. Irish fare will be
available for lunch in Café Baratta’s. Foot-stomping Celtic music
will be provided by Knotwork, family friendly stories will be told in the Home
Front Parlor and sing-alongs will fill the day in celebration. Performances and
presentations will be ongoing throughout the day. Knotwork will perform from 1-2
p.m. Museum “vault” tours will also be available at 10:30 a.m. (general
vault tour) and 1:30 p.m. (Battle Flag Preservation Lab tour.)
Tall Tales
March 21-23, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Spend Spring Break with Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan and other great mythical heroes
as they come to life in a BIG way in this play of "Tall Tales." See
if you can decipher the story you heard and the one the playwright tells. Public
shows at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with workshops following performances at 11:15 a.m.
and 2:15 p.m. Children can create their own Iowa folk hero. Tickets are $5 per
person, plus an additional $5 per person for the workshops.
Historical Society Board Meeting
March 23, Cedar Rapids
Brucemore historic mansion, 2160 Linden Drive S.E., Cedar Rapids.
The Classics at Montauk
March 26, 2 p.m.
Clermont
Featuring Douglas Poppen, vocal director at North Fayette and acclaimed vocalist.
Call (563) 423-7173 for information on tickets.
Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel
April 7, 7 p.m.
The special production of this play will be a fundraiser for the Historical Society’s
Museum Theatre program. Tickets are $75 and $50 for gala event. Call (515) 281-4132.
Iowa Medal of Honor Heroes
Exhibit opens Tuesday, April 18 at the State Capitol
This multimedia display kiosk will feature the 108 individuals who have received
the nation's highest military award in recognition for the acts of courage and
self-sacrifice. A special opening day event is planned for 9:30 a.m. in the Capitol
rotunda. Call (515) 281-5111 for information.
National History Day in Iowa – Jr. Division
April 24
National History Day in Iowa – Sr. Division
May 1
National History Day in Iowa is a part of a national academic enrichment program
that promotes the study of history in the schools. Each year, approximately 500
students from across the state participate. Students are judged in the categories
of documentary, group performance, individual performance, exhibit and papers
based on a theme. Winners from the junior and senior divisions attend the Nationals
in Washington, D.C., in June.
National History Day Gala
May 12, 5:30-9 p.m.
Students selected as the winners from the state competitions will be invited to
display, re-enact and present their work at this special gala event and National
History Day in Iowa fundraiser.
