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March-April 2007 |
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In
This Issue · Famous Dinosaur
Expert To Visit State Historical Museum ·
Searching Success Destination ·
Donation Documents Des Moines’ Jewish
Community ·
Reel in Fun, Family and Trout at WHTC ·
SHSI History Lesson: Defining a Purpose ·
Adams County: Where Culture Meets Rural Iowa ·
Save the Date! “Preserving Today for Tomorrow” ·
National History Day District Competition
Underway ·
New Book Recounts Early Des Moines and Polk County
History ·
Welch Offers “Songs of the Civil War” ·
“Fishing for Fun” Exhibit Opens at Herbert Hoover
National Historic Site Other Links of Interest Become a Member of
the State Historical Society of Iowa Contact Us State Historical Society of Museum, Library, Archives, Museum Store, Café Baratta’s 600 E. Locust (515) 281-5111 State Historical Society of (319) 335-3916 |
Famous Dinosaur Expert To
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World-renowned
paleontologist Jack Horner spends his days digging up dinosaur bones,
writing books about dinosaurs, running a graduate school program at He’s one of
the world’s leading experts on dinosaurs and he will be at the |
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Horner will
present lectures, sign copies of his newest book (“Digging up Dinosaurs”
published by Far Country Press) and offer introductory comments prior to the
screening of “Jurassic Park,” for which he served as technical adviser
and was inspiration for the movie’s lead character, Dr. Alan Grant, played by
actor Sam Neill. “
Members-Only
Reception
Historical
Society members are invited to a free members-only reception March 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the
Hatching the Past exhibit prior to the lecture at 7 p.m. The receptions
provide an opportunity for members to meet Jack Horner, ask him questions or
have a photo taken with him. Tickets for the lecture are $8/members and
$10/nonmembers. Members attending the reception will receive VIP seating to
the public lecture, but must RSVP by March 29 by calling (515) 281-8823 to
reserve a seat. Memberships start at $50 and may be purchased in the Museum
Store or by calling (515) 281-8823.
March 31
Events
Horner will
present “Dinosaur Growth & Behavior” March
31 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hear Horner’s fascinating stories of
discovering the colonial nesting site of a new dinosaur species, the first
dinosaur eggs in the Western Hemisphere and how they settled questions of
whether some dinosaurs were social, built nests and cared for their young.
Tickets cost $8 members/$10 nonmembers and can be purchased at www.iowatix.com or in the Museum Store.
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Concluding
Horner’s visit to Des Moines, the State Historical Museum will present the
movie Jurassic Park March 31 at 4
p.m. Horner will provide the introduction to this movie by
explaining his role as the inspiration for the movie’s lead character, Dr.
Alan Grant and what it was like to work with director Steven Spielberg.
Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased at www.iowatix.com or at the door. |
Whether
searching for family roots, rooting through Civil War records or flipping
through rolls of microfilm, people from all over
“We have
recently retired to
In 2006, nearly
8,500 people came to the SHSI Library/Archives Reading Room in
We found that
people are interested in people. Researchers delved into materials for famous
Iowans like governors and other elected officials, Alexander C. Clarke, Annie
Wittenmyer, General Dodge, Edna Griffin, and sometimes searched groups of
people in military units, community groups, or ethnic/minority organizations.
Some people came to read their hometown
For whatever
reason, the staff goal was to be supportive to the patron’s request. Staff
provided access to materials and information in various formats while
maintaining the integrity of the SHSI collections. Reading room staff
(archives, library and special collections) often got caught up in the
“history detective” excitement, sharing in a patron’s joy of uncovering that
special fact or delivering collection items that brought on that “a-ha!”
moment.
That’s why Reading
Room staffers Susan Jellinger, Shari Stelling, Rosie Springer, Lee Hughes and
their volunteers hope even more people come visit the Reading Room in 2007 to
utilize the depth of materials available. Besides, everyone at the Reading
Room enjoys a history challenge!
The SHSI
Library Reading Room is located in the
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The Des
Moines Library of the State Historical Society of Iowa was recently the
very fortunate recipient of a wonderful donation from Joan Mannheimer,
widow of the late Robert Mannheimer, a Robert
Mannheimer was the son of Eugene Mannheimer, a prominent |
Rabbi
Mannheimer’s leadership, the Temple B’nai Jeshurun became one of the
Joan and Robert
Mannheimer always felt that these volumes belonged in the collections of the
State Historical Society of Iowa. After her husband’s death, Joan donated the
volumes to the Society’s
These books
recount the life of one of
The libraries
and special collections departments of the State Historical Society of Iowa
rely on donations such as this wonderful collection to help us carry out our
dual missions of collecting and preserving Iowa’s history and supporting and
stimulating the study of Iowa history. Our staff is available to talk with
anyone who feels they may have materials to help us achieve these core
missions of the State Historical Society of Iowa.
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Fun, family
and trout are scheduled for the last coldwater stocking this season. Come
and experience trout fishing while the weather is just right for you and
the fish to enjoy! |
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Seminars at
Hy-Vee will
serve hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, chips and drinks at both locations for a
small fee. Extra proceeds from the event will go to
The following excerpt originally appeared in “A Brief
History of The State Historical Society of Iowa, 1857-1907,” reprinted from
the Iowa Journal of History and Politics for April 1903 by the State
Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 1907. It was originally written
by Benjamin F. Shambaugh, who was superintendent of the State Historical
Society of
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“The officers
of the Society consisted of ‘a President, six Vice Presidents, a
Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, Librarian, and
eighteen Curators,’ who were chosen annually. Article seven of the
Constitution constituted the Curators ‘the Executive Department of this
Association’ with ‘full power to manage its affairs.’ In April 1869, a
series of ‘By-Laws’ was adopted, which, among other things, provided for
officers and monthly meetings of the Board of Curators, fixed the quorum
thereof, prescribed an |
order of
business, and named the standing committees.
“After the
lapse of nearly half a century, it is interesting to observe the aims and
functions of this Historical Society as indicated in chapter III of the
Constitution of 1857. This chapter, which is entitled ‘Object,’ reads as
follows: ‘The object of this Society shall be to collect, embody, arrange and
preserve in authentic form, a library of books, pamphlets, maps, charts,
manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary and other materials illustrative of
the history of Iowa; to rescue from oblivion the memory of its early pioneers;
to obtain and preserve narratives of their exploits, perils and hardy
adventures; to secure facts and statements relative to the history, genius,
progress or decay of our Indian tribes, to exhibit faithfully the
antiquities, and the past and present resources of the State; and to promote
the study of history by lectures, and diffuse and public information relating
to the description and history of Iowa.’”
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Proud of its
heritage and what it is today, Adams County still welcomes people from all
walks of life looking for a place to start something new. Perhaps one
of the county’s greatest treasures is the French Icarian Colony, the
longest-lived non-religious utopian society in the |
·
Corning
Opera House restoration work
·
Development
of the Johnny Carson Birthplace Society to purchase and restore the
birthplace
·
Creation
of the
·
Plans
for the beautification of Entryways/Sally’s Alley
As the
legislature ended its first funnel last week, all of the bills proposed by
the Department of Cultural Affairs are still active, reports Gordon
Hendrickson, legislative liaison. However, some bills the department was
watching died, while new appropriations bills were introduced. Funnel is when
bill need to be moved out of committee in order to remain in consideration.
Here’s a summary of some of the bills the Department of Cultural Affairs is
watching:
·
State
Historic Tax Credit Program (HF 360/SF 98)
·
Liveable
Communities (SF 29)
·
·
·
Cultural
and Entertainment District Incentives (HF 456)
·
State
Historian (HF 537) – this bill died at funnel
·
Great
Places Enterprise Zones (HSB 239) – this bill died at funnel
·
Zoo
Check Off (HF 170)
·
Supplemental
Appropriations (SF 403)
·
Economic
Development Appropriations Bill
·
Neighborhood
Districts (SSMIDs) (HF 558)
·
State
of
·
RIIF
Appropriations Bill (HSB 260)
·
Cultural
Diversity Grants (HF 695)
·
DCA
Interactive Web Site (HF 727)
·
Out-of-School
Arts Program (HF 728/SF 490)
·
Film
Promotion Incentives (HF 411)
·
Generations
To read these
bills in detail, visit www.legis.state.ia.us and click on “Track Legislation.”
The State
Historical Society of Iowa and Main Street Iowa will present “Preserving
Today for Tomorrow” June 14-15
in
·
Integrating
preservation into your community
·
Connecting
heritage sites for tourists
·
Structural
glass preservation and restoration
·
Historic
barn preservation
·
Surveying
historic resources
·
Developing
the next generation of preservationists
·
Financial
incentives for preservation
·
Assessing
and enhancing your historic house museum
·
Tours
of Waterloo’s recent preservation projects
For more
information, contact Jane Seaton at (515) 242-4756, jane.seaton@iowalifechanging.com or Paula Mohr, (515) 281-6826, paula.mohr@iowa.gov.
Student Art Show
Through March 21
Western Historic
Student
artwork will be on display as part of Youth Art Month. (712) 366-4900.
Spring
Break at the Museum
March
19-23
State
Historical Museum,
Discovery area
with hands-on activities from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. Learn about
An
Evening with Jack Horner
March
30, 7 p.m., $8/members, $10/nonmembers
State
Historical Museum,
One of
An
Evening with Jack Horner: Members-Only Reception
March
30, 6:30 p.m., free to members who attend 7 p.m. lecture
State
Historical Museum,
State Historical Society members are
invited to join us for a special reception in the “Hatching the Past” exhibit
with paleontologist Jack Horner prior to the public lecture and book signing.
See related article.
“Dinosaur
Growth and Behavior” by Jack Horner
March
31, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., $8/Members, $10/Nonmembers
State
Historical Museum,
Hear the fascinating stories by Jack
Horner, the premier researcher in the field of dinosaur growth research. See
related article.
Movies
at the Museum: “
March
31, 4 p.m., $5 on Iowatix.com or at the door
State
Historical Museum,
“Native
April
15, 2 p.m.
Western
Historic
Presentation and book signing by Robert J.
Miller who wrote “Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson,
Lewis & Clark, and Manifest Destiny.” Miller is on the faculty of the
Organ
Recital at Union Sunday School
Montauk,
Clermont
April
29, 2:30 p.m.
Recital presented by Sally Boie of
Hawkeye. Call (563) 423-7173.
National
History Day in
April
30
State
Historical Museum,
National
History Day in
May
7
State
Historical Museum,
“Quirky History of
May
20, 2 p.m.
Western
Historic
Presented by Dewey Brockmann, WHTC museum
guide and
Historic
Sites Open for Season
May
26
Montauk (Clermont), Matthew Edel
Blacksmith Shop (
National
History Day is an exciting academic-enrichment program that helps students
learn about historical issues, ideas, people and events. The year-long
academic adventure fosters students’ enthusiasm for learning and encourages
them to use primary, secondary, community and statewide resources on a
subject of their choice related to an annual theme. The theme for 2007 is
“Triumph & Tragedy in History.”
“Nearly every
year, we have more than 3,500 students competing in district competitions,
with about 500 to 600 of them moving on to
Working
individually or collaboratively in groups of two to five, students compete in
a variety of categories, including papers, Web sites, individual exhibits,
group exhibits, individual documentaries, group documentaries, individual
performances and group performances. Students in grades 6-8 compete in the
junior division while students in grades 9-12 compete in the senior division.
Students in grades 4 and 5 may participate in the noncompetitive Iowa Youth
Division.
The junior
division state finals are scheduled for April
30 and the senior division state finals will be May 7 at the
In addition,
NHD events in
The National
History Day in
Authors Barbara
Beving Long Henning and Patrice K. Beam offer a glimpse into the area’s early
beginnings, when pioneers and immigrants clamored to
Barbara Beving
Long Henning’s family has lived in
Patrice K. Beam
received her masters’ degree in history from
The retail
price of the book is $32.95, but only $12 if ordered by March 27. Visit www.amhistpress.com/des_moines.htm to order or call 800-550-5750, ext. 111
to take advantage of this special offer.
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If you attend
a Civil War reenactment event and see a tall fellow, straw hat shading his
eyes, with baggy pants and suspenders toting a guitar and banjo, chances
are you’ve run into Bob Welch. Welch
performs songs of the Civil War era, singing and accompanying himself on
guitar, banjo and mandolin. By combining storytelling with music, his songs
bring history to life. Welch’s program is presented in a format that
appeals to all ages and is available for schools, nursing homes, libraries,
museums, Civil War reenactments and special living history events. To learn
more about Welch’s “Songs of the Civil War” programs, contact him at Bob1863@aol.com or visit www.bobwelch1863.com. |
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The Herbert
Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch will host the new exhibit
“Fishing for Fun” through September 30. Featuring artifacts from the
collection of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, including
the former president’s rods, reels, flies, fishing licenses and photos, the
exhibit take a look at Also on
display is the “History of Fly Fishing,” a traveling exhibit on loan |
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from the