A symposium of historic preservation topics and award presentations will highlight May as National Historic Preservation Month.
Celebrate Community History Day will be Monday, May 19 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines. Created in 1995, this annual event recognizes Iowa’s varied and important historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 and a variety of awards presentations and workshops.
Registration is $18 per person by May 9; or $30 after May 9 and at the door. Each registration includes lunch and one workshop. The event is sponsored by the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance. Call (515) 281-5111 to register.
At the event, registration and a continental breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. with the Recognition and Awards Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. in the auditorium. A buffet lunch and individual awards will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the atrium. Workshops will follow in the afternoon from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
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Awards will be presented in the following categories: 2007 National Register of Historic Places, Outstanding Preservation Practices, Certified Local Government, Cultural and Entertainment Districts announcement, Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance’s Best of Preservation, National History Day Kids Count!, Benjamin F. Shambaugh, Mills-Noun and Loren Horton Community History Awards.
This year’s workshops are:
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The State Historical Society of Iowa is now accepting applications for the FY09 REAP/HRDP grant cycle.
Between the regular round last year and the special round for documentary collections early this year, the State Historical Society of Iowa awarded $626,194 in REAP/HRDP grants to 44 organizations across the state for historic preservation, museum and documentary collections projects.
The Historical Resource Development Program (HRDP) is funded by the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP), passed by the Iowa General Assembly in 1989.
Through REAP, local government units, various organizations and private individuals can receive funding for eligible projects. REAP/HRDP provides grants to preserve, conserve, interpret and educate the public about historical resources. REAP/HRDP grants require organizations to supply matching funds.
Projects funded in this grant cycle will begin July 1 and must be completed by Oct. 31, 2010. Projects are evaluated based on the significance of the historical resource; the proposed scope of work; the project’s impact on the local community; and the degree to which the budget is reasonable, appropriate to the project, complete and mathematically correct.
Visit www.iowahistory.org for new grant guidelines and application procedure or contact grants manager Kristen Vander Molen at (515) 281-4228.
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A new exhibit of Archives holdings in the Reading Room at the State Historical Building takes a page from Iowa’s sports history. In the years following the Civil War, pro and semi-pro teams were found in almost every town and city in Iowa. Drawing materials from the State Archives, Special Collections and Museum, the State Archives & Records Program takes a brief look at America’s favorite pastime.
Among the materials on display is a copy of Bob Feller’s birth certificate, official baseball card and autographed glove. The Hall of Fame pitcher was born and raised in Van Meter and played for the Cleveland Indians from 1936-1956.
Other items include Secretary of State Corporation Correspondence, photographs, a pair of 19th century rule books and an 1882 score book. This exhibit provides not only a brief glimpse at America’s favorite pastime, but also a glimpse at the variety of records contained in the State Archives and Special Collections holdings. Both genealogical and corporate records are found on display as well as photographs and manuscripts.
The State Historical Library Reading Room is located in the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call (515) 281-6200 for information.
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The State Historic Preservation Office has received a $45,300 Preserve America grant to support a project documenting Iowa’s historical connections to Hollywood and the movie industry.
The competitive matching grants fund Preserve America Communities, State Historic Preservation Offices and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices to support their preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education and historic preservation planning.
The SHPO project, “Hollywood in the Heartland,” is a multi-year, multi-phase project focusing primarily on properties built for or associated with the movies before 1970. The project is being conducted in partnership with the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance (IHPA), Main Street Iowa and the Iowa Tourism Office.
People with information about Iowans, movie houses and properties associated with the film industry are encouraged to visit www.iowahistory.org and click on “Historic Preservation” to fill out a survey form. Results will be available next year on IHPA’s Web site at www.iowapreservation.org. Contact SHPO’s Paula Mohr at paula.mohr@iowa.gov or 515-281-6826 for more information.
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The Iowa Historical Foundation has named Barbara Filer as executive director.
A Sioux City native, Filer comes to IHF after spending the last five years in special projects, fund development and consulting, including her work with the State Historical Museum’s “Caucus Iowa” exhibit and a National Arts Forum Series hosted by the Iowa Arts Council and sponsored by MetLife Foundation in 2007.
She was manager of the Pella Opera House (2002-2003), shareholder administrator for the chairman, chairman emeritus and CEO of Pella Corporation (1999-2002), and administrator for the Terrace Hill Commission (1988-1998), where she reorganized and restructured the Terrace Hill Foundation in the early 1990’s.
Filer’s first priorities are to work with foundation board members to develop new strategies for fund development and to organize a Gala slated for October 24, 2008 at the State Historical Society Building in Des Moines. In addition to her duties with the foundation, Filer is the Project Director for the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs’ Cultural Trust program which will assist arts, cultural and historical organizations with strategic planning and sustainability.
Filer and her husband, Tom, live in Johnston and have three adult children, Michael, Cody and Emily.
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Great care and consideration is given to the selection of a flag for display. The flag rotation schedule is made one year in advance to ensure that treatment can be completed and the event be precisely planned.
Why do we take such care in selecting and planning the flag rotations? The flag collection is part of the permanent collection that provides the physical documentation of this state’s people, events and experiences. The Battle Flag Project staff are respnsible for the care and exhibition of this collection. Before any flag is exhibited the Battle Flag Project staff must examine, document, execute treatment and document again.
Prior to exhibition either at the State Historical Society of Iowa or at the Capitol Building the flag is pulled from storage and brought to the conservation lab for basic physical and photographic documentation. This process provides the baseline condition of the flag. Part of the physical documentation includes looking at the fragility of fibers, fading of dyes, areas of loss, previous conservation treatments, battle damage and inherent vices. Adding to this information is the development of the environmental history of the flag. The environmental history helps to explain some of the current condition factors such as distortion due to prolonged display. All this information is detailed in the Examination Report and stored permanently within accession files.
Then the Battle Flag Project staff meets to evaluate the findings and make a recommendation for exhibition or not. If the recommendation is for exhibition a treatment proposal is made and the flag is added to the rotation schedule.
Previous conservation treatments obscure the field of most of the flag collection disrupting the overall aesthetics. The treatments also hide some condition problems. Only the careful, painstaking removal of these previous treatments reveal the true flag in all its detail. At this point the flag is re-evaluated and a treatment plan is developed.
Often the treatment plan calls for surface cleaning, removal of distortion (unless caused by inherent vice), easing of folds and creases, consolidation of paint fragments, alignment of fragments and detangling of fringe. This phase usually lasts 3 months.
Due to the fragile nature of the flag collection and its national importance passive mounts or compression mounts are utilized. These types of mounts place little to no stress on the flags fibers. Most flags require a consolidating underlay of stabiltex or complete encapsulation in stabiltex. Fragments and unstable areas of loss are secured with hand stitching. This phase usually lasts 3 to 6 months.
For some flags, the area of loss is in significant areas requiring a digital print simulation of the missing parts. This is applied to the mount to visually fill in areas of loss in the flag while not altering the flag itself. All treatments must be reversible.
A structure of support is created from an aluminum grid platform constructed by museum staff. The mount is then constructed of inert materials that will not hurt the flag. The mount is padded with Ethafoam, padded with polyester felt, and covered with muslin fabric. Once the mount is secured with either linen tape or cording & grommets, the flag is positioned on top of it and lies passively. The flag is then protected by a UV-4 filter plex cover.
The flag is then transported on a rolling table to a freight elevator that opens directly onto the exhibition floor. Great care is taken to ensure that all thresholds are non-jarring and that the pathway is clutter free. A guide person is assigned to oversee the move. The gallery is temporarily closed to the public during the installation phase.
Once installed, the mount enables visitors to examine it closely while protecting the flag. The flag itself is then monitored for light, temperature and humidity.
If the flag is transported to the Capitol Building for display the flag is soft packed. Soft packed means that the flag is wrapped in bubble wrap and secured with a box constructed of acid-free corrugated board. This creates a microclimate for the flag. It also provides for safe handling of the edges so the mount and flag are not disturbed. It is then loaded into a cube van for transportation. A team of 5 experienced staff are needed to oversee the movement. Capitol Police provide security during installation.
Once in the Capitol Building the flag is installed in the NE Capitol flag case. This case has been retrofitted with the appropriate environmental equipment and lighting to provide ideal exhibition conditions.
The whole process usually takes 6 months of dedicated work by the Battle Flag staff along with the assistance of installations and exhibits. The planning, examination, treatment proposals, documentation, stabilization and/or conservation treatment, and research are all important components promoting the long-term preservation and interpretation of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s Battle Flag collection.
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The University of Iowa Press is pleased to announce that Marvin Bergman’s Iowa History Reader is back in print!
The book contains essays by 17 of Iowa’s most accomplished historians. The essays focus on key elements of Iowa’s history, including Native American, agricultural, political, ethnic, cultural, and industrial themes.
By addressing topics in Iowa history that embrace broader historiographical issues in American history, such as the nature of Progressivism and Populism, the debate over whether women’s expanded roles in wartime carried over to postwar periods, and the place of quantification in history, the essayists contribute substantially to debates at the national level at the same time that they interpret Iowa’s distinctive culture.
This collection of well-written and accessible essays will engage any reader with a serious interest in Iowa history, and it is especially valuable for use in college or high school Iowa history courses.
Iowa History Reader is available for sale at bookstores or directly from the University of Iowa Press by phone at (800) 621-2736 on online at www.uiowapress.org.
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The Big Read: “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London
Various statewide events, April 18-May 28
Visit www.Iowahistory.org for complete schedule and details.
Living History Saturdays
April 19, 12-3 p.m., State Historical Building 600 E. Locust, Des Moines
Civil War re-enactors tell what life was like on the front.
National History Day – Junior Division
April 28, State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines
Students in grades 6-8 compete in an exciting academic enrichment program that helps them learn about historical issues, ideas, people and events around the theme “Conflict and Compromise in History.”
Movies at the Museum: “In the Mirror of Maya Deren”
May 1 at 7 p.m. & May 3 at 2 p.m., State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines
Stunning portrait of Maya Deren, the most important and innovative avant-garde filmmaker in the history of American cinema. Tickets are $5 at www.iowatix.com or at the door. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Food Bank of Iowa and receive $1 off.
National History Day – Senior Division
May 5, State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines
Students in grades 9-12 compete in an exciting academic enrichment program that helps them learn about historical issues, ideas, people and events around the theme “Conflict and Compromise in History.”
National Register Workshop
May 9, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Decorah
Understand what it means to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, how to research a historic property, and the procedures for nominating a property to the National Register. Workshop will be at the Vesterheim’s Amdal-Odland Heritage Center, 523 W. Water Street in Decorah. Registration: $35, plus $6.50 for lunch. Register at www.iowahistory.org.
Cultural Express Presents: Vietnamese Tet
May 10, 1-3 p.m., State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines
You’re invited to a celebration of the Vietnamese New Year, or “Tet.” For Vietnamese, TET marks the beginning of spring, a time for renewing friendships and visiting family members. Event includes food samplings, dragon dance and traditional cultural performances.
Youth Activity Day: Nature Hike
May 10, 2-3 p.m., Western Historic Trails Center, 3434 Richard Downing Ave., Council Bluffs
Check out natural history at the Western Historic Trails Center. Youth please wear long sleeves and long pants and bring sunscreen and bug spray.
For ages 8 and up. Call (71) 366-4900.
May Day History
May 11, 2-3 p.m., Western Historic Trails Center, 3434 Richard Downing Ave., Council Bluffs
WHTC staff will present the traditions and history of May Day, including the “how” and “why” it is celebrated today. For ages 10 and up. Call (712) 366-4900.
HRDP/REAP Grant Deadline
May 15
Visit www.iowahistory.org for new grant guidelines and application procedure or contact grants manager Kristen Vander Molen at (515) 281-4228.
National History Day in Iowa Gala
May 16, 5-9 p.m., State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines
National History Day students selected to represent Iowa at the national events in Washington, D.C., will showcase their work. Tickets are $18 per person and includes a light meal, beverages and dessert. RSVP by contacting Millie Frese at (515) 281-6860 or Millie.Frese@iowa.gov.
Celebrate Community History
May 19, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust
See related article.
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Day one included a presentation by Richard Reynolds about the historical approach to Memorial Union renovations currently underway. Following, the group took a walking tour on campus to the Farm House Museum, Morrill Hall, Carrie Chapman Catt Hall and other significant historical markers. In the evening, board members attended a lecture presentation by the Ames Historical Society on the 100th anniversary of the Great New York to Paris Auto Race which went through Ames.
The Board convened their regular meeting on day two at the Frederiksen Court Community Center.
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If you’re looking for a detailed look at women’s suffrage in 19th-century Iowa, check out the “Iowa” chapter in volume 3 of The History of Woman Suffrage (1886), edited by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Matilda Joslyn Gage.
The 26-page chapter offers a very detailed look at the movement in Iowa, with specific names, places, dates and actions taken. For example, the footnotes name the legislators who voted for or against various suffrage resolutions. Notably, Stanton, Anthony, and Gage gave the first names of women, even when they were married. Both Iowa City and Des Moines Historical libraries have the set of volumes.
Call (515) 281-6200 or (319) 335-3916 for more information.
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The Iowa Museum Association presents “Collections Care on Exhibit” May 29-30 at the Hearst Center for the Arts in Cedar Falls.
The two-day workshop answer questions like “what are best practices in mounting artifacts for exhibition?” and “what are good ways to build archival storage boxes, clothing forms and hangers for care of historic garments?” Participants will have a chance to put what they learn to practice with hands-on activities.
Historical Society Conservator Pete Sixbey and State Curator Jerome Thompson are among the workshop presenters.
Cost for the workshop is $75 for IMA members, $95 for non-members. Attendance is limited so only two people from a single organization will be accepted. Early registration is encouraged.
To register or for more information, visit www.iowamuseums.org and click on “Event Listings.” Additional workshops will be held at the Family Museum in Bettendorf Aug. 25-26, at the Danish Immigrant Museum and the Lake Art Center in 2009.
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Archives, libraries, museums and historic preservation organizations across America will set aside May 1 to participate in MayDay, a national effort to protect collections from disasters. The Heritage Emergency National Task Force provides a wealth of information and resources for historical organizations.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is now accepting applications for its “Connecting to Collections Bookshelf,” a core set of books, DVDs, online resources and an annotated bibliography that are essential to the care of collections. Two thousand copies will be distributed. Priority is given to small institutions. No matching requirements. Visit the American Association for State and Local History Web site for application and more information.
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The 2008 South Dakota State Historical Society Annual History Conference will be held May 2-3 in Rapid City at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center.
The Society’s Archaeological Research Center (ARC) in Rapid City has planned and is hosting the conference. This year’s theme is “Empires on the Plains: The Fur Trade.”
The keynote address will be given by Dr. Brad Tennant, an assistant professor of history at Presentation College in Aberdeen. He has published numerous journal articles on Great Plains history, many specifically focused on the fur trade and the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 2007, Dr. Tennant was appointed by Gov. Mike Rounds to the South Dakota State Historical Society Board of Trustees.
Online registration is available. For further information, visit the SDSHS Web site at www.sdhistory.org and click on “History Conference, 2008,” or call the Archaeological Research Center at (605) 394-1936.
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The American Association of State and Local History (AASLH) is proud to partner, once again, with The History Channel on the Save Our History Grant Program, an initiative that focuses on preserving local history.
The History Channel will again award grants of up to $10,000 to fund partnerships between history organizations and schools or youth groups on projects that teach students about their local history and actively engage them in its preservation.
Applications are due June 6. Visit The History Channel Web site for complete guidelines, requirements and applications.
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The National Park Service in partnership with the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services is seeking applicants for its Save America’s Treasures 2008 grant program. Save America’s Treasures makes critical investments in the preservation of our nation’s most significant cultural treasures. Grants are awarded for preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts and nationally significant historic structures and sites. Grant amounts range from $25,000 to $700,000 to conserve collections and from $125,000 to $700,000 for historic property and sites projects. All the awards must be matched 1:1.
The deadline for applications is Tuesday, May 20. Complete guidelines, applications and information, as well as a database of previous Save America Treasure’s awardees, can be found on the National Park Service Web site. For general information contact Kimber Craine at the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities or call (202) 682-5661.