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June-July 2007 |
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In
This Issue · “Shades of
Greatness” Opens at Historical Museum June 24 ·
Historical Society Announces REAP/HRDP
Grant Awards ·
Two Iowa Students Win First Place at National
History Day ·
History’s Cool at the Museum School! ·
Meskwaki Exhibit in Tama Honors Code Talkers ·
New Book Explores Life of Meredith Willson &
50 Years of “The Music Man” ·
Meskwaki CD Project Earns AASLH Award of Merit ·
American Gothic Visitor’s Center Open to
Public
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 |
“Shades of Greatness” Opens at Historical Museum June 24
4-7 p.m. Celebration of Baseball at
Historical Museum SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – JUNE 24 4 p.m. Activities in Atrium: Wells Blue Bunny ice cream Burger King apple pie Speed-pitching machine Face painting Miniature Golf Field of Dreams Ghost Player(s) Living History Farms 1875 Baseball Game Player(s) Ken Burns “Baseball” episode about Negro leagues – 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. 5 p.m. Ribbon-cutting and official opening with welcome by Cyndi Pederson, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs On July 14, a program featuring a documentary by Thomas Ritchie about the Sioux City Ghosts (an African-American softball team) with a video and presentation. Additional details to be announced. Visit www.iowahistory.org for programming details. The State Historical Society
of Iowa has awarded $504,895 in 2008 REAP/HRDP grants to 30 organizations
across the state for historic preservation, museum and documentary
collections projects. The REAP/Historical Resource
Development Program 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 resources. The grant awards
require organizations to supply matching funds. At the same time, the
Historical Society announced the awards for its 2008 HRDP/Country School
Grant program. This program focuses on the preservation of one-room or
two-room buildings once used as country schools in For a complete listing of
grant awards and funded project descriptions, visit www.iowahistory.org. Caitlin Hillyard and Amelia Browning of Sixteen other Forty-five students represented “Twenty-two of the 45 students representing Hillyard and Browning took home the gold medal and a $1,000 prize for their group performance “Something Good, Something Sad: The Legend of the Cherry Sisters,” which examined the role the infamous Iowa performers played in legal history by setting a precedence for libel and helping to secure freedom of the press. Hillyard and Browning were drawn to the topic for its comedic elements and became hooked when they uncovered its lasting impact on legal and journalistic history. Matthew Wolf of Other Annie Kjar and Jesa Wolthuizen of Akron-Westfield Community School, Akron placed fifth and won the Senior Division Outstanding State Award for their senior group performance “Triumph Over the Troubles: Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan, Bringing Peace to a Country Lost in Tragedy.” Their teachers are Valorie Philips and Colleen Westergard. Dianne Ferry of North Scott High School, Eldridge
placed sixth for her senior historical paper “ ‘We Lead Others Follow:’ Rachel Meredith of LeMars Middle School placed sixth and won the “Outstanding Military History award” sponsored by the Historical Miniature Gaming Society for her junior individual exhibit “Flying High and Clipped Wings: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Women Airforce Service Pilots.” Her teacher is Jeanne Rust. Justine Jackovich of North Scott High School, Eldridge placed seventh for her senior individual exhibit “Billie Holiday: Triumphing Over Social Tragedies by Singing the Blues.” Her teacher is Chris Green. Max Hawkins and Jane Hommerding of Central Academy, Des Moines placed seventh for their senior group documentary “Reinhard Heydrich: Assassination.” Their teacher is Tom Forsgren. Jessica Salpor of Pella Middle School placed seventh for her junior individual exhibit “WASP: Flying to Help.” Her teacher is Jan Van Hemert. Katherine Tindall of Akron-Westfield Community School, Akron placed ninth for her junior individual performance in “‘Deterred but not Defeated:’ The Duluth Tragedy and Triumph Over Racial Hatred.” Her teachers are Valorie Philips and Colleen Westergard. Brianne Hassman and Sara Blagg, home schooled students from Marshalltown, placed 12th and won the Junior Division Outstanding State Award for their junior group exhibit “NUNNA DAUL TSUNY The Trail of Tears: Tragedy and Triumph of the Cherokee Nation.” Their teachers are Karen Hassman and Diane Blagg. Jaclyn Smith, Jayde Ostermyer, Emily Miller, Katlyn Mace, and Haley Coyle of Akron-Westfield Community School placed 13th with their group performance “Poster Children, Marching Mothers, and Polio Pioneers: A Tragic Disease and a Nation’s Triumph.” Their teachers are Valorie Philips and Colleen Westergard. Beau Dexter and Gabriella Green of North Scott High School, Eldridge won the History in the Federal Government Award sponsored by The Society for History in the Federal Government for their senior group documentary entitled “Herbert Hoover and the Triumph of Emergency Management in a Tragedy: The 1927 Mississippi River Flood.”
or by calling (515) 281-3809. The “There has been a discussion for years about the need for a preschool in this area,” DCA Director Cyndi Pederson said. “With arts, culture and history at the core of our mission, we believe we are in a strong position to offer a high quality program in a stable and nurturing environment that promotes the intellectual, emotional, social and physical development of children.” The “We expect a strong response from families looking for a quality preschool program that focuses on arts, culture and history,” Pederson said. “Our space will be limited, so I encourage parents with interest in this program to contact us as soon as possible.” Meskwaki code talkers in World War II are honored in a
traveling exhibit created by the The Meskwaki code talkers, with their special language
skills, were assigned to the 168th Infantry, 34th Red Bull Division. The
Comanche and the Meskwaki were probably among the first to be trained as code
talkers, although more than a dozen tribes were involved. The exhibit honors
all Native American code talkers in the
American languages—predate
American entry into the war and even the use of native speakers of the Navajo
language, who are more commonly celebrated as World War II code talkers. An article about the Meskwaki code talkers appeared in Iowa
Heritage Illustrated, published by the State Historical Society of Iowa,
in Winter 2003. Robin Roberts of the Meskwaki Nation has worked with American Indian Code Talkers was produced by the
Smithsonian’s
Willson – America’s Music Man by author Bill Oates. Oates’ knowledge
of Old Time Radio and his love of playing in a band created his desire to
write a comprehensive biography of Meredith Willson. After visiting “Fifty years after its debut, The Music Man continues to captivate audiences with its catchy tunes and timeless story,” Oates said. “The book explores Willson’s life as he created his masterpiece and weaves the tale of a local boy who became an international success but never forgot his hometown.” The book is available for purchase at Prairie Lights
Bookstore in Meskwaki History, an interactive CD-ROM created by the State Historical Society of Iowa in collaboration with tribal historians, has received the American Association of State and Local History (AASLH) 2007 Award of Merit. The Award of Merit is presented to recognize excellence for projects (including special projects, educational programs, exhibits, publications, restoration projects, etc.), individual achievement, and organizational general excellence. Released in August, 2006, Meskwaki History includes photographs, audio clips, movies, documents, maps and artifacts from SHSI collections and the Meskwaki Nation. As a learning tool the CD-ROM promotes greater awareness and celebration of tribal heritage while creating a better understanding of the contributions of the Meskwaki. AASLH recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the
collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history. The
American Association for State and Local History conducts its Annual Awards
Program, now known as the Leadership in History Awards, to establish and
encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation
of state, and local history throughout The CD-ROMS cost $19.95 and are available at SHSI’s The American Gothic Visitor’s Center is now open to the public after a dedication ceremony and celebration June 9 during Gothic Days in Eldon. The Visitor’s Center is open June-August: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday-Monday, 1-4 p.m.; September-May, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Admission is free. Call (641) 652-3352 or e-mail aghc@iowatelecom.net for information. Handcart Company, WHTC 10th
Anniversary June 23,
Western Historic 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Horse- and mule-drawn covered wagons and handcarts, educational presentations, pioneer games and journal writing or try pulling your own handcart. Free. Call (712) 366-4900 or visit the WHTC Web site. Fridays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. through August 3 State
Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, The
weekly outdoor event on the Drive Away Hunger: A Fundraiser for the
Food Bank of June 21,
4:30-7:30 p.m., State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Sponsored
by the Department of Cultural Affairs. Try Rod & Roy’s Mini Par, an 18
hole golf course inside the Shades of Greatness Exhibit Opening June 24,
4-7 p.m., State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, 4 p.m. Activities in Atrium: Wells Blue Bunny ice cream Burger King apple pie Speed-pitching machine Face painting Miniature Golf Field of Dreams Ghost Player(s) Living History Farms 1875 Baseball Game Player(s) Ken Burns “Baseball” episode about Negro leagues – 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. 5 p.m. Ribbon-cutting and official opening with welcome by Cyndi Pederson, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Friday Fest Fridays, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. State
Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, June 22: Taking Care of Pets; July 13: All About Insects; July 20: All About Reptiles & Amphibians; Aug. 3: All About Birds Aug. 10: All About Mammals. Programs presented by Polk County Conservation. Classrooms open for free crafts and games during each event. Old Fashioned Independence Day
Celebration July 3,
Western Historic 6:30 p.m. - ? Watch the fireworks! Kid’s games and prizes, pie baking contest, food and entertainment. Pre-purchase tickets $5 per carload, or $10 per carload night of the event. Call (712) 366-4900 or visit the WHTC Web site. “Shades of Greatness” & July 14,
State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Featuring a documentary by Thomas Ritchie about the Sioux City Ghosts (an African-American softball team) with a video and presentation. Additional details to be announced. White Catfish Camp 2007 July
21-22, Western Historic Educational presentations on Lewis & Clark, children’s activities, shopping, hiking, re-enactors and Native American food. Call (712) 366-4900 or visit the WHTC Web site 10th Anniversary Event Featuring Gregory
M. Franzwa Aug. 12,
Western Historic Author of “The Mormon Trail Revisited” will give a presentation at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Call (712) 366-4900. |
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