HISTORY ON THE MOVE OVERVIEW & HIGHLIGHTS

If you can’t make it to the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines, why not let it come to you? The State Historical Society of Iowa’s mobile museum, known as “Iowa History 101,” travels the state’s highways and back roads to share stories from the past with Iowans in every corner of the state. Artifacts from the State Historical Society’s collection fill 300 square feet of a bright blue 38-foot Winnebago, custom-built at the factory in Forest City.

The idea for the “Iowa History 101” mobile museum emerged in 2014 from a series of community conversations that were organized across the state by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, which oversees the State Historical Society. Iowans who care deeply about history made it clear that they wanted new ways to access the State Historical Museum’s resources even if they couldn’t visit Des Moines in person. The vision for the mobile museum really shifted into gear when EMC Insurance Companies stepped up as a presenting sponsor, with additional support from Casey’s General Stores and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

The museum on wheels will visit all 99 Iowa counties over the course of three years, from 2017 through 2019, with stops at schools, libraries, local museums, community festivals, county fairs and other places where Iowans gather. Anyone who would like to request a visit can find the details online at iowaculture.gov, along with the updated schedule.

Now Showing: “Iowa History 101”

Iowans share a fascination with being Iowan. But what does it really mean to be Iowan? Who are the 3 million people who call Iowa home? How did we get here? And what have we achieved since Iowa became a state more than 170 years ago?

Find the answers in “Iowa History 101,” which explores the history of Iowans at home, work and play – and how that shapes who we are today. Like a visit to your grandparents’ attic, the exhibition unpacks the stories of Iowa’s past with nearly 50 artifacts from the State Historical Society’s collection. The display features a 1917 prototype of the state flag designed by Dixie Cornell Gebhardt of Knoxville, a battered hat from a coal miner in Marion County, an Olympic medal from sprinter Natasha Kaiser-Brown of Des Moines, and more.

As a bonus, Mike Wolfe, the creator and star of the hit television series “American Pickers,” lent his voice and video talents to the exhibition’s multimedia elements. A native of LeClaire, Wolfe has a longstanding interest in history and a knack for using artifacts to unlock its stories.

As it turns out, the traveling exhibition is actually just one of a trio of “Iowa History 101” shows. Visitors at the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines can find both a traditional museum exhibition, plus an interactive Hands- On History gallery designed especially for children. Together, these three exhibitions tell the bedrock stories about our state that every Iowans should know.

“Iowa History 101” Highlights

•• Inspect the hand-drawn eagle on the first state flag, which Dixie Gebhardt of Knoxville made in 1917. •• See the pen Gov. William Harding used to sign the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. •• Examine the basketball jersey Lynne Lorenzen wore during her glory days at Ventura High School. •• Admire the Des Moines sprinter Natasha Kaiser-Brown’s silver medal from the 1992 Olympics. •• Look at a patch from a spacesuit worn by astronaut Peggy Whitson of Beaconsfield.

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA | IOWA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS HISTORY ON THE MOVE SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow the traveling museum’s statewide journey on . . .

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The @IowaMuseum’s Iowa History 101 traveling museum will be making a stop right here in (location) on (date). Come check it out!

Stop by on (date) to see the @IowaMuseum’s Iowa History 101 traveling museum packed with artifacts and info about #IowaHistory!

#NotToBrag, but the @IowaMuseum’s Iowa History 101 traveling museum will be here on (date)! Stop by to learn all about #IowaHistory.

#NotToBrag, but we can’t wait to see the @IowaMuseum’s Iowa History 101 traveling museum when it gets here on (date)! #IowaHistory

Facebook Posts

#NotToBrag, but the @StateHistoricalSocietyofIowa’s “Iowa History 101” traveling museum will make its way to (location) on (date)! Stop by to see this custom-built Winnebago RV that shares the stories of Iowa’s past and showcases some of the artifacts from the museum’s collection.

If you can’t make it to the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines, why not let it come to you? The @ StateHistoricalSocietyofIowa’s “Iowa History 101” traveling museum will be here on (date)! The custom-built Winnebago shares the stories of Iowa’s past and showcases some of the artifacts from the museum’s collection.

We’re excited to welcome the @StateHistoricalSocietyofIowa’s “Iowa History 101” traveling museum to (location) on (date). Stop by to see the custom-built Winnebago which showcases artifacts and info about the stuff Iowans need to know about their state’s history. The exhibit also features video and commentary from @AmericanPickerMikeWolfe, creator and star of “American Pickers.”

If you can’t make it to the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines, why not let it come to you? That’s exactly what will happen this (date) when the @StateHistoricalSocietyofIowa’s “Iowa History 101” traveling museum will be here sharing the stories of Iowa’s past and showcasing some of the artifacts from the museum’s collection. Stop by (location) to check it out!

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA | IOWA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS