Spring/Summer 2015 • Vol. 2, Issue 8 25 years of Saturday in the Park featured n honor of the 25th year of Sioux City’s premier summer music festi- Ival, the Sioux City Public Museum will showcase a new exhibit, Saturday in the Park: Rockin’ for 25 Years.

Among the exhibit highlights are a full run of event posters (many of them autographed by the performers), two original paintings by Sioux City artist Mark Kochen (one of which was the basis for the 2010 poster), a 20th An- niversary quilt made out of Saturday in the Park T-Shirts, dozens of photo- graphs of the performers and a wide range of memorabilia. Video/audio

Examples of the wide range of memorabilia to be showcased in the Saturday in clips of several performances will also the Park: Rockin’ for 25 Years exhibit opening on June 13. be featured. Restoration of Peirce Mansion celebrated our years of restoration efforts While the Peirce Man- Before sion served as the site were celebrated at an open for the Sioux City Public house on April 12 at the Peirce Museum, the walls of the F ballroom were covered Mansion. Volunteers have painstak- with panels that shielded ingly transformed the Victorian-era the original fireplace and windows. Today, the mansion to a period home after the ballroom is available for Sioux City Public Museum moved to a dances and parties. new facility in downtown Sioux City in April 2011. The servants’ quarters was the final area to be restored. After The Peirce Mansion hosts open house events on a near quarterly basis to showcase the progress of restoration efforts to the public. The next opportunity for the public to tour the Mansion will be Saturday, July 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of Sioux City’s RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) festivities. See page 4 for more about the Peirce Mansion. Photographs by Deanna Daniels

The Sioux City Public Museum collects, preserves, and interprets cultural and social history with an emphasis on Sioux City and the region.

GRAND OPENING

Experience the history of Sioux City like never before! You are invited to celebrate the grand opening of the new Sioux City Public Museum. Explore state-of-the-art interactive displays, engaging permanent exhibits, rare Sioux City artifacts and so much more. Please join us on this history-making day as we present ÒOur New MuseumÓ to the community.

WHO: Sioux City Public Museum WHAT: Grand Opening Ceremony & Ribbon Cutting WHEN: Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. WHERE: 607 4th Street Director’s Report by Steve Hansen pring Greetings and in mind at all of our sites. Speaking of our collections, what a great spring Summer will see the Annual part of our mission is the col- we are having at the Bill Diamond Classic and lection and preservation of sites of the Sioux City Antique Car Show and the Sioux City and regional his- SPublic Museum. We have Lewis and Clark Encamp- tory and we are always on more tour groups than ever, ment on the riverfront at the the hunt for treasures that will a wider range of program of- complement our collections ferings and an exciting sum- Keep us in mind because and exhibits. It is very possible mer full of events planned for what you think is “stuff” you or someone you know all ages! As you read through we may think of as have Sioux City history in the our recent news I am sure valuable history! house or garage and it is just you will find something of one step from going to the interest and hopefully it will Sgt. Floyd Welcome Center. dump or elsewhere. Keep us spark your desire to visit us The Peirce Mansion already in mind because what you this summer. has dozens of events booked think is “stuff” we may think of and we will offer education as valuable history! As we prepare for our 5th programs there also. Look for year at the new downtown new additions to our perma- Thank you for your support as site, I look forward to the nent gallery and announce- we continue to make history great ideas for activities that ments of stunning additions every day! our staff and volunteers have to our collection!

Volunteer Spotlight Joan Johnson hen asked what she expedition. Joan was one of likes about volunteer- 44 participants in 2003 who Wing at the Sergeant received extensive training Floyd River Museum & Wel- about the local events that come Center, Joan Johnson were an integral part of the said, “It’s so amazing to know Lewis and Clark expedition. that people from all over the They also learned about the world stop here; they are so general history of the area interesting to visit with.” and the Loess Hills as well as information about other local After retirement, Joan participated in the A native western Iowan, tourist sites. After the initial Siouxland Discovery Corps program and became a Welcome Center volunteer Joan worked for Cloverleaf year-long training, members in 2003. She later earned her Iowa Travel Cold Storage then the Iowa of the Siouxland Discovery Counselor Certification. Department of Transporta- Corps received ongoing “Joan works extra shifts, she tion until 2002. After her re- training with periodic meet- shares her wonderful food for tirement, Joan joined the ings and educational pro- events, and she is just a joy to Siouxland Discovery Corps. grams through the end of the be around.” Created by the Sioux City commemoration in 2006. Public Museum and the Ju- In her free time, Joan enjoys nior League of Sioux City, the The training paid off. “Her ser- the different activities the program trained a group of vice has been priceless,” said community has to offer in- potential volunteers to lead Kathy Meisner, Welcome cluding the Sioux City Explor- activities in commemora- Center Supervisor. As Meisner ers, Orpheum Theatre, and tion of the Lewis and Clark enthusiastically explained, Tyson Event Center concerts. Museum meets endowment challenge grant goal hanks to the support of The Museum’s Education/ more than 100 donors, Exhibit Endowment Fund was Tthe Sioux City Public established within the Sioux- Museum met the Gilchrist land Community Founda- Endowment Challenge in tion to give donors a simple December. The grant was a and efficient way to support dollar-for-dollar match of up the Museum and provide a to $40,000. Gifts ranged in source of lasting revenue. size from $10 to $20,000. Now that the Museum’s capi- Although the challenge grant is over, Iowa tal campaign is nearly com- residents may still receive tax credits for “Endowment dollars are of- plete, efforts have turned to Museum endowment donations given via the Siouxland Community Foundation. Visit ten the most difficult to raise” building a healthy endow- www.siouxcitymuseum.org/get-involved for said Steve Hansen, Museum ment for the future. details. Director. “Our donors appre- ciate that one hundred per- Already the Museum’s en- being used for summer edu- cent of the proceeds from dowment dollars are being cational programming and our endowment fund go to put to work. Each year, a exhibit costs. (For a complete educational and exhibit ac- portion of the interest is avail- listing of summer camps and tivities.” able. This year, funds are classes, see page 6.) Building on the success of “Tourist in Your Own Town” program isit Sioux City’s local “Many residents are surprised Library, Tyson Events Center/ cultural and entertain- at how much our commu- Gateway Arena, Long Lines Vment attractions this nity has to offer ‘right in our Family Rec Center, Sioux City summer as part of the “Tourist own backyard’ – especially Convention Center, Dorothy in Your Own Town” program attractions that are free,” Pecaut Nature Center, Lewis to win an array of prizes. said Steve Hansen, Museum & Clark Interpretive Center/ Once again, the Sioux City Director. “We were pleased Betty Strong Encounter Cen- Public Museum and Sergeant with the changes made to ter, The Railroad Museum Floyd River Museum & Wel- the program last year.” – Sioux City, Mid America come Center are participat- Museum of Aviation & Trans- ing in the program. In the past, the program was portation, and Trinity Heights/ limited to just a couple weeks Queen of Peace. in May. For the first time last year, residents had the entire Information on each loca- months of June and July to tion and special activities to complete the passport book- get the most out of the visit lets. The booklets showcas- is featured in the booklet. ing Sioux City’s tourist des- A drawing for prizes will be tinations proved to be very held among those families popular. In addition to being who visit eight of the places available at the Public Mu- showcased in the booklet. “Tourist seum and Welcome Center, That means fewer stamps in Your the booklets will be available are needed to be eligible for Own Town” at these locations: Palmer’s the Sioux City “Stay-cation” passport Old Tyme Candy Shoppe, grand prize than last year. A booklets are now Sioux City Art Center, IBP list of winners/prizes will be available. Ice Center, Sioux City Public posted on VisitSiouxCity.org. Peirce Mansion provides elegant setting

Photograph by Stuart Li (www.facebook.com/StuArtandPhotography) he first event after resto- ration work began was Ta small wedding on the staircase in spring 2011. To- day, the Mansion is available to rent for birthday parties, graduation receptions, wed- dings, and company events.

Built in 1893 by local devel- oper John Peirce, the home was purchased by the Ju- nior League of Sioux City for $10,000 in 1958. After being donated to the City of Sioux City for use as a cultural building, it served as the site of the Sioux City Public Mu- Photograph by Stuart Li (www.facebook.com/StuArtandPhotography) Above: The restored man- seum from 1961 to 2011. In sion is an elegant venue for 1978, the Peirce Mansion was a wedding. Right: Volunteer Harold Canny (left) accepts placed on the National Reg- the grant on behalf of the ister of Historic Places. Peirce Mansion Committee from Mark Monson of MRHD. While the renovations to the 2015. The $9,500 individual rooms are com- grant in the Leisure, plete, work remains in other Cultural, Historical areas. On May 14, Missouri category will be River Historical Development, used to upgrade Inc. (MRHD) announced that the electrical sys- the Peirce Mansion was one tem at the Man- of its 41 grant recipients for sion. Photograph by Darrell Strong Welcome Center gears up for summer ith its usual annual events as well as the Wreturn of bikers and more, the staff and volun- teers at the Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center are preparing for a busy summer.

Along with hosting the Bill Diamond Antique & Clas- sic Car Show in July and the Sergeant Floyd Memorial Encampment in August, the Welcome Center will also be involved in the Register’s The grounds of the Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center along the Missouri Annual Great Bicycle Ride River served as a campsite when RAGBRAI last rolled into Sioux City in July 2010. Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). In July, the grounds of the Ser- About the Lego steamboat model geant Floyd River Museum For more than a and Welcome Center will month Amund- once again serve as one son would build of the several campsites for about two throughout the city for RAG- to three hours BRAI riders. In addition, the per night until Welcome Center will be pro- the boat took viding tourist information to shape. He used the thousands of participants historic pictures and supporters. as well as other wooden mod- The 25th year of Saturday in els to help de- the Park and other events, sign the details. also gives the Welcome n late 2012, Pat Amund- Center an opportunity to son read a book about Amundson’s other projects highlight local attractions steamboat Captain Grant include a recreation of a throughout the region. “We I Marsh. In this book the au- keelboat used by Lewis & hope when visitors stop in for thor wrote about the ad- Clark that is on display at tourist information they will ventures of the steamboat the Lewis & Clark Interpre- also explore our Missouri River “The Far West”. It told the tive Center as well as an history,” said Kathy Meisner, story of how Captain Marsh 1889 corn palace from early Welcome Center Supervisor. transported wounded sol- Sioux City history that was diers from the battle of Little featured in the South Dakota A new addition to the exhib- Bighorn. Amundson became Architectural magazine. its is a steamboat made en- fascinated with the steam- Other Lego models of his- tirely of Legos. Well over 5,000 boat and her history to the torical buildings have been individual building blocks point that he had to try to featured in the Sioux City – and no glue – were used in recreate the boat out of Journal, local news and the the steamboat. Legos. Weekender. SUMMER PROGRAMS Reservations are required unless otherwise noted Museum Camps Summer Classes Each camp will feature knowledgeable experts along with Ages 4-6 hands-on activities. A snack will be provided. Experience a book through engaging activities. Three-days: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – noon Fee: $5/member, $6/non-member per session Fee: $40/member, $45/non-member 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Ages 6-8 New for 2015! Monkeying Around Tuesday, June 9 Dinosaurs Rock!!! June 30 – July 2 Firehouse Dog Tuesday, June 23 I’m a T-Rex Tuesday, July 7 Dig into geology, volcanos and dinosaurs. When the Colors Quit Tuesday, July 21 Ages 7-9 Back by popular demand Cooking Camp June 2 – 4 Ages 7-10 From a frontier breakfast to snacks, desserts Victorian Tea Party and decorating. *Held at the Peirce Mansion, 2901 Jackson St. Come “dressed to impress” and ready to enjoy Day at the Museum July 14 – 16 Experience Museum fun during the day as you a Victorian Tea. Learn about Victorian etiquette learn more about the historical figures depicted and participate in some parlor games. Fee: $5/member, $6/non-member in the popular “Museum” movies. 10:30 a.m. – noon Wednesday, June 24 Ages 10 & Up Explore! Design! Create! June 23 – 25 Family Programs Explore the secrets of the downtown historic places. Kid’s Thursdays* 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Design your own new landmark for Sioux City. *Pre-registration not required for Kid’s Thursdays only Create your masterpiece for display at the Museum. Geared to families with young children. Adults Bridges, Robots and Rockets July 7 – 9 and children will explore hands-on learning Hands-on fun with STEM, including daily design activity centers. Fee: $1 per child per session challenges. Students will design and test bridges Going on a Safari June 11 and rockets and take part in a robot demo. Gone Fishing June 25 Feathered Serpents, Dragons and Pyramids July 21 – 23 It’s Carnival Time July 9 Uncover the facts and legends of the ancient Space Adventure July 23 Aztecs, Chinese and Egyptians. SAVE ON CLASSES BY BECOMING A MUSEUM MEMBER Scholarships are available based on financial need. For details, Special offer: Save $5 on a new family membership if contact 712-279-6174 or [email protected]. you join when registering for summer classes. MUSEUM SUMMER REGISTRATION FORM Class sizes are limited. Payment is required to hold class reservations. Please use a separate form for each child. Registration forms must be dropped off/mailed with payment to the Sioux City Public Museum. Make checks payable to “Sioux City Museum & Historical Association.” Child Information Last Name______First______Age______Address______City/State/Zip______Parent Name______Daytime Phone______(Cell)______Email______Emergency Name/Phone______Activity Name Class Date/Time Fee Current Museum Member? Yes No ______Add a special $25 family membership? Yes No ______Total Payment $______List any food allergies/medical needs ______

Refunds will only be given up to one week prior to the class date. After that, no refunds will be given except in the event of unforeseen medical reasons or program cancellations/postponements. Note: bottom of this form must be Payment method: Cash Check Credit Card (complete information) signed regardless of payment type.

Visa/MasterCard#______Exp. Date______Cardholder’s Signature______

CVV Code (3-digit # on back of card)______Card billing address (if different from above): ______I hereby give permission for my child (or myself) to participate in the above program/activity. I will not hold the City of Sioux City, the Sioux City Public Museum, or its appointed staff responsible in case of accident/injury or loss as a result of participation in these activities. In addition, I hereby grant the City of Sioux City and its participants, the right to use any and all of my materials, photographs, audio, video tape or film recordings made by me on the dates above and as long thereafter as [the City of Sioux City and its participants] may desire to use the same. Note: If participant is under the age of 18 years or less, this release must be signed by the participant’s parent or guardian.

X______Parent/Guardian Signature (REQUIRED) Date Recent Acquisitions a fragile item would survive Notes on the back of a post- such destruction, but two card written later revealed: notes give a detailed history “This pitcher was an ordinary of the artifact. white pitcher in the stock of J. K. Prugh Wholesale The oldest of the two descrip- [C]rockery Co. located at tions reads: “December 23rd 314 Nebraska St. just back of 1904 the big $2,000,000 fire the Brown Blk. where I of- destroyed more than two ficed. This is where the Toy blocks from Jackson St. to National Bank is located Pierce St. It started in Pelleti- [Moore Clothing Co. and An- er’s store. J. K. Prugh had a derson Furniture Co.]. It was Found in the rubble in 1904, this pitcher wholesale crockery co. back totally destroyed in the fire once had a white and pink colored glaze, but the heat, smoke, and water altered the of 4th and Nebraska St. fac- of Dec. 23, 1904. The morn- glaze, making it appear gray and blue. ing east [west]. This pitcher ing after the fire I was looking nown locally as the was picked up there after through the ruins and found “great fire,” the Pelle- the fire by Foster G. Iddings, this pitcher. I believe the Ktier Fire was Sioux City’s who had burned out in the heat, smoke, and water col- worst fire in terms of property Brown Block the same time. ored it. It is a wonder it was damage. The inferno gutted This was just an ordinary white not chipped or broken.” more than two entire blocks pitcher and the fire, smoke, of downtown Sioux City and and water colored it.” About artifact donations one man died. Donations of artifacts to the Iddings of the Iddings & Sioux City Public Museum Emerging out of those flames Nickle law firm found this may be taken directly to the was a small pitcher that was Royal Ironstone China pitch- Research Center by using the recently donated to the er, made by Johnson Brothers Jackson St. entrance during Sioux City Public Museum by of England, in the rubble of its regular operating hours or Lynne Erickson Boulden. Not the J. K. Prugh Co. after the by appointment (see back only is it remarkable that such Pelletier Fire. cover for details). As a member of the Sioux City Museum and Historical Association you will receive: Sioux City Museum and The Museum newsletter and invitations to special events for members. Historical Association Discounts on children’s classes and a 10% discount on purchases at our gift shops. The benefits of the Time Traveler Program which include free/reduced admission Membership Form and discounts at historic sites and museums across the United States.

Membership Categories (please check one) • Individual: $20/year • Supporting: $50/year Name(s) • Sr. Citizen: $15/year • Patron: $100/year • Family: $30/year • Benefactor: $250+/year Address • Business: Starting at $100+/year Amount Enclosed: $______Credit card payments accepted by calling 712-279-6174 ext. 105 City State Zip or by completing the information below: Visa/MasterCard#______Exp. Date______Phone Number E-mail address CVV Code (3-digit # on back of card)______Make checks payable to: Cardholder’s Signature______Sioux City Museum and Historical Association The Sioux City Museum and Historical Association is a 501(c)(3) organization. I would like a Museum representative to contact me regarding: • A gift of appreciated securities • A charitable trust/other planned giving instrument • A gift of other real property • The Endow Iowa Tax Credit Please send membership form and payment to the Sioux City Museum and Historical Association • 607 4th Street • Sioux City, Iowa 51101 Sioux City Museum & Historical Association Non-Profit Org. 607 4th Street U.S. Postage HOURS Sioux City, IA 51101 PAID Permit No. 87 Sioux City Public Museum Sioux City, IA 607 4th Street Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Museum Research Center Use Jackson Street entrance Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday and Saturday by appointment only Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center 1000 Larsen Park Road Daily 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. FREE ADMISSION John Peirce Mansion 2901 Jackson Street Available for rental Main phone # 712-279-6174

Museum Staff Matt Anderson, Exhibit Preparator Don Bentson, Welcome Center Custodian Ron Craft, Welcome Center Custodian Mary Green-Warnstadt, Development Coordinator Steve Hansen, Museum Director Dottie Johnson, Front Desk/Museum Store Assistant Grace Linden, Curator of History Bernetta Lopez, Museum Attendant Upcoming Events/ExhibitsRAND PENING Connie Macfarlane, Education Coordinator G O Deanna Mayo, Administrative Assistant Through July 23 xperience the history of Sioux City like never before! You are invited to Kathy Meisner, Sgt. Floyd River Museum Supervisor Children’sE summer programs (See page 6 for details) Tom Munson, Archival Records Clerk celebrate the grand opening of the new Sioux City Public Museum. Mark Simpson, Welcome Center Assistant Explore state-of-the-art interactive displays, engaging permanent exhibits, Eric Turner, Custodian June 8-14rare Sioux City artifacts and so much more. Please join us on this Theresa Weaver-Basye, Curator of Education Iowa Museumhistory-making Week day as we present ÒOur New MuseumÓ to the community. David Will, Custodian Museum & Historical Opening June 13 Association Board Members Saturday in the Park: Rockin’WHO: for 25 SiouxYears City Exhibit Public Museum Terry Duzik, President, Terry Gottburg, Vice- Sioux City Public Museum (See page 1 for details) President, Joellen Graham, Secretary, Maynard Porter, WHAT: Grand Opening Ceremony & Ribbon Cutting Treasurer, Harold Canny, Rosie Chicoine, Don Duzik, Thursday, June 18 Kathy Fliginger, Russ Gondek, Greg Guelcher, Mary WHEN: Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Heck, Connie Macfarlane, Patrick McKeever, Marc J. History at High Noon: Sioux City’sWHERE: Catholic 607 4th Street Hospitals 1890-2015 Mozak, David Nelson, Joan Schurtz, and Eric Turner. 12:05 p.m. Museum Board of Trustees Sioux City Public Museum Rick Mullin, Chair; Steven Crary, Vice-Chair; Michele Boykin, Katie Colling, Janet Flanagan, Presented by Grace Linden Priscilla Forsyth and Wendy Lego. Sunday, July 12 Board Meetings Bill Diamond Antique & Classic Car Show The Association typically meet at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of the month; the Trustees typically Noon – 4:00 p.m. meet at noon on the 2nd Friday of the month. Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center