The major exhibit this year at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch, Iowa. They go through the entire alphabet, but here are some highlights. The display will stay up through Nov. 1st.
A=American Gothic – A display on Grant Wood and the image of American Gothic in popular culture.
D=Des Moines – Matchstick Marvels – Terrace Hill done in matchsticks. That phrase doesn’t anywhere near do justice to Matchstick Marvel creations. It has it’s own museum and has done exhibits for other museums. Here’s a magazine story about their own museum.
http://www.americanprofile.com/article/24350.html
F=Floods – Photos and Information about the floods from 2008 and other major floods.
H=Hawkeye Heritage – A catchall category with information about various things in Iowa history. There is a large display of various cultural heritage groups in Iowa. They also have one of my favorite metal tombstones.
I=Invention and Innovators – This includes information on people like:
John Vincent Atanasoff
James Van Allen
Carrie Chapman Catt
Amelia Bloomer
J=Journeys -The best part of this section is on the Lincoln Highway.
L=Landscapes – Great photos and artwork of Iowa.
M=Music Man – Perfection itself as a musical.
O=One-Room Schools – Great small re-created one-room school. There is a great inside joke about Tim Walch on blackboard. I’m dying to find a copy of the Teacher Miniumum Wage Scale they have displayed on the desk.
Q=Quips and Quotes – Photos of funny things around Iowa, including a photo of me in front of the World’s largest frying pan in Brandon, Iowa.
W=Writers – This is about my favorite section. It includes displays for Laura Ingalls Wilder and Mildred Wirt Benson (who wrote Nancy Drew books under the name Carolyn Keene).
Tags: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, Iowa History, Lincoln Highway, Grant Wood, Mildred Wirt Benson, Music Man, American Gothic, Matchstick Marvels
