H I S T O R I A N - State Historical Society of Iowa

IOWAH I S T O R I A NVolume 15 Number 6 http://www.iowahistory.org November/December 2001Inside...Honor the Colors:Iowa’s Civil WarBattle Flagspage 3Historical Societyhonors donorspage 4 & 5Missing plaque findsits way homepage 6Calendar of Eventspage 7Iowa Historian1NEWSLETTER OF THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA November/December 2001

DEAR READERS...by Sarah Oltrogge, editorThe image of the American flag and what itstands for have renewed a sense of pride in thoseof us who live in this country. It seems that almostovernight, every home is flying the colors, storescan’t keep flags stocked, and, perhaps most importantly,Americans have come together to stand behindit.SARAHThe American flag, as we know it today, wasn’t OLTROGGEalways a symbol of one nation indivisible. In February,the State Historical Society of Iowa will open an exhibit, Honorthe Colors, which will feature battle flags of Iowa infantry unitsduring the Civil War, a time when the United States was very muchdivided.As we look back 140 years, we hope that those who come to theState Historical Building will remember the struggles that served tomake our nation stronger. Somewhere sewn into the tattered, bulletriddledfabric of faded red, white and blue lie the stories of heroes.We might remember the soldier targeted by the opposition onlybecause he carried his unit’s flag. Historical records show that asmany as four men might have died carrying a particular flag representingtheir infantry unit. The flags on display, gunpowder stillapparent on the threads, it’s easy to see what it means to “honor thecolors.”History may not be repeating itself, but we can certainly lookback to see how far we’ve come. The Civil War taught us nothing ifnot the value of taking pride in our country and respecting everysingle person within its borders.Honor the Colors will let the men of Iowa who served in the CivilWar tell who they were, how they were equipped and how they feltabout the flags they followed into battle. The exhibit will featureoriginal equipment, period prints and paintings and uniforms. Morethan that, though, Honor the Colors reinforces what we’ve alwayssomehow known to be true: the American spirit is still very muchalive.IOWAHISTORIANis published bimonthly as a benefitfor members of theState Historical Society of IowaSociety Board of TrusteesThomas Colbert, MarshalltownTherese (Teri) Goodman, DubuqueGalen Jackson, Rock RapidsGail Sands, Cedar FallsTerri McMurtry-Chubb,Des MoinesRosalyn Middleton, WaterlooRobert Neymeyer, ParkersburgWalter W. Pyper, Council BluffsDorothy Schwieder, AmesJoseph Walt, IndianolaPeggy Whitworth, Cedar RapidsSarah OltroggeNewsletter EditorPhone: 515-281-4011Iowa HistorianTo help Iowanscomprehend who they are andwhat they can become, theState Historical Society of Iowaserves as a trustee of Iowa’shistorical legacy and anadvocate for understandingIowa’s past.The mission of theIowa Historical Foundationis to raise funds to support theState Historical Society of Iowaand its programs,to preserve Iowa’s heritage andto educate Iowa citizensso that they know andappreciate that heritage.www.iowahistory.orgIowa Historical FoundationChairmanJohn Merriman, CliveBoard of DirectorsHal Chase, Des MoinesMeg Courter, Des MoinesJim Foster, Des MoinesHoward Gregory, Des MoinesLuther L. Hill Jr., Des MoinesFred Lorber, Des MoinesSen. Gene Maddox, ClivePaul J. Meginnis II, Des MoinesRosalyn Middleton, WaterlooTom Morain, LamoniLiz Neumann, Des MoinesRobert Neymeyer, ParkersburgWilliam Peverill, Des MoinesLeRoy Pratt, Des MoinesGary Reiners, Des MoinesMary Ann Zug, Des Moines© 2001 SHSI,a division of theDepartmentofCultural Affairs2The Iowa Historiannewsletter to beprinted quarterlyThe Iowa Historian will subsequently be published quarterlyin response to staffing changes and budget cuts within theState Historical Society of Iowa and the Department of CulturalAffairs.The Iowa Historian will be printed in January, April, July andOctober. Deadlines for submissions will be Dec. 1, March 1, June1 and Sept. 1. The Historian also encourages guest editorials, tobe featured for the “In Your Words” column. Guest writers mustsubmit their editorials by the deadline in order to be consideredand essays must be no longer than 500 words in length. Eachsubject must deal with some aspect of Iowa history–historic preservationefforts, local historical society efforts, or how HistoricalSociety grants have helped a community. Columns can be sentto: The Iowa Historian, c/o Sarah Oltrogge, 600 E. Locust, DesMoines, IA 50319.The Historical Society will continue to update its Web site,www.iowahistory.org, with the latest information and calendar ofevents.If you’ve got a story idea that sounds good for the newsletter,or for general information about Historical Society events, pleasecontact Sarah Oltrogge, newsletter editor, at (515) 281-4011 orSarah.Oltrogge@dca.state.ia.us.Architectural historianjoins staffThe State Historical Society of Iowa has hired JackC. Porter as a historical program specialist.In his position, Porter will advise people and agenciesabout places of architectural significance andreview grant project activities. He will also help todetermine eligibility for properties for the NationalRegister of Historic Places and provide technical assistanceto people who seek to list properties on theNational Register.“I am very excited to join the Historical Society,”Porter said. “I have been active in efforts to save our communities’historic and architectural resources for many years. Now I have theopportunity to work with other hard-working and dedicated professionalswho are on the front lines of this historic preservationbattle.”Porter received his bachelor of arts degree from Iowa State Universityin 1969, and his masters in architecture from Iowa StateUniversity in 1975. He may be reached at (515) 242-6152.About the CoverJack C.PorterThis photo was taken around 1940 of two boys at Black Oak, No.6 rural school. It highlights this issue’s article on flags, particularlyCivil War battle flags being prepared for the exhibit Honor the Colors,opening in February at the State Historical Building.November/December 2001

Historical Society invites nominations for Awardsfor Excellence in History 2002Great things are happening in Iowa history and the State HistoricalSociety of Iowa is looking to honor those who have made outstandingcontributions to the study and practice of Iowa history.The Historical Society is currently seeking nominations recognizingexemplary Iowa projects.Loren Horton Community History AwardThis award recognizes the best project that increases awarenessand participation in Iowa history on a local level. The 2002 awardwill recognize an individual, group or organization whose outstandinglocal history project was completed during calendar year 2001.Nominated projects may incorporate any or all of the following:• Outstanding program or event• Outstanding use of volunteers• Outstanding project related to a museum, library, archives,historic preservation or education activity• Outstanding research or publication• Outstanding youth projectOne Loren Horton Community History Award is given annually.In addition to the overall award, one Certificate of Recognition maybe presented in each of the five categories listed.For more information on criteria and submitting nominations, contactKathy Gourley at (515) 281-6913; Kathy.Gourley@dca.state.ia.us.Petersen/Harlan AwardIowa HistorianHonor the Colors gives the personalaccounts of Iowans in the Civil WarWhen the Honor the Colors: Iowa’s Civil War Battle Flags exhibitopens at the State Historical Building in late February, Iowanswill have a chance to see a side of the Civil War that hasn’t beenbrought to light in 140 years.The exhibit is composed of two parts. The first is the people whoput a face on the war, and who died for it and the second is the battleflags of Iowa companies and regiments.“We’re interested in some of their experiences,” said State HistoricalSociety of Iowa curator Bill Johnson. “For instance, if youwere wounded, it was horrendous.” The exhibit will show a prostheticleg, as it was likely a soldier shot in the arm or leg wouldrequire surgery to remove the limb.But Honor the Colors will go beyond common knowledge aboutwar–being the artillery, the battles and the fight against slavery–towhat kinds of foods soldiers were given to eat, such as rations ofbiscuits and salt pork, Johnson said.“It was a sparse life, but if you go back to that day, these peopledidn’t have a lot of creature comforts, so it wouldn’t be like today,”he said.There are even some artifacts belonging to John Brown that willbe on display. Brown’s actions in Kansas and Missouri, as well ashis unbridled crusade against slavery, helped spark the Civil War.And it was Iowans who fought alongside their neighbors in companiesidentified by the towns they lived in, often traveling as farsouth as Florida or Louisiana.“It was amazing,” Johnson said. “These men would march thousandsof miles for their duty.”3Each piece in the exhibit will have a small biography of the personwho owned it.“Many of these fellows are going to be very obscure, while othersobtained national prominence,” Johnson said. “This was a na-continued on page 7Soldiers’ papers tell the realstory of the Civil War“July 23: 1864: When we first came here we had very strictorders about Jayhawking we were not alowed to take any thingno matter whether owner was there or not, but now the boys goout and bring in beef pork chickins apples and vegitables of allkinds we live a little better living now but our rations of breadis rather small it being one small loaf per day, it is all mostimpossible to keep the boys from taking what they want whenthey only have 1/3 rations, and then it goes against the grain toguard rebel property.”So reads the journal of George C. Bradway, Company F, 44thIowa Volunteer Infantry. Bradway was a 100-day man who wasn’tafraid to tell what life was really like on the front lines of the CivilWar. The Bradway papers are available for public viewing at theState Historical Library in Des Moines. Many others like themare also available at the Historical Library in Iowa City.continued on page 7This award recognizes an individual, group or organization thathas made significant long-term or continuing contributions to Iowahistory.Nominees shall have contributed a body of work advancing thepreservation and interpretation of Iowa history. Each body of workwill be evaluated for significance, professionalism and influence onIowans’ perceptions of themselves.The public may nominate entries for the Petersen/Harlan Awardby mail. Nominations must be postmarked by Feb. 1, 2002.For more information on the Petersen/Harlan Award, contactKathy Gourley at (515) 281-6913; Kathy.Gourley@dca.state.ia.us.Benjamin F. Shambaugh AwardThis award recognizes the book judged as the most significantbook on Iowa history published during the preceding year.Each nominated book will be evaluated on the following, equallyweighted criteria: Its contribution to knowledge about Iowa history;scholarship; readability and appropriateness for the intendedaudience.The public may nominate entries for the Shambaugh Award bymail. Only one Shambaugh Award is given each year. In addition,two Certificates of Recognition may be awarded.For more information on the Benjamin F. Shambaugh Award, con-continued on page 6November/December 2001

Our 2000-2001 donors drumup supportThe Iowa Historical Foundation (IHF) raises funds to support the State Historical Society of Iowaand its programs. The following individuals and organizations made contributions in excess of basicmembership dues to IHF and the State Historical Society of Iowa during the 2001 fiscal year. Thesegenerous contributions make the continued exploration of Iowa’s history possible.If you would like more information about the Iowa Historical Foundation, please call 515-281-3754.Over $50,000Fred Maytag FamilyFoundation$5,000 to $10,000Artemus Bush–Helen JonesTrustEdward C.A. Wachtmeister$1,000 to $5,000Barbara BeattyBarbara BuckleyHal and Avril ChaseLuther and Sara HillThomas KentMaytag CorporationPaul and Shiela MeginnisMr. John A. Merriman$501 to $1,000Ernst Sargent FamilyFoundationHoward GregoryJames and Helen HubbellGerald M. KirkeSad Sack No. 50Steve SpragueWilliam R. Windsor$101 to $500Lord and Mrs. Richard ActonAmvets Ladies Auxillary Post# 2Battle Flag GroupJudy BeaneG. Galin and Carol BerrierJames L. BondTom Brekke, Jr.Peter and Lisa BrownCedar Rapids and Iowa CityRailway Co.Ruth ChadwickCharles Gabus FordKenneth ClarkMeg and Jeff CourterDes Moines Amvets Post #2Don and Marian EasterPatricia K. EndressRobert Iowa Historian and Ann FlemingDolores GarstThomas and Joan GhristDuane and Corinne GreggJoseph B. GroeneOrtha HarstadDavid and Sara HawkinsKate HawkinsDouglas and Mary HedbergJoseph HeggenWilliam HohlfeldJoe HollandDr. William R. HornadayMr. and Mrs. David HurdIowa Department of AmvetsService FoundationMs. Lee M. JackwigDr. Margaret KeyesKruidenier CharitableFoundation, IncDwayne LenkerFred and Miriam LorberIvan and Marian LyddonRandolph W. LyonGene and Naomi MaahsHarriet S. MacomberRichard and Dorene McGowanGordon and Mary MixdorfTom and Vikki MorainRick and Elizabeth NeumannAddison ParkerJames Autry and SallyPedersonJames and Eleanor PerryFred PetersPeverill Capital PlanningHerbert and Helen PhillipsJames and Ruth PirosGary ReinersMr. and Mrs. Peter ReiterRyan Companies US, Inc.Charles and Katherine SafrisRichard G. SantiRonald W. SchulzNeal and Beatrix SmithJames SporelSukup ManufacturingCompanyDavid and Judy ThayerRichard and Nancy ThomasTownsend EngineeringCompany4Virginia Van LiewLisa VeachA. Thomas and Kathy WallaceJoseph WaltDan WarrenBennett A. WebsterFred and Emily WeitzJohn Q. Wilds Camp # 235SUVCW, 100Thomas and Mary Ann Zug$41 to $100Clayton F. EmmertClegg Park Elementary SchoolJacqueln AlbiniJackson BatyBette BrunstingJoanne DierksCharles DoddsMarian DunhamMyra GreveBetty GrundbergMarvin HabbingaTammy HartmannMr. A.T. HelgersonEllen M. HeywoodMaj. William and SharonJordanJean KrusiIvan and Marian LyddonLyle LynnDavid J. LyonsKenneth MacDonaldDennis MarWayne MittmanMeredith OlsonJoanne PetersonSheldon and RabinowitzCena G. SappJohn and Ingrid SchmidtAlice SmithDr. Lawrence F. StaplesRobert and Molly VeenstraDeanna WardJohn WrightIBM CorporationQuesters Swede PointThomas H. Perry, Jr.Tom and Josephine BeasleyWillard L. BoydCarol S. BrownRobert Brown and Jean BrownRay and Judy BurfeindJames BussenMr. and Mrs. Simon W. CasadyRobert and Phyllis CribbsAlice DanielsMr. and Mrs. Herman L. DeatonSaul DiamondTerry and Sandra DillingerDavid DohlmanBill DunbarGordon ElliottHarry and Charlotte ElmetsJohn M. Ely, Jr.Jeremy GilbertDavid GoeppingerLeonard GrimesDr. and Mrs. Randall C. HartShirley HeldDan C. HoffaEdgar and Rachel HoldenKenneth and Janis HubelHarold and Carole JensenRuth and Ron JohnsonDouglas KintzleMichael and Karon LaceyNels R. LerstenJeanne LilligMr. and Mrs. Seeley G. LodwickDon LomenSteve MarlowDonald and Patricia McBrideMr. and Mrs. Harold McCarvilleMarshall McKusickHelen McRobertsJoe MeisnerMiles and Clare MillsRichard and Polly MooreCatie NewmanRoger S. NicholsMichael J. O’KeefeDeb OstremFrederick and JacquelineRaymanWendell and Grace RehnblomScott and Anne ReitzlerPamela RileyJerry SamuelsonKelly Sargent and Paul BridsonJohn and Joan SherwinKappie SpencerVaun SprecherSteve StoryKatherine SvecElaine SzymoniakRichard J. VipondRobert and Lois VohsKenneth and Shirley WellerGregory and Melinda WilcoxAlan WiltL.L. WoodruffWayne A. WoodsE. Ruth YorkEkhard November/December and Wendy Ziegler2001

Norwalk Community SchoolDistrictWilliam J. Wagner QuestersChap. 405VFW Post 738Lowell and Paula BrandtEdward KouferWillard Bishop and BettyBishopSharon CareyRobert CarstensDiana AndersonSue ShawRichard and Ellen CaplanLouis D. BarmishStephen and Martha DavisJohn ToneDr. Vincent J. AdamsJames and Elizabeth AldridgeJonathan AndelsonAnn AndersonHenry AnkenyByron and Betty AugspurgerJohn and Joni AxelEugene and Norma BakrosJennie Balcom and MarkGlowackiJohn BargmanCraig and Diane BarnesStephen BartenhagenO.C. BeasleyLanny BenishekTimothy BentonWilliam and Mary BishopJames and Gloria BoytJeff BradleyBradley BragaRodney and Joyce BrinkRobert and Mary Jo BrooksDennis W. BrownFrank and Nancy BrownellMatthew and CarolynBucksbaumDavid and Debbie CharlesFrank and Patricia ChildW.D. and Coryene ClassenEthel M. ColeKeith and Evelyn ConcannonJames and Jane ConineJoy CorningHarold and Barbara CorsonDavid F. CoxDavid and Linda CranstonJohn CrawfordJudith H. CrossettMr. and Mrs. Kevin J.CunninghamHelen DallmeyerMichael P. DooleyJohn C. DresserM. Suzanne DuneaDonald and Selma DuvickPaul and Sandy EasterHarold Iowa Historian E. EdebohlsNorman and Floy EricksonBeverly B. EverettFrederick EverettMrs. M. J. FarverMr. and Mrs. Jonathan M.FletcherFrances J. FlickMargaret FosterMrs. and Mr. Ruth A. FrazierMr. Edward J. Gallagher, Jr.Clair GallowayJoseph GallowayKeith and Ann GarberCharlotte GarlandMichael and Barbara GartnerWaldo and Diane GeigerTom and Sharon GeorgeMr. Roger R. GippleRichard B. GraemeJohn and Barbara GrahamMr. and Mrs. Rolland GrefeJames and Zoe GritznerMarion A. GundersonKarl and Barbara GwiasdaTed and Dianne HaasWilliam H. HaberstrohRandall and Kathy HamiltonCarol C. HansonMiriam F. HardySenator and Mrs. Tom R.HarkinRobert H. HarterDr. Sue HaskellChuck and Jo HawtreyEdward and Cora HayesJames and Patricia HayesKaren and Robert HendersonMartha J. HenrichsJohn HessHal HiggsRobert HiltonHerndon and Martha HippeeWilliam B. HofmannH.T. HolcombRalph and Mildred HollanderBlaine HoumesGordon and Doris HouseRobert N. HouserRichard HuntDuane and Judith IngamellsMr. and Mrs. Mark A. JepsonJoseph and Peggy JesterRobert and Patricia JesterOscar and Dolores JohnsonMr. and Mrs. Richard D.JohnsonRolland JohnsonRaymond L. KasselFrancis and Nan KeithRobb and Winifred KelleyDr. Lawrence M. KerrMary KlotzbachSonya KostanBernard KurtzG. Mike and Jane LaMairArnold and Caroline LevineRobert LindemeyerJames and Pat LuhrsJere and Linda MadduxKenneth and Betty MainSteve and Sarah MarquardtMs. Carol E. MartingWilliam and Gail McCabeGeorge W. McDanielRobert J. McDonaldMalcolm McKenziePatrick McNulty and MaryKundratHelen McReynoldsF. Marion MeginnisRobert E. MeisenheimerBruce G. MerrittKevin MonsonMr. Frank W. MoorePat MurphyMiriam MuthMichael Myszewski andMartha JamesRoger NattePatrick NealJ.M. NewtonDr. Robert NeymeyerArlen and Billie NickolanRichard and Patricia NoyceKathleen and Larry OberleyGreg Olson and Chris MontgomeryLeanne OrwigLori OsmusGrace OvertonDavid PalmerDiana Paulina and KevinCrawleyMaxine PerryH. Rand and Mary LouisePetersenJack M. PetersenCol. and Mrs. Franklin D.PetersonMelva PetersonRichard and Patricia PetersonShirley A. PfeiferRev. David J. PolichJ. Glen and Marian PonderBill PrattWalter and Kathleen PyperWilliam B. QuartonJ. Scott and Martha RaeckerRuth RainesMr. and Mrs. LeRoy RedfernLynn A. ReinickeHoward and Betty RemleyDr. Hal B. RichersonAnne RileyCaptain and Mrs. Richard T.Riley5 Maxine I. RobinsonPaula D. RoedererJack and Jackie RolandSteven J. RoyVirginia C. RystromJohn Scarpino and MaryLaurenceRalph W. Scharnau, Ph.D.Ruth SchmalenbergerWilliam and Jean SchneiderWalter and Janice SchultzEthel SchwengelElizabeth SchwyhartGeorge and Joy SerovyKaren ShaffWilliam and Faith ShermanJim SillarsA. Anthes SmithMr. and Mrs. Arnold SohnCarolyn SpenlerPaul J. StagemanJudy StammeyerDennis and Elizabeth StarleafJ.P. SteinDaniel StenceJames and Mary StolleyKaren K. SuchomelMargaret B. SwansonRobert L. TreeArlen and Asta TwedtWilliam and Wicker Van OrsdelJohn VermazenDavid and Dolores WallaceMark and Kathy WamplerNadine WarnerJohn WheelerMargaret WhitworthJoyce A. WieseRoss WilliamsRoss A. Williams Jr.Jan G. WinslowDavid WonderRobert and A-Young WoodyCelia WrightDavid and Kay WrightMr. Donald E. YoungEdith YoungRichard K. YoungCarol ZeiglerCarl and Norma ZurborgBucksbaum, Matthew andCarolyn Family FoundationCity of AmesHistoric Muscatine, Inc.Home State Bank of JeffersonHouchen Bindery, Ltd.Iowa Federation of LaborNational Benefit CorporationThe Iowa Place EducationInitiativeVernon CompanyNovember/December 2001

Missing DAR plaquefinds its way homeA bronze commemorativeplaque believed to have beenmissing from the Abbie GardnerCabin since the 1970s is backhome safe.The Abbie Gardner Cabin isowned and operated by the StateHistorical Society of Iowa.The Ladies of the Lake Chapterof the Daughters of theAmerican Revolution inDickinson County was notifiedAug. 9 by national DAR leadersthat a plaque that once was displayedat the Abbie GardnerCabin was being offered for saleon eBay, an online auction site.Doris Hemphill, theorganization’s registrar, enlistedthe help of a friend’s computersavvyson, Ed DeSpain, to trackdown the seller.“(Ed) soon found the itemnumber, and there was a picturedisplayed of the bronze plaquewith our name on it,” Hemphillsaid.Bidding had begun at $10.DeSpain discovered the sellerlived in Chelsea in Tama County.He then sent an e-mail explainingthat the plaque belonged tothe Ladies of the Lake DAR andthat they’d like it back. He receivedno response.Hemphill then contacted GregBaloun, the Dickinson Countysheriff, who sent a formal communiqueexplaining who he wasand asking the seller to contacthim immediately.The next day, the owner e-mailed Baloun, wanting to knowhow he knew the plaque was stolen.Baloun was then able to requesta search warrant, which hefaxed to the sheriff’s office inTama County. A DickinsonCounty deputy traveled toChelsea and brought the plaquehome.“And all this time, we didn’tknow where it had been, when itIowa HistorianThis plaque replaced the onestolen from Abbie GardnerCabin in Arnolds Park. Thestolen plaque is nearly identicaland now back home atGardner Cabin.disappeared or how,” Hempillsaid. “We had not missed it.”Steve Ohrn, coordinator ofhistoric sites for the State HistoricalSociety said he was gladthis story has a happy ending.“I am pleased that theDickinson County sheriff followedthrough with his investigationand recovered the pilferedplaque,” he said.A further investigation revealedthe plaque had been purchasedat an estate sale inOttumwa for $25.The buyer will receive theamount he paid from a special accountthe sheriff’s departmentuses for such situations.The plaque has since been returnedto the DAR chapter andwill be displayed in the museumnext spring.This article uses information obtainedfrom the Dickinson CountyNews. It is reprinted with permission.Note: The Summer 2001 issueof Iowa Heritage Illustratedhighlights the complete historyof the Abbie Gardner Cabin. Copiescost $6 and can be obtainedby calling (319) 335-3916.6Advocacy: Making it WorkQuotable:“I think music and the arts should be considered core subjectsin our nation’s schools. There is absolutely no conflictbetween the expansion of our fine arts programs, our musicprograms and focus on other academic programs.” —U.S.Secretary of Education Ron PaigeLocal artist garners signatures on ImagineIowa petitionsThrough her own initiative, artist Betty Fitzsimmons ofDes Moines has worked to fill Imagine Iowa petitions withsignatures from across Iowa. Imagine Iowa 2010: A CulturalVision is a strategy for making Iowa a culturally vibrantstate a decade from now. Thousands of Iowans helped createteh plan in the spring of 2001.Those who have signed their names are committed to:• A vigorous cultural environment in Iowa;• Believe that art, history, the sciences and humanities arethe foundation of an exciting cultural climate;• Believe that our cultural institutions are essential to qualityeducation and economic vitality;• Believe that an exciting cultural environment will attractyoung people to Iowa and keep them here;• Believe in making Iowa a state where people can earn aliving in a cultural occupation;• Believe in making sure every Iowan is enriched by historyand the arts; and• Believe in a cultural vision that makes Iowa a wonderfulplace to live, work and raise a family.The Department of Cultural Affairs will continue to collectpetitions to present to state legislators on Cultural AdvocacyDay, Feb. 21, 2002. We encourage historians, culturalresource consultants, researchers and historic preservationiststo join the arts community in securing copies of the ImagineIowa petition and gathering signatures from your communityin support of the Imagine Iowa goals. Send them to:Imagine Iowa Petitions, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines, IA 50319.To learn more about Cultural Advocacy Day, contact PatriciaOhlerking at (515) 281-8824.Historical Society callsfor nominationsfrom page 3tact Marvin Bergman at (319) 335-3931;mbergman@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu.Spring RecognitionAll award recipients will be recognized at award ceremonies inthe spring. The Benjamin F. Shambaugh Award will be presented atIowa History Forum on April 6. The Loren Horton Community HistoryAward and the Petersen/Harlan Award will be presented at“Celebrating Community History” on May 13.Committees appointed by the hair of the State Historical Society’sBoard of Trustees will review the submissions. The committeesselect the finalists, and the Board of Trustees will name the winners.November/December 2001

In Memoriam: The Grand Army of the Republic in IowaNovember 11, 2001–May 2003State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des MoinesAn exhibit about Iowa’s leading Civil War veterans organization.It features memorabilia from the 19th and 20thcenturies including banners, badges, flags, military equipmentand paintings and prints. The exhibit will includematerials from the GAR auxiliary, the Women’s Relief Corps.Neat Pieces: The Furniture of Marsden KeyesNovember 16, 2001–March 31, 2002State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des MoinesA display of pieces of furniture created by Marsden Keyes,a carpenter and cabinetmaker from Mt. Vernon ,c. 1860–1890.CALENDAR OF EVENTSFor the most current events listing, please visitwww.iowahistory.org or call (515) 281-4011.Sunday Afternoon Lecture SeriesSunday, November 18, 2 p.m. FREEWestern Historic Trails Center, 3434 Richard Downing Ave.,Council BluffsHosted by the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County. Call (712)366-5080 for information.Montauk Holiday Open HouseSunday, December 9, 1–4 p.m. FREEMontauk, Home of Governor William Larrabee, ClermontThe home is decorated in the typical 19th century style of theLarrabee family, simply done with festive outdoor greenery. Therewill be entertainment, caroling, refreshments and horse and wagonrides around the house and grounds. Call (319) 423-7173 forinformation.from page 3tional experience, but it was also an individual experience.”The battle flags were the symbol of pride of any companyand often served the purpose of guiding the men into battle.Sometimes the smoke would become so thick that if a soldierlost site of his company’s flag, he could become disorientedand wander into enemy territory, Johnson said. It was also anhonor to carry the flag, and it was common for several men tobe killed while trying to carry the same flag, Johnson said.Three battle flags will be featured in the exhibit. The firstbattle flag is from Company E, 31st Iowa Infantry and was sewnby women of the community with their names stitched intosome of the stars.“This shows the culture of family and town involvement,”Johnson said.Iowa HistorianCivil War battle flags a symbol of pridefrom page 3The collection of Civil War papers obtained by SHSI specialcollections, though not part of the upcoming exhibit Honorthe Colors: Iowa’s Civil War Battle Flags,rounds out thestory of Iowans who served and gives a first-hand and sometimeseerie portrayal of the conditions of war.“(Bradway) is very descriptive, very graphic about thewounds, the diseases they suffered, the poor conditions,”said Becki Plunkett, special collections archivist.Another man, Capt. Robert Stitt, Company F, 4th Iowa Infantry,was adamant about keeping his post, while his wife athome faithfully wrote letters to him begging him to comehome.“It’s always good to get the perspective of those left behind,”Plunkett said. “It shows the emotional turmoil thatfamilies faced.”The second is a captured Confederate flag from the 31st Alabamaemblazoned with the words, “God and Our Native Land.” It will be thefirst time Iowa has displayed a captured Confederate flag in 40 years.“It shows they felt God was on their side and the land they wereprotecting was their own,” Johnson said.The third battle flag is from Company C of the 19th Iowa and is beingshown specifically for the extensive conservation work that has goneinto preserving it.Also on display will be “souvenirs,” or patches of flags that were cutfrom the larger flag by soldiers to take home. These were often stars orsignificant symbols contained on each flag.For updates, photos and general information on Honor the Colors:Iowa Civil War Battle Flags, visit www.iowaflags.org.Journals relay emotional turmoil of warOthers, like Samuel C. Jones, Company A, 22nd Iowa Infantry, wroteemotional poems about battles, his time in prison and even Confederatebattle flags.“It’s a different way to hear the experiences related,” Plunkett said.Most items in Special Collections have been donated to the HistoricalSociety and all have some connection to Iowa, she added.“That’s one of the criteria for collecting; we try to keep it Iowa focused.”Library hours of reference and retrieval are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesdaythrough Saturday. The state archives, photograph, and manuscriptcollections are closed Saturdays, unless arrangements are made in advance.Arrangements can be made to use archival material on Saturdaysby requesting the needed material from an archives staff memberprior to noon on the preceding Friday. Partial listings of the manuscriptcollections can be found at www.iowahistory.org.7November/December 2001

IOWAHISTORIANState Historical Society of Iowa600 E. LocustDes Moines, IA 50319Pre-Sorted StandardU.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 1195Des Moines, IAYes!I’m interested in becoming a member of theSTATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA.Individual Membership $40✶ Iowa Heritage Illustrated magazine✶ Iowa Historian newsletter✶ 10% discount at Museum Store &Cafe✶ Time Travelers Society✶ Exclusive member benefitsHeritage Circle $100 & Over✶ Individual and family benefits✶ 20% discount on books at the MuseumStore✶ Annals of Iowa scholarly journal✶ Premium Iowa history book✶ Special pre~opening access to newexhibitsFamily MembershipAdd $20 to the individualmembership. If joining theHeritage Circle and desire familymembership, check this box .Your family will enjoy the individualmembership benefits plus:✶✶✶✶Special notice of family activitiesMembership cards for eachmemberKids’ events calendar &newsletter20% discount at the MuseumStore on children’s books andtoysComplete the form below and mail withyour payment to:Membership Program600 East LocustDes Moines, IA 50319515-242-5217Name:Address:Phone:Supporter$10,000 & OverPatron$1,000& OverConservator$500 & OverBenefactor$5,000 & OverAdvocate$250 & OverEmail:Check enclosedCredit Card: Visa/MasterCard accepted.(Please circle)Name on Card:Card #:Expiration Date: