Sep. 13 - Apr. 12 • Made from Mud: Iowa's Potters and Potteries, 1830-1930 (Exhibit), Des Moines, Iowa Details Location: State Historical Museum, 600 East Locust
Sponsor: State Historical Society of Iowa
Website: http://www.iowahistory.org
Description: A major exhibition of more than 300 pieces of Iowa stoneware spanning the period 1830 to 1930 is on display at the State Historical Museum.

"Made from Mud: Iowa's Potters and Potteries, 1830-1930" will be on display Sept. 13, 2008 through April 12, 2009. The State Historical Museum is at 600 E. Locust Street in the Historic East Village, Des Moines. Hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and Noon-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public.

"Unlike the wares of the eastern United States, which are well-researched, the ceramics of Iowa have been largely ignored by historians of the decorative arts," State Historical Museum Chief Curator Michael Smith said. "We believe this exhibit will help bring more recognition to and understanding of Iowa potters and pottery."

During the 19th century, the discovery of superior clay deposits in conjunction with the state's rich coal seams gave birth to a thriving ceramics industry, especially in Boone, Mahaska, Muscatine, Polk, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren and Webster counties.

Although machine techniques were increasingly adopted beginning about 1870, the exhibition concentrates on wheel thrown jugs, jars, pans and churns produced by these potteries in a variety of sizes for storing, preserving and preparing food.

"The presence of potters in Iowa can be documented as early as 1836," Smith said. "We found that during the period from 1830 to 1930, more than 300 identified individuals were actively engaged in the production of Iowa ceramics. Without a doubt, more have yet to be identified. The marks of about 80 potters have been located on pieces for inclusion in the exhibition."

Visit www.iowahistory.org for more information.


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Oct. 7 • Brucemore Community Tree Planting Event, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Details Location: Brucemore, 2160 Linden Drive SE
Sponsor: Brucemore
Contact: (319) 362-7375
Website: http://www.brucemore.org
Description: Brucemore will host a community tree planting event, Tuesday, October 7, 2008, as part of the Branching Out program – a three-way partnership between Alliant Energy, Trees Forever, Brucemore, and Iowa communities to promote tree plantings to save energy and to protect and enhance the environment. The partnership is designed to act as a catalyst for qualifying communities or organizations that need trees and have citizens willing to work cooperatively for the continuing benefit of their communities. Every Branching Out project focuses on long-term tree care with a special emphasis on energy efficiency and conservation.

Brucemore continuously focuses on restoring the historic O.C. Simonds landscape on the estate. Through the Branching Out program, Brucemore will fuse the prairie-style landscape restoration with a two-fold, community educational event – teaching the process of transplanting a large, native tree and the energy-saving benefits of properly sited shade trees. Historic preservation has a long-standing relationship with energy conservation and the event will relate historic landscaping principles with a modern application.

The community will have the opportunity to learn how to properly site, plant, and care for new trees. Franklin Middle School students will be planting trees throughout the Brucemore estate. The installation of the trees will benefit the community by reducing rainwater runoff and diminishing air and noise pollution from the streets.

Brucemore is Iowa’s only National Trust Historic Site and is located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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Oct. 9 (5:00 pm - 9:00 pm) • Tour de Loo, Waterloo, Iowa Details Sponsor: Main Street Waterloo
Contact: 319.291.2038
Website: http://www.mainstreetwaterloo.org/
Description: Annual "behind the scenes" tour of downtown's newest rehabilitation projects. Guests are invited to see historic properties, view recent restorations, get a peek at work in progress and view plans of projects yet to come and see the finished product of spaces that were in the beginning phase at the last tour, and view plans of projects yet to come. The tour of downtown Waterloo's unfinished spaces and newest renovations include residential, retail, restaurant, night life and office spaces. You may begin your tour at any of the locations, TBA. Please call 319.291.2038 for more information.
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Oct. 10-11 • Iowa Country Schools Conference, Ames, Iowa Details Sponsor: Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance
Contact: Bill Sherman wsherman@networkiowa.com
Website: http://www.iowapreservation.org/schools.php
Description: The 9th annual Iowa country school preservation conference will be held Oct. 10-11, 2008, in Ames. This year's conference, Perceptions of the Country School, will feature Dr. Pamela Riney-Kehrberg, ISU Director of Graduate Education, Program in Agricultural History and Rural Studies. Learn the pros and cons of restoring a country school to a specific time period, how to create a website for your country school museum, and how to beautify your country school's grounds appropriately. The agenda also includes a session on program resources for country schools, information on the country school grant program from the State Historical Society of Iowa, and much, much, more! On Saturday, tour Nevada's historic village, Colo's Reed-Niland restored gas station and motel, and country schools in State Center and Marshalltown.

Download the brochure on the IHPA Country Schools page.

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Oct. 17-19 • Window Restoration College, Hannibal, Missouri Details Location: Lamb-Munger House, 521 Bird Street
Sponsor: Preservation Resources, Inc.
Contact: Bob Yapp yapperman@msn.com 573-629-2226
Description: Three-day, fun and intense hands-on workshop learning from beginning to end how to restore original wood windows. The experience is like an apprenticeship. Students will learn how to cost effectively restore original wood windows making them more energy efficient than replacement windows. This is a tuition-based workshop. Pre-registration is required by September 30, 2008. Tuition is $300, which includes a box lunch and beverages each day.

Homeowners, small contractors, preservation staff, preservation commission members and historic building owners will all benefit from this hands-on, traditional training event. All skill levels are encouraged to enroll. Bob Yapp, nationally known restoration expert, writer, former PBS host and master carpenter, will lead the workshop.

Download more information here.
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Oct. 18 (10:30 am - 12:00 pm) • Brucemore Autumn Landscape Hike, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Details Location: Brucemore Visitor Center, 2160 Linden Drive SE
Sponsor: Brucemore
Contact: (319) 362-7375
Website: http://www.brucemore.org
Description: Join the Brucemore gardeners on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. for the Autumn Seasonal Landscape Hike. The 90-minute hike starts in the Brucemore Visitor Center and will emphasize the mystique of autumn through the sights and sounds of the Brucemore estate. Experience the rich reds and golds of the estate's changing leaves and the orchard during harvest, all while listening to stories of the Brucemore families. Brucemore Gardeners Deb Engmark and David Morton lead participants off the beaten path into the natural spaces of the 26-acre estate. Gardeners will explore current issues of preservation and public use, as well as the seasonal chores autumn requires. Participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions and seek advice about their own gardens and landscapes.

Admission is $10.00 per person and $7 per Brucemore member. Registration required. Space is limited, call (319) 362-7375 or register online at www.brucemore.org for further information.


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Oct. 21-25 • National Preservation Conference 2008: Preservation in Progress, Tulsa, Oklahoma Details Location: Tulsa Convention Center
Sponsor: National Trust for Historic Preservation
Website: http://www.nthpconference.org/
Description: The National Preservation Conference is the premier preservation conference in the United States for professionals in preservation and allied fields, dedicated volunteers, and serious supporters. It is the single best source for information, ideas, inspiration, and contacts. Tulsa, on historic Route 66, is the location of this year's conference.
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Oct. 23 (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm) • History for Lunch: Barry Landau, Iowa City, Iowa Details Location: Centennial Building, 402 Iowa Avenue (Iowa and Gilbert streets)
Sponsor: State Historical Society of Iowa
Contact: 319-335-3911
Description: IOWA CITY – The State Historical Society's popular "History for Lunch" lecture series continues this month with Barry H. Landau, author of "The President's Table: 200 Years of Dining and Diplomacy."

Landau, one of the foremost collectors of presidential memorabilia and artifacts, will speak at Noon on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, at SHSI's Centennial Building, 402 Iowa Avenue (Iowa and Gilbert streets) in Iowa City. The lecture is free and the public is encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. Call 319-335-3911 for more information.

Landau's collection started after visiting the Eisenhower White House when he was 10 years old, and he has planned historic events with every administration since President Lyndon B. Johnson occupied the Oval Office.

He has been a frequent network commentator on matters relating to the presidency and White House protocol on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN and MSNBC, and has served on numerous presidential commissions.

"The President's Table" is a lavishly illustrated book that provides an insightful and entertaining look at America's dining habits as the nation grew through social and economic change. "The President's Table" will fascinate anyone with an interest in American history and presidential politics.

Landau is president of Barry Landau Productions, a multi-media company, and resides in New York City. He has appeared across the country to promote his book, including an appearance on "MARTHA: The Martha Stewart Show."

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Oct. 25 (1:00 pm - 4:00 pm) • An Afternoon with Frank Lloyd Wright: the Wright Connection, Quasqueton, Iowa Details Location: American Legion Hall, 102 Water Street
Sponsor: Friends of Cedar Rock
Contact: Cedar_Rock@dnr.iowa.gov 319.934.3572
Website: http://www.iowadnr.com/parks/state_park_list/cedar_rock.html
Description: The Friends of Cedar Rock present an Afternoon with Frank Lloyd Wright: the Wright Connection, at the American Legion Hall in Quasqueton, Saturday, October 25, 3008 from 1 to 4pm.

"Louis Sullivan: The Spiritual Leader of the Prairie School" by William Menner. William is author of Louis Sullivan's Merchants National Bank, Executive Director of Poweshiek Iowa Development, and President of Iowa Connections Regional Alliance.

"Marion Mahony Griffin: Prairie School Architect, Master Delineator" by Peggy Bang. Peggy is Visual Arts Instructor at NIACC and co-owner of the Walter Burley Griffin--Marion Mahony Melson House.

Recommended Donation: $7.00.

For additional information, contact the Cedar Rock Visitor Center at (319) 934-3572 or email: Cedar_Rock@dnr.iowa.gov.
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Nov. 1 • Most Endangered Properties 2008 - Deadline for nominations Details Sponsor: IHPA
Contact: Sheriffa Jones sjones@iowalakesrcd.org 712-262-2083
Website: http://www.iowapreservation.org/endangered.php
Description: Do you know a historic building or site that is in danger of being lost? Submit your nominations for IHPA's Most Endangered Properties 2008. Nominations must be postmarked by November 1, 2008.

Iowa's Most Endangered Properties is a program begun in 1995 to show Iowans the special buildings and historic sites that are slowly and gradually slipping away from us. Each year a call is placed for nominations through the IHPA membership, Main Street communities, and historic preservation commissions across the state. A panel of judges considers four criteria in choosing the final list: geographic distribution, historic significance, nature of the threat, and variety of building type. The program provides an excellent resource for media coverage and introduces endangered property owners to preservation advocates and resources that can help preserve their historic property.

Questions may be directed to: George Wakeman (712-251-7732 email:
charles1525@cableone.net) or Sheriffa Jones (712-262-2083 email:
sjones@iowalakesrcd.org)

Download the nominations forms from our Most Endangered web page.
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Nov. 7-19 • Building a Modern Campus: Eliel and Eero Saarinen at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa Details Sponsor: Friends of Drake Arts
Website: https://www.drake.edu/friends/
Description: Fri., Nov. 7-Fri., Nov. 19 Building a Modern Campus: Eliel and Eero Saarinen at Drake University Anderson Gallery, Harmon Fine Arts Center.

Opening reception sponsored by Friends of Drake Arts: Fri., Nov. 7, 5-7 p.m. and gallery walk with Professor Maura Lyons, 6 p.m.

Symposium: Nov. 8, 9 a.m.-noon.


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Dec. 5 • 2009 America's Most Endangered Historic Places® Deadline, Nationwide Details Sponsor: National Trust for Historic Preservation
Website: http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/11-most-endangered/nomination-information/2009-americas
Description: The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting nominations - which can now be submitted online - for its 2009 America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places® list. This annual list highlights important examples of the nation's architectural, cultural and natural heritage that are at risk for destruction or irreparable damage. Nominations are due on Friday, December 5, 2008. The 2009 list will be announced on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

Since 1988, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has used its list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places as a powerful alarm to raise awareness of the serious threats facing the nation's great treasures. It has become one of the most effective tools in the fight to save the country's irreplaceable architectural, cultural, and natural heritage. The list, which has identified 200 sites through 2008, has been so successful in galvanizing preservation efforts across the country and rallying resources to save one-of-kind landmarks that in just two decades, only six sites have been lost.
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Dec. 7 (2:00 pm - 5:00 pm) • Holiday Home Tour, Adel, Iowa Details Sponsor: Adel Historical Museum Committee
Contact: Jan Price donprice555@msn.com 515-993-1032
Description: The Adel Historical Museum Committee will sponsor a Holiday Home Tour Sunday, December 7th at Adel, Iowa from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. There will be 5 homes on the tour at a cost of $6.00. Tickets may be purchased at the museum at 1129 Main Street beginning at 12:00. The brochure containing the ticket will also give directions to the homes. Any questions may be directed to Jan Price, Museum Manager, phone 515-993-1032; email - donprice555@msn.com.

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