Since I’m not an Iowa native, I didn’t grow up visiting the State of Iowa Historical Building or the Iowa Capitol on countless school trips, and for one reason or another, I’d never gotten around to going. That is, until recently.
Before the haze of hectic holiday plans hit, I took the afternoon to explore the Historical Building and visit its temporary Hollywood in the Heartland exhibit. Ogle at the Academy Awards of Donna Reed and Cloris Leachman (as well as Ashton Kutcher’s Teen Choice Award) along with movie memorabilia from Iowa classics like Field of Dreams, The Music Man and The Bridges of Madison County. And learn about the historic movie theaters that served as cornerstones for communities across the state.
I particularly enjoyed the different themed sections of the exhibit where you could watch parts of your favorite classics and leave Post-It Notes about what makes them special to Iowans.
So what’s stopping you? The museum is free and has countless other interesting exhibits about Iowa’s past and present. And you’ve got plenty of time—Hollywood in the Heartland will be on exhibit through late 2016.
Iowa Historical Building, 600 E. Locust in Des Moines, Iowa