A multi-media exhibit on Iowa’s role in the Civil War opens today at the State Historical Museum of Iowa.

The new exhibit covers 10,000 square feet and includes “more than 300 artifacts and documents” from the Civil War period. Dar Danielson previewed the opening in a two-part report for Radio Iowa. From part one:

“Iowa contributed thousands of troops, 50 some units, regiments or utility batteries. And sure paid a dear price, about 8,000 killed, which was a big percentage for the population at that time,” [museum history curator Jack] Luftkin says. Luftkin says the exhibit shows several issues from the Iowa perspective.

“It’s not like linear in chronological order…like a book would be. And the subjects are really those that would have been from Iowa’s perspective, what was important to Iowa and Iowans, politically or socially or militarily or economically…” Luftkin explains. “So you start and you walk in and you see what Iowa was like in the 1860′s – sort of get a sense of what would have been found in people’s homes, what kind of jobs they would have had, that kind of thing.”

There’s a variety of the tools of war at the time on display, from cannons, rifles and handguns – to military uniforms and tattered battle flags. Luftkin says all the artifacts are part of the state’s collection. New technology is also featured along with the 150-year-old items, including a large video touch screen where kids can sit and teachers can move through information on various topics.

From part two:

Another exhibit shows how military hospitals were developed.

“It’s called ‘Hospital Horrors, Civil War Medicine,’ which is almost a contradiction in terms. I mean they didn’t know about how to fight bacteria…all that was coming. Antibiotics weren’t known and heard of, so doctors would operate and they wouldn’t even wash their hands, they didn’t know it was important to do. So we have these horrible surgical kits,” Luftkin explains.

One area focuses on the battles where Iowans played a prominent role. […]

State Historical Museum director, Susan Kloewer, says the artifacts in the displays are supported by modern technology. “We have a variety of different digital viewers that are exploring the topics a little bit further, so that way you can visualize it as you are viewing the artifacts,” Kloewer says.

There is also audio that includes popular music from the time. It’s not all look and listen, as Kloewer says they have several interactive events planned too. They include making hard tack, and watching Civil War reenactors in the camp life area.

I can’t wait to get down to see this show. Special events featuring speakers about various aspects of Civil War social history are scheduled for later this spring, summer, and fall.

Admission is free to the historical building, and the permanent exhibits are worth your time as well. Almost everything at the museum is child-friendly. People who grew up in central Iowa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s will enjoy seeing the puppet and other memorabilia from Duane Ellett’s “Floppy Show” in the atrium area on the ground floor. On-street parking near the museum is free on weekends. Address and museum hours:

State of Iowa Historical Building (Des Moines)

600 East Locust

Des Moines, Iowa, 50319

515-281-5111

State Historical Museum

9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday

Noon – 4:30 p.m. Sunday

Closed official state holidays