Wednesday, April 24, 2013

History of 4-H in Story County

The Iowa 4-H Foundation began encouraging the writing of 4-H History with their Centennial in 2001.  In 2011 they began making these available online as a blog.  This page contains links to the history by County in Iowa.  There are currently 44 counties histories available.

The History of 4-H in Story County is one of these.  It describes the history by decade and then special projects such as the Story County 4-H Foundation, the Inspiration Program, and the Story County 4-H Fair.  You can find out more from the Story County 4-H History Committee.  Contact details:

Story County 4-H History Committee
Carolyn Manning
211 Valley View Circle
Nevada, IA 50201
515-382-6616
cmann@midiowa.net
ISU Extension and Outreach - Story County
220 H Ave, Nevada, IA 50201

Current Story County 4-H Highlights and Events are also available online.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

STORY COUNTY SESQUICENTENNIAL EVENT AT NEVADA COMMEMORATING THE CIVIL WAR ON FLAG DAY

On Flag Day, June 14, 2013, a ceremony commemorating the original dedication of two important Story County Civil War artifacts will be held in Nevada. The U.S. is observing the sesquicentennial of the Civil War from 2011 through 2015.

A cannon and bronze tablet, long a part of Story County history, will be re-dedicated at noon in front of the Story County Administration Building, 900 Sixth Street, Nevada.

The cannon is a Confederate Parrott 3-inch cannon that was placed in front of the old courthouse in 1901 by the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic). The tablet, mounted on granite, features a profile of President Abraham Lincoln and the words of the Gettysburg Address. It was dedicated on Flag Day 1930 by the WRC (Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic).

SUVCW (Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War) re-enactors will take part in the ceremony that will also honor Jason Devillo Ferguson, Story County's first hero of the Civil War. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Shiloh, 6 April 1862, where he is buried. Both the GAR Post #31 and the WRC Post #147 are named in his honor. These organizations donated the historic cannon and tablet to the county.

All Civil War 452 Story County enlistees, the 85 soldiers who lost their lives due to the conflict and the 511 veterans who found their final resting place in Story County will be honored.

Lieutenant Colonel Todd M. Jacobus of the Iowa Guard will speak, members of the Ames Children's Choir will lead the national anthem, and President Lincoln will honor us with a recitation of his Gettysburg Address.

The Iowa Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee has endorsed this event and the use of its special logo. It is hoped the event will be designated a National Sesquicentennial Signature Event as well. The public is invited to this free event. And, please bring your lawn chair.

The event is supported by National Woman's Relief Corps, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Story County Board of Supervisors, Story County Veterans Affairs, Iowa Genealogical Society, Ames Historical Society, Cambridge Historical Association, Gilbert Historical Society, Huxley Historical Society, Kelley Historical Hall, Maxwell Community Historical Society, Nevada Community Historical Society, Slater Area Historical Association, Roland Historical Society, Story City Historical Society, Story County Historical Alliance and Story County Genealogical Society.

For a day-to-day history of the Civil War, go to www.civilwar150.org  More information, call 515.460.8304 or gretchen.triplett@gmail.com

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Ames Historical Society Lecture - April 30, 2013

The last Ames Historical Society 2013 Lecture Series program will be April 30, 2013 with a lecture titled "By the Side of the Road: The Lincoln Highway in Ames" presented by Lincoln Highway historian Jeff Benson. The lecture begins at 7 pm at City Auditorium (520 6th Street). This lecture is co-sponsored by the Ames Historic Preservation Commission. Admission is free. See the full Lecture Series lineup.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Story City Spring Dinner and Presentation on Hank Severeid - April 23, 2013

Stop by the Carriage House Museum for the Story City Historical Society's Spring Dinner and Presentation. A ballpark themed free-will offering dinner will be provided, including grilled hot dogs, pretzel bites, popcorn, and dessert. Local resident and baseball enthusiast Dwayne Fiihr will give a presentation on Story City's own Hank Severeid and his long career in baseball. If you want to know more about Hank, come on over to the Carriage House Museum to learn more about this great catcher from Story City!

Dinner will be served from 5:30-6:30pm
Welcome and announcements 6:30pm
Presentation by Dwayne Fiihr 6:40pm

We look forward to seeing you on the 23rd!