News : Benton County Historical Society hosts traveling Civil War exhibit October 27

State Historical Museum’s “The Fiery Trial: Iowa and the Civil War”

The Benton County Historical Society will host a free traveling Civil War exhibit from the Department of Cultural Affairs Saturday October 27, 2012. The trailer will be on display at the Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton from 11:00 to 4:00, in conjunction with the re-dedication of the Civil War Monument.

Presented by EMC Insurance Companies, “The Fiery Trial: Iowa and the Civil War” is housed in a 32-foot trailer that travels to local museums, libraries, schools and other venues across the state to serve Iowans in their communities.

The exhibit is part of DCA’s “History on the Move” educational outreach program, which began more than two years ago with an exhibit about President Abraham Lincoln’s ties to Iowa. That exhibit served more than 25,000 Iowans in their communities last year.

Last year, with the support of EMC Insurance Companies, and continued support from Union Pacific Foundation, the State Historical Museum transformed the trailer into “The Fiery Trial.”

The free exhibit includes:

A visual time line of Iowa’s participation in the Civil War.

* Exhibits about Iowans and their Civil War experiences.

* Information about Annie Wittenmyer, a Sanitation Agent for Iowa who oversaw the needs of Union Army soldiers.

* The impact of the Civil War on Iowa.

* The role Iowa played in the Civil Rights movement when it approved the right to vote for African-Americans.

* A computer program that allows visitors to research Civil War ancestors by person, town, township or congressional district. More information about the State Historical Society of Iowa is available at www.iowahistory.org.

In addition, the Benton County Historical Society will have “Profiles of Valor: Iowa’s Medal of Honor Recipients of the Civil War” by Sen. Dennis Black and “Outside In: African-American History in Iowa, 1838-2000” available for visitors.