Fall 2019

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Finding Your NICHE
Regional Focus: Central Iowa
Central Iowa is home to the Des Moines metro area and a
plethora of things to do! With the State Capitol Building,
museums, natural areas, and fun places like Adventure-
land, there are plenty of things to do. Because these two regions
run together a bit with the sprawl of Des Moines, we will just be
sharing what there is to do by category rather than breaking it out
by region for this issue of the magazine!
ARTS:
Explore the arts and history at the Des Moines Art Center. The
permanent collection includes works from Georgia O’Keefe, Jean
Dubuffet, and Francis Bacon. Also, in the heart of Des Moines, you
can visit the 4.4-acre John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
If you are interested in performance arts, you can see a variety
of shows at the Des Moines Civic Center, listen to an opera at the
Metro Opera, or enjoy some classical music with the Des Moines
Symphony. The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents a wide
variety of performances, including their “Friday Funday” series of
interactive shows for younger children.
GOVERNMENT:
Iowa State Capitol: Either during the legislative session or the qui-
et summer hours, the Iowa State Capitol Building is a must-see for
Iowa students. Get in on a guided tour for a trip to the top dome and
all the unique aspects of the building. Plan to come to the Capitol
on March 16th for Homeschool Iowa Capitol Day.
While learning about Iowa’s government, visit Terrace Hill, which
has been called “home” by five Iowa governors and their families.
The Terrace Hill governor’s residence is recognized as one of the
most accessible governor’s homes in the country.
HISTORY:
Salisbury House & Gardens in Des Moines is inspired fromEnglish
castles with architectural features that reflect elements from the fif-
teenth through seventeenth centuries. You will see an impressive
collection of artifacts, art work, and furniture displayed throughout
the tour.
The State Historical Museum of Iowa highlights early geological
state history through current affairs. A younger children’s play area
makes this stop perfect for all ages.
One of the most unique historical hands-on experiences in the
metro is Living History Farms, where volunteers and staff reenact
everyday life from the 1700’s Ioway Indian farm to the 1875 town
of Walnut Hill.
The Jordan House highlights the story of James Jordan and his
family whomoved toWest Des Moines in 1848. He became a prom-
inent Iowa leader and the “chief conductor” of the Underground
Railroad in Polk County.
The Wells Fargo History Museum offers over a dozen interactive
hands-on displays that will keep visitors busy for more than an
hour. Their most famous display is the interactive stage coach. Chil-
dren can dress up in period costumes, ride inside the coach while
watching a video about 1800’s travel, or try their hand at holding
leather reins and driving.
The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum houses an impressive col-
lection of retired military vehicles, a large gun display room, and
several hands-on activities dating back from our country’s earliest
wars. Staffed by some of our finest veterans, students can gain in-
side information during a guided tour.
Another great museum to visit is the Kate Shelley Museum in
Moingona where you can learn about the teenage Iowa farmgirl
who bravely crawled across a train trestle during a raging storm to
ensure that a passenger train would stop before trying to cross a
bridge that had already collapsed in the storm.
In Boone, you can visit the Mamie Doud Eisenhower birthplace.
The museum has heirlooms from both the Eisenhower and Carlson
family, including the classic Chrysler Windsor sedan that belonged to
the Carlson family and Mamie Eisenhower’s 1962 Plymouth Valiant.
SCIENCE:
A unique opportunity in Des Moines is the Apple Store, which
offers unique field trips for students and teachers. There are several
different trip themes and topics based on the needs of each stu-
dent group, including: movie making, coding, robotics, and more.
Shellie
Region 9
Homeschool Iowa
Regional
Representatives:
Have Questions? Need Resources?
Reach out to your Regional Rep!
Find out more on our website:
Christine
Region 14