Rare tours of artifacts in State Historical collection

For the first time in its 114 years, the State Historical Museum in Des Moines is opening its subterranean corridors to the public for tours. Curators are leading the tours through the Historical Museum’s vault, an underground climate-controlled preservation center. Anita Walker, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, says there are more than 100,000 artifacts in the permanent collection. Items include old cars, an Iowa State Highway Patrol motorcycle, antique pianos and neon signs. From Civil War battle flags to the first Iowa Lottery wheel to a log cabin and a stuffed rooster, Walker says everyone can find something of interest. Only about ten-percent of the museum’s items can go on display at any one time and the archives are constantly being updated. She says there are two basic reasons why the 28,000 square foot basement is being opened to the public for these tours. People have been asking for the chance to peek into the museum’s basement to see things from previous exhibits. Walker says it’s also important for people to know how wide a collection of historical items the museum has which are being preserved for future generations. The museum collection was established in 1892. For more information, surf to “www.iowahistory.org”