Need a program for your group or club?  Contact us to schedule a presentation on museum activities or Ames historical subjects. Presenters make use of visuals and/or artifacts to enliven the presentations.  This list gives some of the possible topics.

 

All the Smoke and Cinders You’ll Ever Want: The Ames & College Railway’s “Dinkey,” 1891-1907

Presenter: Dennis Wendell, Collections Curator

The “Dinkey” carried passengers, mail, freight and building materials between downtown Ames and Iowa Agricultural College for sixteen years during a period of rapid growth of both entities.  This PowerPoint presentation combines dozens of vintage images with anecdotes and facts about the incorporators, route, terminals, rolling stock, passengers, freight, and advertising.  A sole surviving artifact is also shown.

Presentation length: 20 minutes.

 

Footnotes in Ames History

Presenter: Kathy Svec, president

This slide program is an overview of early Ames history that weaves in stories about interesting individuals, colorful events and architectural landmarks, highlighted with interesting small details – such as the cornerstone contents of the building on Main Street now occupied by Lucullan’s restaurant.  It was the first poured concrete structure in Ames, and was built by a local nursery and seed company, Olsan’s.  Audience members will gain an understanding of how Ames was established, and who influenced its early growth.

Presentation length is from 30 to 45 minutes.

 

A  History of the Arts in Ames

Presenter: Kathy Svec, president

Among the first civic arts expenditures in Ames’ early years was a small allotment for a “cornet band.”  As Ames grew and its citizens demanded more performing arts and cultural experiences, facilities had to keep pace.  Creative endeavors in our city have grown hand-in-hand with the expansion of auditoriums and galleries.  This slide show and talk presents a lively look at Ames’ creative side through the course of a hundred plus years.

Presentation length is 30 to 40 minutes.

 

Women in Ames History

Presenter: Kathy Svec, president

This presentation allows the audience to “meet” ten capable and visionary women from different time periods of Ames history.  These women shaped our community with their unique talents – often leading the way for other women to follow.  Especially suitable for smaller groups, this “low tech” program uses large-scale mounted photographs as visuals and is perfect for living rooms and similar small-scale meeting places.  Presentation time is flexible - 20 to 40 minutes.

 

Coming and Going: The Lincoln Highway in Ames

Presenters: Margaret Elbert and Jeff Benson; Lincoln Highway Association members

Between 1913 and 1958 the Lincoln Highway was the most well-known cross-country auto route in the U.S.  It helped change the way Americans viewed auto travel and formed our auto-oriented culture. Ames was transformed as well.  “Coming and Going” describes that transformation with vintage photographs and maps of Ames, taking viewers on a fascinating virtual tour of the Lincoln Highway from 1890 to the 1950s.

 

Mystery Suitcase

Presenter: Kathy Svec, president

A suitcase discovered in Ames 70 years after it was packed is the only remaining clue to a woman’s life.  This “mystery suitcase” provides clues to a persistent historical detective. As the suitcase is opened, the story behind its contents is revealed.

 

One-room Schools

Presenter: Carole Jensen, docent for Hoggatt School

The story of Ames’ first schoolhouse, a one-room log-frame building, is featured as details of its construction, move, restoration, teachers and students are related.  The audience is led through a typical school day in the 1860s with the use of vintage artifacts.

This presentation may be done with or without an accompanying videotape.

Presentation length flexible: 30-45 minutes.