Civil War Exhibit Planned at Scholte House

Sept. 15 to Nov. 15

03-23-2012

The Scholte House Museum under the Pella Historical Society will present a special exhibit entitled “THE CIVIL WAR YEARS IN PELLA 1861-1865.  This exhibit has been funded by a grant from the Pella Community Foundation and admission will be FREE.  The exhibit opens September 15th and runs through November 15th, 2012.  The museum is located on the north side of the town square at 728 Washington Street, Pella, Iowa.

The exhibit will cover the activities and events in Pella and the surrounding area in Marion County during the Civil War.  Visitors will leave the exhibit understanding the support of the Union efforts during the war years by Pella and Marion County “volunteers”.  Focus will be on the sacrifices the area citizens gave for the war effort.  Special emphasis will be on the relationship between Dominie Hendrik Pieter Scholte, Pella’s founder, and President Abraham Lincoln.

Proposed displays are as follows:

1.       The “volunteers”, all ten regiments from Marion County and the history of their battles.

2.      Map displays centering on the “volunteers” support of various battles.

3.      Information on Central College’s role in the Civil War.

4.      Original service enlistment documents and original battle signal notes from a Pella Lieutenant.

5.      Children’s “hands on” exhibit portraying the role of the children during the war years.

6.      Exhibit portraying the women’s role during the war years.

7.      History of Abraham Lincoln and Dominie Scholte through a special video and other artifacts.

8.      Various other original Civil War artifacts, ribbons, medals of honor, etc.

9.      Detailed information on “volunteers” in the specific battles of Vicksburg and Shiloh.

A Grand Opening Ceremony will be held at 11:00 am on September 15th on the backstage of the Tulip Toren in Central Park in downtown Pella, Iowa.  Planned events include: a welcoming address , followed by Veterans in Civil War costumes presenting the flags, the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem.  Several dignitaries and keynote speaker, Dr. Ron Rietveld  will be presented, along with the City Band and the Central College chorale singers.  There will be a laying of a wreath at the base of Col. Hobbs Statue followed by a walk to the Scholte House Museum where the Mayor of Pella will officially cut a ribbon opening the Civil War Exhibit.

School groups are invited to attend by calling the museum at 641-628-3684 to schedule a morning date and time.  A special creative writing contest for school children is being planned with prizes such as a Kindle notebook.  Teachers: watch for more details later and mark your calendars to bring your students. 

The Exhibit will be open during regular museum hours of 1:00-4:00 pm, with extended evening hours on Thursdays until 8:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.  We hope you will come see this exciting exhibit commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.