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About the Exhibition
Morrill Act of
July 2, 1862
Land Grant Act and
the People's College
March 22, 2008 though
April 27, 2008
at the Christian Petersen Art Museum
Exhibition is free and open to the public.
The
University Museums,
Iowa
State
University
will present the original Morrill
Act of
July
2, 1862
signed by President Abraham Lincoln on exhibition, from March 22-
April 27, 2008
at the new
Christian
Petersen
Art Museum
located in the restored and renovated historic Morrill Hall on the
central campus of
Iowa
State
University
,
Ames
,
Iowa
. This exhibition is a part of the
Christian
Petersen
Art Museum
’s inaugural year schedule, also coinciding with
Iowa
State
University
’s Sesquicentennial Celebrations. The Act is graciously loaned by
the National Archives
and Records Administration in
Washington
D.C.
Iowa
State
was founded on
March 22, 1858
and was known as the
Iowa
State
Agricultural
College
and Model Farm. On
September 11, 1862
, the Iowa Legislature voted to accept the provisions of the first Morrill
Act becoming the first state in the nation to accept the Act’s
provisions. Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts
received the Morrill Act
designation of a land-grant college on
March 27, 1864
. The college was
founded on the ideals that higher education should be accessible to
all and that the college should teach liberal and practical
subjects. These ideals are still integral to the contemporary
land-grant university.
In
celebration of
Iowa
State
University
’s Sesquicentennial year (2007-2008) University Museums will
curate an exhibition focusing on the University’s history as a
land-grant institution and the overall impact of the Morrill Act.
The exhibition focuses on the role of higher education; the
democratic society as an outcome of educational opportunity;
American notions of personal improvement and opportunity through
education; equality and access to education; and, the function of
education and its economic obligations as a result of practical
applications.
This
exhibition will consist of: the original Morrill Act; historical and
artistic objects; quotes; timelines; illustrations; maps; and
photographs that will explore the correlation of the events and
history that lead to the transformation and evolution of Iowa State
University. Incorporated in the exhibition will be images and text
highlighting specific key events, people, and academic contributions
occurring between 1860 through 2008. Other historic events such as
the Civil War, the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, and life in
Iowa
in the 1860s and 1870s will be highlighted. Discussion on the
politics behind the Act, and the formation of the Act in general
will be presented.
 As
the Morrill Act of 1862
is integral to the philosophy and establishment of
land-grant colleges/universities across the country and specifically
to the establishment of
Iowa
State
University
as a land-grant institution, we believe a major focal point for this
historic exhibition should be this original document.
The Act was last on exhibit at the
National Archives in 1979 and it has never
been exhibited outside of
Washington
DC. By making this
historically important document accessible to the Iowa
State
University
community and the citizens of Iowa, we hope to build public awareness of the land-grant mission and
the historical background that led to its passage. Today, Iowa
State
University
continues to strive to be the best land-grant university in the
nation by continuing its land-grant traditions and redefining its
land-grant mission for the future.
The
University Museums welcome partnerships and participation from all
interested parties, especially educational institutions.
Partnerships can include curriculum development, tours, programs,
and other recommended activities. We hope to provide many tours to
Iowa Stater’s and to school age children, so that they may come to
respect the processes of government, the power of legislation, and
the belief in the importance of an education for all.
The
historic, original Morrill Act
of July 2, 1862 is
graciously loaned by the National Archives,
Washington
D.C.
The exhibition is organized by the University Museums, with major
funding generously provided by the Iowa State University Foundation,
and additional support from the University Museums, the Department
of Public Safety, and Business and Finance, Iowa State University.
The exhibition curatorial team is Carole Custer, Thomas Morain,
Dorothy Schwieder, Allison Sheridan, Jerome Thompson, Tanya
Zanish-Belcher and Lynette Pohlman; the exhibition was project
managed by Allison Sheridan.
Hours
(during the run of the exhibition)
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for VEISHEA
Education
Programs
Sunday, March 30,
2008 2pm at the Christian
Petersen Art Museum
Jerome Thompson—Two
Sheets of Paper, One BIG Idea
The Morrill Act of 1862 is
considered by some to be one of the most important legislative
documents in American history. Jerome Thompson, state curator for
the State Historical Society of Iowa, will explain this document and
accompanying exhibition and offer insight concerning the
significance of an act that changed the nation.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
at 7pm at the Christian
Petersen Art Museum
The Early Years at Iowa
State
Experience an Iowa State
before paved roads and telephone service. Learn what college was
like for the first students and faculty that called Iowa State their
home. Tanya Zanish-Belcher of Parks Library’s Special Collections
department will share her knowledge of early campus life and give
visitors and understanding of just how far we’ve come. Doors open
to the Christian Petersen Art Museum at 6:30pm.
Sunday, April 6, 2008 2pm at
the Christian
Petersen Art Museum
Dorothy Schwieder—Why
Iowa?
Many may know that Iowa State
was the first college in the nation to accept the terms of the Morrill
Act, the legislation that began land-grant institutions and
changed higher education forever. What may still be a mystery is…
why? Dr. Dorothy Schwieder, historian, author, and Iowa State
professor emeritus, will explain the political climate and physical
circumstances that led to a national first.
Thursday, April 10, 2008 7pm
at the Christian
Petersen Art Museum
Morrill by Moonlight
Join University Museums staff
at the Christian Petersen Art Museum for an evening look at the Morrill
Act of 1862. Afterward, follow your tour guide to a few
historically significant spots on campus to receive a new
perspective of the Iowa State you thought you knew. Doors open to
the Christian Petersen Art Museum at 6:30pm.
Thursday, April 24, 2008 7pm
at the Christian
Petersen Art Museum
Film - Democracy’s
College
Democracy’s College, a film
celebrating Iowa State’s centennial, traces the development of
Iowa State College as a land grant institution. The film provides a
re-enactment of Benjamin Gue’s speech to the Iowa legislature for
establishment of a college "open to all". It includes
comments from James H. Hilton, president of Iowa State, on the land
grant mission of the university. The film is approximately 25 min.
in length and will be shown in the Auditorium of Morrill Hall, 2nd
floor. Museum doors will open at 6:30pm, film will begin at 7:00pm
in the Auditorium.
Sunday, April 27,
2008 2pm at the Christian
Petersen Art Museum
Sesquicentennial Jeopardy
Why not visit the Christian
Petersen Art Museum for a test of your Sesquicentennial knowledge?
The audience will be invited to join in on the fun as we play a
round of Jeopardy with special visitors and categories that include
The 1800’s Entrance Exam, Favorite Firsts, and of course,
Potpourri. Don’t worry—answering in the form of a question is
encouraged, not required!
Contacts
General
Information 515.294.9500 or
museums@iastate.edu
Tours 515.294.4442 or
ajhall@iastate.edu
To
arrange a tour of the Brunnier
Art Museum,
Christian Petersen Art Museum, Farm
House Museum, or Art
on Campus Collection,
please
fill out our the University Museums online
Tour Request Form and email to
ajhall@iastate.edu.
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