Big as a Barn News: January 2024

Welcome back, Karey!

Join us in welcoming Karey Meysenburg back to the WCI staff! Karey joined the staff in February 2017 as our bookkeeper, handling all the financial details for the organization including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grant funding and donation tracking. She left in July 2022 to care for her first grandchild, Sebastian. She re-joined the staff on December 5 and is working at the Wallace House on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We're so fortunate to have her talents and skills on staff again. Welcome back, Karey!

American Dreamer phase 2

Watch for the roll out of American Dreamer Online! A recent grant from Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area will help us implement phase 2 of this exciting project. Phase 1, supported by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs/Iowa Humanities, recorded Tom Milligan's performance of the "American Dreamer" play about Henry A. Wallace, added scholarly perspectives and developed a written study guide.

Phase 2 will expand the study guide with a biography and timeline of Henry A. Wallace, develop a web-based platform for the program and provide support to program participants. American Dreamer Online will be available at no charge, regardless of group size, location or ability to attend a program in person.

With many thanks

Three members of WCI's board of directors recently stepped down from their positions: Aubrey Alvarez of Ankeny, Sarah Bunch of Des Moines and Karla Walsh, also from Des Moines

"We thank Karla, Aubrey and Sarah for their dedication to the work and the mission of WCI," commented Deb Houghtaling, President & CEO. "They have all been great advocates and change-makers for the organization, helping WCI to make new connections in the community. Their years of service and support are much appreciated and we look forward to continuing to work with them in different ways."

Need a group service project?

If your group or club is looking for a service project, we might have just the thing!

We're looking for some help prepping our annual Prairie Art Exhibit. Community artists of all ages and skill levels paint a 2' x 2' board with their interpretation of our theme. Each board needs to be primed on both sides and all the edges before the artist can begin their work. About 90 boards are prepared each year for the artists and need to be ready by April 1. Primer and brushes will be provided. Interested? Please email Amy Zellweger at the Wallace Farm for details.

The Prairie Art Exhibit is one of our most popular programs. We estimate that more than 2,000 people each year walk the one mile prairie path and admire the 80+ themed paintings on display.

Stay tuned for tea

Watch your email for news about our 2024 Hearts & Homes Historic Teas at the Wallace House. We'll be announcing all the details including dates, pricing, menus and reservation instructions.

The program features excerpts from the Hearts & Homes women's column published in Wallaces' Farmer magazine during the time that Nancy Cantwell Wallace edited the section, 1895 - 1909. Nancy relied on her readers for much of the column's content including household advice and tips, observations about daily life and opinions about issues of the day.

Start the new year with a recurring gift

January is a great time to begin a recurring gift to WCI! Monthly giving breaks down a larger gift into more budget-friendly chunks and eliminates writing a check while still providing your support. Once your monthly gift transaction is set up, you don't have to do anything else until you want to make changes. Monthly gifts provide WCI with a consistent revenue stream so we can better manage our budget. Visit our Support page and choose "Monthly".

Connect with us!

Visit us online at wallace.org

The Wallace Centers of Iowa

Wallace House: 756 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314

Wallace Farm: 2773 290th Street, Orient, Iowa 50858