In Trunks, Hands, and Hearts: What Immigrants Bring to Iowa

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library invites visitors to explore and celebrate immigration to Iowa in a new exhibition, In Trunks, Hands, and Hearts: What Immigrants Bring to Iowa.

Iowa has become home to thousands of immigrants since the state first opened to settlers. This display, consisting of seven banners, explores immigration through the objects, skills, and traditions that were and are brought. Thirteen Iowa museums and organizations shared stories, artifacts, and historic photos for this traveling banner display. The themes explored include “Leaving,” “Journey,” Trunks,” “Hands,” “Hearts,” and “Home.”

The exhibition was created by Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa, and is sponsored by Humanities Iowa, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Edwin R. and Joan T. Hemphill.

Public collections from throughout Iowa that shared artifacts, images, and stories include: the NCSML in Cedar Rapids, Ames Historical Society, German American Heritage Center in Davenport, Iowa Jewish Historical Society in Waukee, Luther College Anthropology Collection in Decorah, Mother Mosque of America in Cedar Rapids, Museum of Danish America in Elkhorn, Pella Historical Society and Museums in Pella, Putnam Museum in Davenport, Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines, and Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah.