The influence of German immigrants on Iowa’s culture and history are the focus of a display coming to the Hausbarn Heritage Park in Manning later this month. From Wednesday, June 21 through Tuesday, July 4, the “German Iowa and the Global Midwest” traveling display will showcase 12 panels of information with added details about local connections. The display will describe the contributions that German culture has made to Iowa, particularly in Carroll County, which boasts the fifth largest German population in Iowa’s 99 counties. The community of Manning, in particular the Hausbarn, is the ideal location to share the lasting impact the German immigrants made in our area. Hausbarn volunteer, Nancy Stammer, says the community worked to promote the German connection by bringing in and reconstructing an original 1660s Hausbarn for visitors to be able to see how people shared living space with livestock and equipment in the barn. The park also features the 1915 Leet-Hassler farmstead and the Trinity Church, which were constructed by German craftsmen. “The construction of these buildings is phenomenal,” Stammer says. “Every building in the park is a tribute to the workmanship of our German ancestors.” The traveling exhibit will be available for free during regular park hours on Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with the exception of Saturday, June 24. Admission to the park, however, is $6 for adults and $3 for children six to 12 years old. Other special events have been planned in conjunction with the traveling display. A full listing of those can be found below.
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Special Events:
• Tuesday and Wednesday, June 20-21. Area teachers attending professional development training at the IKM-Manning School are invited to a guided tour of the Park at 3:45 pm for $3. Educational materials will be available.
• Wednesday, June 21. “German Iowa and the Global Midwest” traveling exhibit arrives. Local displays to be set up.
• Wednesday, June 21. The Konferenz Centre Bar will be open from 3-6 pm.
• Saturday, June 24. Traveling exhibit and displays will NOT be shown. The Park, however, will be open for visitors.
• Sunday, June 25. Traveling exhibit and displays resume from 1-4 pm.
• Sunday, June 25. A play called Here, I’m Hank will be held from 2-4 pm at the Konferenz Centre at the Hausbarn-Heritage Park. No fee for the play; a free will offering will be taken for a dessert bar held after the show.
• Thursday, June 29. Stein painting class with Kelsey Hipnar from 4-7 pm. Drop in and work on your own time. Steins range in price from $18 to $25.
• Thursday, June 29. The Konferenz Centre Bar will be open from 3 until painters are done.
• Sunday, July 1. Guided tour of the Hausbarn-Heritage Park will be given at 1:30 pm. $7 per person.
• Wednesday, July 4. Final day of the traveling exhibit and displays. Guided tour of the Hausbarn-Heritage Park will be given at 10:15 am. $7 per person.
