Northeast Iowa – Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) has awarded
$10,160 in grants though the 2011 Intern Grant Program; helping five SSNHA Partner Sites
hire college interns this summer. The Intern Grant Program assists designated Partner Sites
by covering up to 70% of an intern’s wage. Intern projects will focus on preserving and telling
stories related to American agriculture and include:
Froelich General Store & Tractor Museum, Froelich, $1,680
Home of the first gas-powered tractor, the intern will research the history of buildings
on the museum grounds to create interpretive panels around each buildings unique
story.
Grout Museum District, Waterloo, $2,170
The intern will gather information on local farmers to develop an upcoming exhibit
around current farming practices within the Heritage Area, entitled: It’s Not Your
Grandparent’s Farm.
Hurstville Interpretive Center, Maquoketa, $1,838
In partnerships with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the intern will plant a
pollinator garden and create educational curriculum for 2011 summer camps. The
intern will also research two small communities near historical sites owned by the
Jackson County Conservation Board.
Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids, $2,340
A traditional Native-American garden will be planted by the intern to be used as part of
summer camp curriculum. The intern will also help facilitate camp field trips to local
farms near the nature center.
Living History Farms, Urbandale, $2,133
Working as a costumed interpreter, the intern will spend the summer teaching visitors
about pioneer life while completing chores on an authentic recreation of an historic
farmstead.
“We are excited to be able to once again offer this program and would like to congratulate
each of these sites for their dedication to preserving and telling the story of American
agriculture to visitors of all ages,” said Don Short, SSNHA President.
Internships will begin in May and continue throughout summer. For more information on
specific projects or internship opportunities, please contact the individual organizations listed
above. The Intern Grant Program is part of the SSNHA Education Scholarship Fund, which
supports education programs for students of all ages. To learn more about the program,
contact Angi Reid, Education & Interpretation Manager, at 319-234-4567.
SSNHA is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is Affiliated Area of
the National Park Service. The Heritage Area covers 37 counties in the northeast quadrant of
Iowa. Interstate 80 borders it on the south and Interstate 35 borders it on the west. Through a
network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA interprets farm life, agribusiness, and rural
communities—past and present. To learn more about Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage
Area, please visit www.silosandsmokestacks.org.
Topics: Press Releases
Related Attractions:
Froelich General Store and Tractor Museum
24397 Froelich Rd
Froelich, IA
563-536-2841
