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Mulberry Center programs for 2017 season revealed

Presentations on Ding Darling, Harry Truman, Lewis and Clark, a Civil War debate to be featured

A series of historical and educational programs will once again be held at the Mulberry Center Church at Wilson Brewer Park. Four programs are set for the 2017 season, according to officials with the Webster City Department of Recreation and Public Grounds.

The programs are: 

• The Art of Conservation: A Visit with Ding Darling; Saturday, May 20, at 1 p.m.

In this 45-minute presentation, Tom Milligan, Humanities Iowa professional actor from the Amana Colonies, will portray Jay N. “Ding” Darling. Beginning with Darling’s early years in Sioux City as a young boy, to developing skills as an editorial cartoonist, Milligan recalls “Ding” Darling’s remarkable life journey. Milligan will continue to unfold the story to include two Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoons for the Des Moines Register and a remarkable career as a nationally known conservationist. From the introduction of The Duck Stamp to the creation of the National Wildlife Federation, Darling’s influence was felt not only through his cartoons, but his actions. • Point/Counterpoint: Was the Civil War Necessary? Saturday, June 24, 1 p.m.

Humanities Iowa Presenters, Dr. Tom Morain and Dr. William Juhnke in debate format ore several of the contentious issues leading up to the first shots of the Civil War fired on Fort Sumter in 1861.

They ask hard questions: Was it really an “irrepressible conflict” or could bolder political proposals have averted the bloodshed that cost 600,000 Americans their lives? What options did Lincoln have as President-elect when South Carolina voted to secede from the Union? Why did each side underestimate their opponents’ determination to fight? Morain and Juhnke invite the public into the debate as they explore the tense political climate of 1860-61 and demonstrate how historians can disagree without being disagreeable

• Lewis and Clark in Iowa; Saturday, July 22, 1 p.m.

Humanities Iowa Presenter, Donald G. Shurr begins before the expedition with the story about the sale of the Louisiana Purchase to the United States.

Tracing the 1803 course from Elizabeth, Pennsylvania to St. Charles, Missouri, Shurr discusses the background of the many “players” of the expedition including York, the engages, and Seaman. Moving up the Missouri River focus shifts to events occurring in Iowa, such as, the death of Sgt. Floyd. An accompanying Power Point presentation shows the keelboat and the pirogues with actual photos taken in St. Charles and at the Onawa Lewis and Clark State Park. Donald G. Shurr will be in full costume during the program and will bring books, artifacts and pelts for viewing. The audience will be exposed to the many “firsts” that occurred in Iowa, the true peril of this journey, and the return of Lewis and Clark to civilization at journey’s end.

• Harry Truman’s Whistle-Stop at Dexter, Iowa – 1948; Saturday, Aug. 19, 1 p.m.

Rod Stanley, historian and presenter will provide a presentation as to how a candidate everyone thought was certain to lose the election, Harry S. Truman, decided to take his candidacy to the people via train. Truman was met by ten acres of humanity, estimated at 100,000 people in a field near Dexter, Iowa on September 18, 1948. The occasion was the National Plowing Match. The whistle-stop speech was broadcast nationally. It is credited with turning around Harry Truman’s presidential campaign and causing the greatest election upset in American history. And it happened in Iowa.

All of the programs are free of charge.

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