(Iowa Govenor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Govenor Adam Gregg, and Stefanie Wager)
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds joined other state officials today (Tuesday) to encourage teachers and parents to utilize the Iowa Historical Society's on-line collections, to help them meet new K-12 history education requirements, going into effect by 2020.
Funds from a Library of Congress grant have been used to digitize millions of documents and photographs in the state's collection. Iowa Cultural Affairs Director Mary Cownie told a news conference at the Iowa State Fair today (Tuesday) that the items are part of an on-line "treasure-trove" of Iowa history.
Cownie says for example, students can learn about Iowa's role in the underground railroad, and numerous famous politicians including former President Herbert Hoover.
Stefanie Wager is a social studies consultant in the Iowa Department of Education, and says the new standards will mean Iowa students will get wide exposure to Iowa history. She notes teachers and parents could find many useful resources through the State's historical collection.
The news conference was held at the Iowa State Fair, in front of the Iowa Historical Society's mobile history museum, an RV that has traveled to 23 Iowa counties so far.