Big as a Barn News: August 2024

Chad Elliott at Wallace Farm

Singer/songwriter/artist Chad Elliott will be performing a FREE concert at the Wallace Farm on Sunday, August 25 at 6 pm (tips will be collected).

The concert is part of Chad's "Paint the Park" art + music project. Earlier that day, Chad will set up his easel at the Farm and create a plein air painting. You're invited to watch him work and ask questions until about an hour before the concert start time.

Pre-order your picnic supper of Turkey, Smoked Gouda + Apple Butter Sandwich, Green Garden Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette and Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for just $15. Reusable water bottles are welcome, but no other outside food or drink. Ala carte drinks will be available to purchase before the show. Bring your lawn chairs!

To-do before school starts

Looking to squeeze in a few more family outings before school begins? Pizza on the Prairie reservations for August 23, 30 & September 6 are now open and there's a smattering of openings still available on August 9 & 16.

Events begin at 5 pm, and you must reserve a specific time slot for pizza orders. Chef Saralyn's weekly menus feature specialty pizzas, sides, desserts and signature cocktails.

Are you available at the last minute? Here's a secret: cancellations often occur on Thursdays and Fridays. If your schedule is flexible, please email Amy to be added to her wait list and she will contact you if spots open up.

Choose from 2 fall Victorian teas

We just added Wednesday, October 23 and Wednesday, November 20 to the program calendar for our new (and very popular) Sherman Hill Victorian Teas.

Held at the Wallace House, the teas take place from 2:30 - 4 pm and include sweet & savory finger foods and 2 kinds of hot tea.

A short program highlights the era during which the Wallace family lived and worked in the neighborhood, 1892-1928. Specific topics might include noteworthy neighbors of the Wallace family, the fascinating history of Center Street, the neighborhood merchants who provided goods and services, or the interesting women who lived in Sherman Hill.

Don't wait to book your spot!

Prairie art from kids of all ages

An observation: our younger Prairie Art artists bring all sorts of freedom and exuberance to their artwork--like this fun example currently on display at the Wallace Farm. Kids of all ages submitted 80+ themed "Prairie Grasses & Flowers" paintings on 2' x 2' plywood boards this year. The boards are sealed and then mounted on fence posts along the one-mile prairie path.

Sponsored by the Knock Family Charitable Fund, the display is open dawn to dusk every day thru October 1. (Please note: buildings and restrooms are typically open M-F 9 am - 4 pm.) There's no charge to view the exhibit. Take a picnic lunch to enjoy or make a reservation for Pizza on the Prairie and view the exhibit during that event.

Fresh from the Farm dinners

Just added! Squash will be the featured ingredient at the Wallace House on Wednesday, November 6 during another Fresh from the Farm dinners. At these special meals, Chef Saralyn carries one ingredient harvested at the Wallace Farm throughout each tasty course and provides some interesting historical content. Detailed menus TBA.

Tomatoes: September 18

Garlic: October 28

Garlic: October 29 (wait list)

Squash: November 6

These dinners are community seating and BYO beer or wine. Reservations open now. See you there!

American Dreamer Online

Watch Iowa actor Tom Milligan portray Henry A. Wallace in the one-act play “American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace”, then stay tuned for expert insight from historians Dr. Pamela Riney-Kehrberg and Dr. Timothy Walch.

Clocking in at 57 minutes, the free program is available to everyone, but history classes, book clubs and study groups may have a particular interest. Simply fill out a short request form on the American Dreamer web page and we'll send you the video link in a few days. A helpful study guide and timeline are also available.

Grants from the Iowa Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area supported this project.

You're invited on August 6

Ann Taylor is stepping down after 18 years of marketing and resource development at WCI and the Wallace House Foundation, one of its predecessors. You're invited to a farewell reception at the Wallace House on Tuesday, August 6, 4 - 6 pm.

Ann's last day will be Friday, August 9. She is transitioning from full-time work to be more available to care for her parents who live near her hometown of Minburn, Iowa.

Can't make it? She'd be glad to hear from you via email or a phone call at 515.243.7063.



A search is currently underway for a new marketing & resource development manager with an announcement expected soon.

Choose from Giving Options

Our work of connecting food, land and people wouldn't be possible without financial help from lots of folks just like you. Can you join them? Two secure online giving options are quick and easy:

• Once you've set up your recurring monthly or annual gift, you can just forget it until you want to make changes. Recurring gifts help us better forecast our contributed income
• Is a one-and-done gift better for you? Click the button and choose "One Time Donation".
• Rather write a check? Mail your gift to WCI, 756 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314. Thank you!

Connect with us!

Visit us online at wallace.org

The Wallace Centers of Iowa

Wallace House: 756 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314

Wallace Farm: 2773 290th Street, Orient, Iowa 50858