June 21, 2011
You might ask how Herbert Hoover connects to my project. He does and he doesn’t. My trip could also be titled: Every Place Mom Wanted to Stop but Nobody Else Wanted to See. Actually, he connects in that one of his legacies he gave to our nation was organizing a major food relief operation to the people of Belgium during WWI. In return, the women of Belgium used the relief flour sacks to create needlework art. Some pieces were sold, some were sent to the milling companies in the Allied nations that provided the grain as a token of thanks. Eventually, some 450 embroidered sacks were sent to Herbert Hoover to thank him for his humanitarian relief efforts. Many of these sacks are now on permanent display in the presidential museum. The women were very creative as they tried to make do with their limited resources.
Hoover had a very unique and interesting life. Once he became President he made it a priority to purchase his boyhood home and began purchasing the surrounding acreage as it became available. The National Park Service did the same upon his death. The library-museum compound now consists of his restored boyhood home, school, meetinghouse (Quaker), blacksmith shop (his father’s), a rather large park (maybe 75 acres), the graves of Hoover and his wife, and an 81 acre restored prairie.
Highlights of his life include being a geological engineer. He was known as a “doctor of sick mines” and worked as a mining engineer in Australia. He made a great deal of money and was a millionaire by the age of 40. He then began his career in public service. He played key roles in the American Relief Administration (WWI) as well as, CARE, and UNICEF. Unfortunately, he was also the standing President of the United States on October 29, 1929, which appears to be the legacy that we remember.
The grounds are beautiful and really set the tone for what rural life was like in Iowa years ago. I did see a pair of great horned owls on the property. The ranger told me that this was the second year that they have had nesting owls in the park. After a windstorm this spring, they found two nestlings on the ground with the remains of their nest. They contacted owl experts who said it was imperative that they put the birds back into the tree. They suggested a milk crate stuck up in the nest’s former location. This is what they did—the crate remains in the tree and the nestlings are now quite large and can often be seen roosting on the cupola of the Presidential Library.
The Tallgrass Prairie Restoration made me feel like a pioneer walking across the prairie. It was beautiful! Unfortunately, the whine of tires from I-80 and seeing McDonalds in the distance ruined the moment, but also reminded me of the why prairies like this need to be restored.
Who would have thought that he had a sewing connection!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea for the title of the trip!!! So funny. That's how my house operates, too. :)
ReplyDeleteHave you read Sandra Dallas's book, TALLGRASS? It takes place in that area. It's about the Japanese encampment that was in the Midwest during WWII. Strange to think of a McD's there. America needs to respect our treasures, including our land and people who sought to make a difference--not just here, but in the world (like Herbert Hoover). I am touched by the story of his humanitarian efforts; there just isn't enough of that modeled in our world these days.
That's so interesting about the owls. I have always loved birds and been fascinated by them; however, just lately, I have been focused on learning more about owls. Thanks for sharing that!