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Bus-eum exhibit “At Home in the Heartland: How Midwesterners Got to Be ‘Us,” visits Waldorf College

Photo by Kevin Moore

TRACES Bus-eum visited the Waldorf College campus bringing history of Midwestern life. Photo by Kevin Moore

By Kevin Moore

On November 18, TRACES Bus-eum exhibit titled,“At Home in the Heartland: How Midwesterners Got to Be ‘Us’,” came to Waldorf College for a one day showing.

The Bus-eum featured 18 different historical panels, as well as glass displays filled with memorabilia relating to Midwestern life, and how its history.

Students and community members were able to tour the bus, and learn things about Midwestern life they may not have previously known.

“A traveling museum like the Bus-eum on a small college such as ours is significant,” said Admissions Counselor and Adjunct History Professor Kevin Mason. “It provides students with real links to history that aren’t always readily available in a small community like Forest City.”

The Bus-eum has been traveling all over the Midwest to different communities and colleges since 2006, spreading the history of Midwestern life to anyone who is interested.

This is significant for more than just those who grew up in the Midwest and want to know more about the history. Waldorf College is home to students and faculty from all over the world, and it’s a great opportunity for them to learn as well.

“Students from outside the Midwest region are going to spend a significant portion of their time in the area over their four years at Waldorf College. If students are better able to understand the history and the culture of their new environment, they are more likely to integrate better into not only Waldorf, but the Forest City community as well,” Mason said.

Events such as this are unique in how simple they are, yet they have a huge impact on students and community members. It is an integral part of growing as a community.

Mason summarized the event by saying, “By understanding the roots of what makes up the Iowan, students from diverse backgrounds are able to better understand their classmates, instructors and other community members.”