As part of Hoover’s Hometown Days in West Branch, Iowa, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is proud to host multiple scholars who will present on a series of topics relating to Hoover, World War II, and the Postwar.
The event will begin at 2 p.m. and there is no cost to attend. At the conclusion of the three presentations, there will be a panel discussion. Everyone is invited to attend and bring thoughtful questions for the panelists.
Speakers and topics include: – Justus Doenecke, PhD, Emeritus Professor of History from the New College of Florida: “The Hoover Administration and the Manchurian Crisis 1931-1933: Prelude to World War II?” – Sean McMeekin, PhD, Francis Flourney Professor of European History and Culture at Bard University: “Herbert Hoover and World War II Revisionism” – Kevin Y. Kim, PhD, Assistant Professor of History at the University of California at Los Angeles: “Herbert Hoover in the ‘Long’ Cold War: A Case Study in Strategic Restraint”
Bertrand M. Patenaude, PhD, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, will serve as moderator.
Thank you to C-SPAN, who will cover the event to broadcast the event at a later date
Join us in President Herbert Hoover’s hometown as we wish him a Happy Birthday and celebrate his life and legacy! A number of special activities and events will take place in the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum & Library during Hooverโs Hometown Days.
Enjoy ๐ญ๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐ & ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐๐ all day on Saturday, August 5th and learn all about Iowa’s only President! Museum is open 9am-5pm, enjoy free birthday cupcakes from 11-4pm!
๐๐:๐๐๐๐ฆ-๐:๐๐๐ฉ๐ฆ – ๐๐ฑ๐ก๐ข๐๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ & ๐๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ within the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, south of Heritage Square Park on S. Downey Street.
๐๐:๐๐๐๐ฆ-๐:๐๐๐ฉ๐ฆ: ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฆ Explore a piece of history! Civil War reenactors will be set up west of the Birthplace Cottage within the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site to show the different types of uniforms that Union soldiers wore during the American Civil War. They will demonstrate how they wore their equipment and how it evolved during the war. Some tents will also be on display to show how soldiers moved away from larger and more cumbersome accommodations like the Sibley Tent to sleeping under the stars or in a shelter half while on campaign. Expect to see displays of equipment as well as food & mess items. Adults and children of all ages are encouraged to ask questions.
๐๐:๐๐๐๐ฆ-๐๐:๐๐๐ฉ๐ฆ: ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ข๐ Members and guests are invited to gather on the lawn at the C.E. Smith House on Downey Trace, across from the Hoover Birthplace Cottage for a meal and remarks. Free for members and only $10 for guests. RSVP or register guests at hooverpresidentialfoundation.org/events.
๐๐:๐๐๐๐ฆ-๐๐:๐๐๐ฉ๐ฆ: ๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฑ๐ญ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐ฌ This historic reenactment presented by Paxton Williams will take place on the Hoover Stage located in Downey Trace.
๐๐:๐๐-๐:๐๐๐ฉ๐ฆ: ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง Gather on the lawn at the C.E. Smith House on Downey Trace, across from Hooverโs Birthplace Cottage for a Life Celebration featuring former governor of Iowa and ambassador to China, Terry Branstad. Amb. Branstad will speak about Herbert Hooverโs dealings with China, his humanitarian efforts, and how the museum renovation will reflect these stories.
๐:๐๐-๐:๐๐๐ฉ๐ฆ: ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฆ: ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฐ๐๐ซ Join us as three scholars examine and share their research around Hoover, World War II and the Postwar. This event is free to attend. The panel includes Justus Doenecke, Kevin Y. Kim and Sean McMeekin. The moderator is Bertrand M. Patenaude.
This annual 5K Prairie Run takes place on the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and follows a challenging course on mown grass trails through the beautiful Tall-Grass Prairie at the height of summer bloom. For walkers we offer a paved 1.5K path around the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum grounds, and the Presidential Grave-site.
Register before July 20 is $25 for the 5K run and $15 for the 1.5K walk. After July 20 the fee increases to $30 for the run and $20 for the walk. On-line registration is open until Aug. 1 and in-person registration is open from 7:15-8:00 the morning of the event.
Each paid registrant by July 20 will receive a t-shirt, there will be water stations on the running route, and water and snacks at the conclusion. Medals will be awarded to the top 3 female and male runners in the 5K in each age group: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80 & up.. No pets please.
๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐: 7:30-Check-in and same-day registration (cash or check only for same-day registrants) 8:00-GO! 9:00- Awards
This event is hosted by the West Branch Lions Club.
Grab a partner and register now for the 12th annual “Fire in the Hole” Bags Tournament hosted by the West Branch Fire Department. This Double Elimination tournament will be limited to 32 teams and bags fly in the beer tent on Saturday, August 5, 2023 to wrap up Hoover’s Hometown Days! There will also be beverages, food, and live music by The Getaway City Band! Pre-registration is required.
ENTRY FEE: $40 per team on or before July 31, 2023 / $50 per team after July 31, 2023. Entry includes 4 beverage tickets per team – beer, water, or pop.
PRIZES: First Place: $100 Second Place: $60 Third Place: $40
Questions? Contact Jose at jageptx@gmail.com or (915) 227-1002.
Wheel Hoss is a 4-piece acoustic band playing bluegrass music for all ages to enjoy! Wheel Hoss performed regularly at clubs, weddings, parties and bluegrass festivals throughout the Midwest from 1980-1984. Their bootleg cassette โLive at the Mt. Nebo Primitive Baptist Church Cemeteryโ has long been sought after by bluegrass aficionados far and wide and is now considered a classic. They reassembled in 2016 to jam and had so much fun they began booking the occasional show. Don’t miss this performance on the Main Street Stage during Hoover’s Hometown Days.
๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ! Title Sponsors: Heritage Hill, US Autoforce and Advantage Builders/BP Station Main Street Stage Sponsors: Altorfer Ag and Veenstra & Kimm Inc.
