Clarion’s Heartland Museum has purchased five mannequins for a unique exhibit, funded by the Wright County Charitable Trust. "The mannequins will be used in the Main Street scenes to tell the stories of how women helped settle the county," said Curator Melody Lager.
Each mannequin represents a different era, from the 1870s to the 1950s, and features historically accurate stories collected by Lager. The new exhibits aim to highlight women’s contributions to Wright County. Lager, who includes her grandmother in the collection, believes it is important to have equal gender representation at the museum.
Historically, women often laid the groundwork for their husbands' successes. For example, Mrs. Stark, a socialite mannequin representing the Stark General Store, was instrumental in community improvements like installing a clock tower at the courthouse while also promoting Christian values.
Heartland Museum is exploring options for providing the stories through print or audio. For more information, visit the museum at 119 SW 9th St, Clarion, Iowa, during hours of operation.
