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How to Make Money and Create Community with Monuments - Volume 1

Monumentous Potential: The Camp Burnside Marker in Des Moines, Iowa

The spot where the Iowa 23rd and 39th Regiments were assembled and trained in 1862

Monuments that honor the people who served in the American Civil War can be as culturally significant as they are monumentous, but regardless of their form or intended function, their presence allows contemporary communities to connect with a vital element of the past in order to influence their future. It’s why markers like the one […]

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Showcasing the Art of Our Time at the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Showing the Art of Our Time at the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Sculpture parks across the world and even in Iowa have been able to create excitement and activity for entire communities, but few have done so with as much success as the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. This collection of modern sculptures has helped to create a pedestrian-friendly entrance to downtown Des Moines, Iowa. In […]

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Historic Valley Junction Becomes the Heart and Soul of Iowa

A Legacy of Community Connection

Historical Valley Junction, located just outside of Des Moines, Iowa, is home to over 160 distinctive stores, restaurants, & independent businesses. While other areas with the city and across the country can make similar or even far greater claims, what makes Historical Valley Junction different is a dedicated effort to form an identity that has […]

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American Enterprise Art Park Transforms a Space in Des Moines

Showcasing the Power of Icons and Imagery

Des Moines is home to multiple sculpture parks, and while the American Enterprise Art Park might not be the biggest, it is nonetheless especially unique. Eleven sculptures have been installed across the yard to completely transform what would otherwise just be an empty space in front of the building. Doing so has come to represent […]

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