George Washington Carver Day Celebration

February 1, 2023

George Washington

George Washington Carver | Simpson College

Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Simpson College

Events Free and Open to Everyone

9:00 – 2:00 | Diversity in STEM activities, Carver Center Atrium

Join us by the ‘Boy Carver’ statue and take your photo in the Carver-themed booth, try peanut snacks, enter a drawing for a Diversity in STEM t-shirt, and do other fun activities.

10:30 – 12:00 | Guided tour of Carver-related sites

Circle Back In Time, a guided tour around the Square, where actors will be inside the Local Vine (north), Corner Sundry (west), Uncommon Grounds (south), & Treasures (east), to tell the story of local businesses from the time of George Washington Carver.

Shuttle to Warren County Historical Society and Museum (30 minute intervals) to visit their collection of artifacts related to Carver's life and experiences in Indianola at the Carver Museum where guides will be available. Transportation from Rudolf Insurance, Indianola Square's west side.

12:00 – 12:45 | Reception, Amy Robertson Music Building, Simpson College

12:45 – 1:00 | Invocation & Proclamations

1:00 – 1:45 | Presentation: George Washington Carver in Iowa

Linda Griffith Smith, of Madison County Historical Society, will discuss the remarkable story of George Washington Carver and his time in Iowa. Born into slavery in Missouri, George moved multiple times before coming to Iowa in 1888 at 24 years of age.

2:00 – 3:00 | Performance: Listening to the Still Small Voice: The Story of George Washington Carver

Performed by Paxton Williams. This is the story of one of the most inspiring and enigmatic renaissance men of the 20th century. As you travel from Civil War-era Missouri, to Carver's Laboratory, to the halls of Congress, you will see the trials, tribulations, and ultimate triumph of the scientist/educator/artist known as the "Wizard of Tuskegee."

3:00 – 4:00 | Simpson College Self-Guided Tour

4:00 – 6:00 | West Hill Brewing Company (219 W Salem Ave.)

Enjoy the roll out of “Peanut Genius,” locally brewed beer with nodes of peanuts -- produced by Simpson College alums Doug Gaumer '05 and Heather Norris Gaumer '05. (costs apply). At 5:30, join in a formal toast to George Washington Carver's life, accomplishments, and his time at Simpson and in Indianola.

Contributors

Simpson College, Warren County Historical Society & Museum, Indianola Independent-Advocate, George Washington Carver Elementary School, HIRTA, Indianola Community School District, Indianola Downtown Merchants, Indianola Parks & Recreation, Linda Griffith Smith, Paxton Williams, and Pi Beta Phi with gratitude to many community volunteers