DES MOINES – While the nation focuses on the Iowa Caucuses in the very near future, the State Historical Museum of Iowa turns to the tradition’s colorful past.

Featuring images, film clips, newspaper articles and more than 100 artifacts from 1972 to 2016, the museum’s “First in the Nation: Shaping Presidential Politics Since 1972” exhibition is now open and will help voters and others understand the state’s unique role in presidential politics.

“Every four years, Iowa becomes the focal point for presidential candidates, political insiders and the entire world as the first contest on the road to the White House,” said Susan Kloewer, administrator of the State Historical Society of Iowa. “With this exhibition, we are helping to demystify the caucus process while sharing campaign stories from the past. We encourage Iowans and visitors to see this exhibition.”

“First in the Nation” explores candidates’ journeys through the Iowa caucus cycle, from their first exploratory visits all the way through their frenzied final hours. The exhibition shows how candidates organize their campaigns, meet everyday Iowans and participate in the excitement of caucus day. While Iowa does not pick the president, it narrows the field of candidates who test their message and organizational skills to win one of the proverbial “three tickets out of Iowa” and a head start on the race to the White House.

In the exhibition, guests and visitors can:

• Watch a video about Iowa’s unique position as host of the first-in-the-nation caucus.
• Take a selfie with their favorite 2020 presidential candidates.
• See campaign and election artifacts, including the button collection of David Yepsen, the host of Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” and former political reporter for The Des Moines Register.
• See an 1856 Republican Ticket, the first presidential election with a Republican nominee.
• See an Iowa Caucus jersey from the Iowa Cubs. It’s a newly acquired item from the team when it honored Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses with special uniforms and caps.

If you go:

What: “First in the Nation: Shaping Presidential Politics Since 1972”
Where: State Historical Museum of Iowa, 600 E. Locust St., Des Moines
When: Now through February
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Admission: Free

In addition, the “First in the Nation” traveling exhibit will be on display Nov. 1-27 at Drake University’s Cowles Library and Jan. 7-30 at the University of Northern Iowa’s Rod Library. The traveling exhibit is an extension of the museum exhibit and travels the state to share images, film clips and artifacts that also tell the story of Iowa’s unique presidential election process.

The State Historical Museum of Iowa is overseen by the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. More information is available at iowaculture.gov or 515-281-5111.