Indiana Historical Society hosts The Saturday Evening Post artwork

By April MacIntyre Sep 30, 2010, 22:59 GMT

Elect Casey by Norman Rockwell © SEPS

Indianapolis-The Indiana Historical Society will welcome Covering America in the 1950s and early 1960s: The Saturday Evening Post Magazine, which will open Oct. 8 and run through Feb. 19, 2011.

The event is to be held at the Rose McKee Lanham Gallery at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. The History Center, home of the IHS and the Indiana Experience, is located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.

Details

Featuring 30 original works of art alongside the covers they graced, the exhibition showcases an American magazine that captured the heart and soul of the country and includes three works by Norman Rockwell: Road Block (Home Plate), Saying Grace (charcoal), and Elect Casey.

The Saturday Evening Post, America's oldest magazine, is headquartered in Indianapolis. 

Weiner Roast by John Clymer © SEPS

The post-World War II boom

This featured decade was one of tremendous growth and change.  The time saw drastic shifts in the way Americans lived, worked and played. Many returning war veterans and their families moved out of cities and into newly developed suburbs. Americans also began to travel more across the country in their newly affordable automobiles using the newly created national highway system.

The Saturday Evening Post covers during that time in history celebrated suburban life, promoting travel, the great outdoors and family vacations-the American Dream. Artists showcased included Norman Rockwell, John Clymer, Stevan Dohanos, John Falter, George Hughes, Amos Sewell, Richard Sargent, Mead Schaeffer and Thorton Utz.

"We're excited to be presenting this glimpse of history through art at the History Center," said IHS President and CEO John A. Herbst. "It's such an evocative exhibition, and we're sure our guests will enjoy it."

Joan SerVaas, chief executive officer and publisher of The Saturday Evening Post, said, "It's a pleasure to share some of our many famous covers illustrating the American life and experience with the people of our hometown of Indianapolis, where The Post remains headquartered today."

Covering America in the 1950s and early 1960s is included in admission to the Indiana Experience.

Cost is $7 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and $5 for children ages 5 to 17. IHS members and children younger than five receive complimentary admission.

For information on IHS programs, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org. To learn more about The Saturday Evening Post, please visit www.thesaturdayeveningpost.com.