The free Oct. 4 program at Brunnier Art Museum will offer a first look at more than 75 glass cup plates dating from the 1820s through the 1850s.
By Hola America News
AMES, Iowa — Former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack will present her family’s newly donated collection of historic glass cup plates during a free public program Oct. 4 at Iowa State University in Ames.
“Small Plates, Big Meanings: Glass Cup Plates in the Christie Vilsack Collection” will run from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Brunnier Art Museum, on the second floor of the Scheman Building. Admission is free.
The collection includes more than 75 cup plates dating from the 1820s through the 1850s. The small glass plates were used to hold a tea or coffee cup while a person drank from the saucer, offering a glimpse into everyday life in early America.
Vilsack will discuss how her family assembled the collection over many years and the experiences and relationships connected with finding the objects across the country.
- Program: Small Plates, Big Meanings: Glass Cup Plates in the Christie Vilsack Collection
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
- Time: 2–3 p.m.
- Location: Brunnier Art Museum, Scheman Building
- Address: 1805 Center Drive, Ames, Iowa
- Admission: Free
More than 75 cup plates date from the 1820s to 1850s
The newly donated collection contains more than 75 individual examples of historic glass cup plates.
Small in size and often decorative, the plates reflect a social custom that may be unfamiliar to modern visitors. They were used as a place to set a tea or coffee cup while the drinker used the saucer.
The collection will become part of Iowa State’s University Museums holdings, where the objects can support teaching, research and public programs.
Vilsack will share how her family built the collection
During the Oct. 4 presentation, Vilsack will share stories about how her family found and collected the plates over many years while traveling across the country.
The program will give visitors a first public look at the collection following its donation to University Museums.
Vilsack, a former Iowa first lady, teacher and writer, will discuss both the historical context of the objects and the personal experiences connected with the family’s collecting efforts.
Related: Figge Art Museum to open two exhibitions on Iowa and American identity
The collection will support museum exhibitions beginning in 2027
University Museums plans to include objects from the Vilsack collection in future exhibitions at the Brunnier Art Museum and Farm House Museum beginning in 2027.
The Oct. 4 program is also being presented in connection with “America 250: Prairie, Plows and the People’s College,” an exhibition at the Farm House Museum that explores Iowa State and American history. The exhibition is scheduled to remain on view through Oct. 16, 2027.
University Museums oversees two art museums, a National Historic Landmark historic home museum, a sculpture garden and one of the country’s largest campus public art collections. Its permanent holdings include more than 30,000 objects.
The Brunnier Art Museum is located inside the Scheman Building at 1805 Center Drive in Ames. Vilsack’s presentation will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, and admission is free. Additional visitor information is available through the Brunnier Art Museum.
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