ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Hey Buddy, I’m Bill tells the story of Bill Sackter, the namesake of Wild Bill’s (formerly Wild Bill’s Coffee Shop) in the University of Iowa School of Social Work. From his early life in Minneapolis to his 44-year institutionalization for an intellectual disability to his years of friends and fame in Iowa City, the exhibit shares a glimpse into Bill’s life and legacy. The exhibit also acknowledges some of Iowa’s own history with institutionalization and progress with disability rights, and places Bill’s story in the context of the historic treatment of people with disabilities. The exhibit not only tells how Bill’s life embodied the disability practices and perspectives of his time, but also how the national prominence of his life story helped America make progress toward better understanding and treatment of people with disabilities.

The exhibition features artifacts, documents, and ephemera from Bill’s life as well as ways for visitors to contribute stories about their own experiences with disability.

Exhibit Curation: Jen Knights and Brad Ferrier

Information below is a work in progress. Check back occasionally for updates.

 

CURATOR HIGHLIGHTS & EXHIBITION GUIDE

 

• Curator Highlights from Hey Buddy, I'm Bill:
  A small virtual selection of items from the exhibition, including photographs, commentary, and additional details.
• Hey Buddy, I'm Bill Exhibition Guide
  Coming soon! Accessible PDF document. The complete guide to the exhibition, including curators' notes, a comprehensive item and source list, and complete exhibition credits.
• Virtual Gallery Tour of Hey Buddy, I'm Bill
  COMING SOON. A complete interactive virtual tour of the Main Library Gallery exhibition.
• Audio Files with Transcription
  Hear original audio of Bill and some of his friends. Includes: Bill and Jack Doepke singing "Oh, Lutefisk," Bill playing his harmonica, Barry Morrow's eulogy for Bill from 1983, and an interview with Tom Walz from 1984 about his friendship with Bill. Transcription included for audio files with speaking or singing.

 

EXHIBIT VIDEOS

Coming soon.

 

ADDITIONAL VIDEO RESOURCES

 

Watch A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter Story, a full-length documentary by Lane Wyrick:

 

This clip about Wild Bill's Coffee Shop at the University of Iowa School of Social Work was filmed in 2012. It shows how the coffee shop looked at that time and how it operated. Several of the furniture items in the exhibit can be seen in this video:

 

MAIN LIBRARY GALLERY ARTICLES

 

• Exhibit preview: Hey Buddy, I'm Bill
  August 9, 2023. Sara J. Pinkham. An exhibition preview in Bindings, the University of Iowa Libraries' journal.
• Curator Q&A with Jen Knights and Brad Ferrier
  August 29, 2023. Sara J. Pinkham. Curators Jen and Brad share why they decided to create an exhibit about Bill Sackter and why he is still an important figure today.
• Hey Buddy, I’m Bill: new Main Library Gallery exhibit celebrates a local legend
  August 31, 2023. Sara J. Pinkham. Read a short summary about Bill Sackter's life and times.

 

PODCAST EPISODES: WILD BILL'S CUP OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

 

• Episode 1: The Origins of Wild Bill's Coffee Shop
  July 26, 2021. Hear Jen Knights and Stephen Cummings talk about the origin of Wild Bill's and share more about Bill Sackter. Wild Bill's Cup of Social Justice is a production of the University of Iowa School of Social Work.
• Episode 2: The Big Pivot, with Dr. Mercedes Bern-Klug
  November 2, 2021. Jen Knights and Stephen Cummings talk with Dr. Mercedes Bern-Klug about the future of Wild Bill's and share memories of Bill Sackter. Wild Bill's Cup of Social Justice is a production of the University of Iowa School of Social Work.

 

SELECT HISTORIC NEWS ARTICLES

 

• Bill's triumph
  April 24, 1977. Barry Morrow. The Des Moines Register. The first major news story about Bill Sackter, written by his dear friend and guardian Barry Morrow. Note: Access available through ProQuest with University of Iowa HawkID login.
• Mrs. Riesz 'lived' her book
  November 4, 1978. Iowa City Press-Citizen. News article about Iowa City woman Elizabeth Riesz, author of First Years of a Down's Syndrome Child (1984) and Let's Cook! Healthy Meals for Independent Living (2010). Riesz wrote about her experiences raising a daughter with Down's syndrome. Note: Access available through ProQuest with University of Iowa HawkID login.
• I.C. man joins his religious heritage
  October 3, 1979. Mary Adams. The Daily Iowan. Article about Bill Sackter's bar mitzvah in Iowa City. (p. 6)
• Bar mitzvah for Bill
  October 14, 1979. Gary W. Galluzzo. The Des Moines Register. Article about Bill Sackter's bar mitzvah in Iowa City. (p. 41/3E) Note: Access available through ProQuest with University of Iowa HawkID login
• Coming of age at 66: a most unforgettable bar mitzvah
  May 1981. Linda Kerber. Moment Magazine. Article about Bill Sackter's bar mitzvah from a friend and member of Agudas Achim Congregation. Provided courtesy of Moment.
• 'Bill' premieres tonight at Hancher
  December 3, 1981. T. Johnson. The Daily Iowan. News article anticipating the premiere of TV movie Bill. (p. 10)
• Proud premiere
  December 4, 1981. Photo by Dirk VanDerwerker. The Daily Iowan. Front page photo of Bill arriving at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City for the premiere of TV movie Bill.
• Film of 'UI's' Bill is a triumph
  December 7, 1981. Roxanne T. Mueller. The Daily Iowan. Positive local review of the TV movie Bill, starring Mickey Rooney as Bill Sackter and Dennis Quaid as Barry Morrow. (p. 12)
• Harmonica in hand, 'Bill' accepts award
  February 1, 1982. Roxanne T. Mueller. The Daily Iowan. Coverage of Bill at the 39th annual Golden Globe Awards, during which he accepted an award on behalf of Mickey Rooney for Bill.
• 'Bill,' man of eternal hope, dies at age 70
  June 17, 1983. Carlos Trevino. The Daily Iowan. News article sharing Bill's death and celebrating his life.
• The long goodbye
  June 28, 1998. Darlene Pfister. Minneapolis Star Tribune. News article about the history and closing of the institution in Faribault. Note: Access available through ProQuest with University of Iowa HawkID login.

 

ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH GUIDES

 

• BillSackter.com
  Website by Lane Wyrick dedicated to his documentary, A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter Story, and to Bill.
• Memoirs of a Maverick Professor by Thomas Walz (2010)
  Suggested reading.
• The Unlikely Celebrity: Bill Sackter's Triumph Over Disability by Thomas Walz (1998)
  Suggested reading.