Historians Look Back At The Midwest, America's 'Forgotten' Region

The Midwest has come to be synonymous with certain aspects of America's cultural history. From waves of grain to hoedowns to Grant Wood's classic pitchfork-toting couple in "American Gothic."

A group of historians meeting this week in Grand Rapids, Mich., say that is only a part of the story. Compared to the intellectual Northeast, literary South and innovative West Coast, they say the Midwest is too often ignored - its rich landscape and cultural diversity left out of elementary school classrooms, while the Gold Rush and Liberty Bell get the spotlight.

Historians Jon Lauck and Pamela Riney-Kehrberg speak with Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson about the Midwest and what lessons its history has for the rest of the U.S.