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The State Historical Society of Iowa invites Iowans of all ages to learn more about our state’s past throughout Iowa History Month in March. Every year, this statewide tradition offers new opportunities to learn more about Iowa’s past and the remarkable Iowans from all walks of life who have influenced their communities, their state, their country and, in many cases, the entire world.
The month features an array of in-person and online programs organized by the State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowans and others can tune in to online presentations, take part in activities designed for families with children, discover materials in the museum collection and take guided tours at the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines.
Iowans are encouraged to post their own #IowaHistory stories, discoveries and events throughout the month on social media. Here are ways you can learn more.
Back to topVisit the State Historical Museum of Iowa
Discover the stories of Iowa’s growth and development through exhibits displaying a rich collection of artifacts and documents. Visit the State Historical Museum of Iowa, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. The museum is free to visit for all ages.
If you can’t visit the museum in person, tour the museum’s exhibit Iowa’s People & Places from your home or attend an upcoming virtual program such as the popular Iowa History 101 series.
Back to topResearch the Past at the Historical Library & Archives Research Center
Explore the State Historical Library & Archives Iowa History Research Center in Des Moines, now open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-3:00p.m. Saturday.
Visitors can dive into collections filled with state government records, books and periodicals, newspapers, county records, manuscripts, photographs and more.
Research Center Programs
Thursday, March 6
12 p.m. Presentation
- Zoom - Iowa History 101: Introduction to Resources at the State Historical Society of Iowa’s Research Centers
Register to learn about resources available at the State Historical Society’s Iowa History Research Centers with Government Records Archivist Kelsey Berryhill, including how to search the Iowa History Collections Catalog, what is available online, and how to access resources in-person for our libraries, special collections, and State Archives.
Saturday, March 8
1 p.m. Presentation
- Iowa City - How to Conduct an Oral History Workshop
Want to learn about oral histories? Library Associate Carmela Furio will provide an overview of producing oral histories with a short and engaging workshop. During the workshop, Carmela will also go over some local resources that are free to use.
Saturday, March 29
1 p.m. Presentation
- Iowa City - Collections Care: Preserving Iowa Maps Workshop
Ever wonder how to care for historic maps? Our Conservation Technician, Paige Wilkinson, will demonstrate how to preserve historical Iowa maps from our collections. During this workshop, Paige will go over dry cleaning, mending, and encapsulation.
Join an Iowa History 101 Webinar
Sign up to watch an Iowa History 101 webinar, presented on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at noon, to learn more about Iowa’s history from pre-statehood to current day. Explore the archives of past program recordings.
Thursday, March 6
12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Introduction to Resources at the State Historical Society of Iowa’s Research Centers with Kelsey Berryhill
Thursday, March 13
12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Last Days in Vietnam, First Days in Iowa with Matthew Walsh
Thursday, March 27
12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Iowa's First Japanese Garden with Beth Cody
A full list of future programs can be found online. Recordings of past Iowa History 101 Webinars can be found on the Iowa Culture YouTube.
Back to topRead about the Past with the Iowa History Book Club
In partnership with the DSM Book Festival and Beaverdale Books, join the State Historical Society of Iowa at the Franklin Event Center for a keynote presentation featuring nationally acclaimed author, Alexis Coe. Register to join us on Saturday, March 22nd at noon to hear Coe's keynote, "Frenemies: How George Washington and the Founding Fathers Rallied Around a Cause—Until They Couldn’t.”
The DSM Book Festival features nationally acclaimed authors, book club-style discussions led by featured commentators, lively panel discussions, hands-on activities, children’s programming, and more. Alexis Coe will be speaking at noon during the festival’s line-up of headline authors. Don’t miss this free, fun-filled festival, dedicated to books and booklovers.
Registration requested but not required to attend.
Back to topSpring Break Programs for All Ages
Adventure into the past with special programs and events with the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Engage young historians with spring break activities and programs.
Family Exhibit Tours
Join museum staff at the State Historical Museum of Iowa this spring break for guided tours of selected museum exhibits.
Family Museum Collection Tour
The Family Museum Collections Tours takes young historians (ages 9 and up) and their families on a 30 minute guided tour through the museum collection vault as we explore a small sample of the museum’s 80,000 objects. This tour is recommended for younger learners and their families.
Museum Collection Tours
Looking for a more in-depth tour? The Museum Collections Tour (ages 12 and up) is a 60 minute comprehensive guided tour through the museum collection vault. This tour is recommended for older learners and historians.
Back to topSign Up for Goldie's Family Day Camp
Young historians, ages 6-10 years old, alongside their adults will explore the museum vault, listen to a story, search for historic objects in the museum exhibits and create a fun hands-on craft all while learning about Iowa history during the two-hour long engaging program.
- Register to join the program on March 19, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join Goldie's Kids Club
Participate in Goldie’s Kids Club to introduce children aged 12 and under to Iowa history – starting with Goldie the eastern goldfinch, the state bird. Delve into the online library of past activities and find fun ways to learn about Iowa history from your own home.
- Innovative Iowans highlights an Iowan through interactive activities that connect history with STEAM education – science, technology, engineering, art and math. Learn about the historic Iowans and try a hands-on activity connected to the historical topic.
- Storytime presents a book recommendation and hands-on activity with an Iowa connection. Iowa's past has many exciting stories to tell.
- With At-Home Collections historians of all ages can learn more about State Historic Sites, National Historic Landmarks and Iowa history topics through Innovative Iowans activities, crosswords, coloring sheets and more!
Interested in Goldie’s Kids Club? Join Today!
Explore Iowa with the Iowa Culture App
Download the Iowa Culture app to discover historic sites in your neighborhood and around the state. Highlights from all 99 counties are included in a new tour designed by the State Curator, including: the Estherville Meteorite Site near Estherville, the French Icarian Village near Corning, the Meskwaki Tribal Museum in Tama and many more!
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