Iowa History Month

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 Iowa History Collection Catalog 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.

Visit 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 Iowa History 101 series or the Iowa History Book Club.

Research the Past at the Historical Library & Archives Research Center

Explore the renovated State Historical Library & Archives Iowa History Research Center in Des Moines, now open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.

Visitors will find numerous upgrades and improvements and can dive into collections filled with state government records, books and periodicals, newspapers, county records, manuscripts, photographs and more.

Research Center Open House Schedule

Friday, March 8
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
11 a.m. Presentation

• Des Moines - Intro to SHSI Resources
  Kicking off a series of Iowa History Month presentations at our Research Centers, come listen to an overview of resources available at the State Historical Society of Iowa led by State Government Records Archivist Kelsey Berryhill.
• Iowa City - Tracking Down the Central Iowa Railway Company
  In 1973, the newest railroad in the United States brought its first cargo to Iowa City. Born from the ashes of the Rock Island, the businessmen and farmers of the Central Iowa Railway made a valiant attempt to keep the Amish heartland of Iowa connected to each other and the world beyond. This presentation details the story of this railroad and how the story was unearthed: a vibrant cocktail of archival work, oral history, and—of all things—music!

1 p.m. Presentation

• Des Moines - Intro to Conducting Property Research
  Ever wondered about the history of properties in your area? Join archives staff for an overview on the historical resources available at the State Historical Society of Iowa to conduct property research in the State of Iowa.
• Iowa City - Grant Wood’s “Sultry Night”
  Iowa artist Grant Wood's most controversial painting and lithograph might be one he titled, "Sultry Night."  The lithograph was banned by the U.S. Post Office and Wood, in frustration, sawed the painting in two and burned the objectionable half. In this program we will discuss the painting, conditions of the time (1930s), and also identify the man thought to have posed.

Friday, March 15
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
11 a.m. Presentation

• Des Moines - Iowa County Records Overview
  This program provides an overview of the Iowa County Records project gathered over nearly 50 years and the types of records available for the public to research. 
• Iowa City - Intro to Vital Records/Where to Find Online
  Records of Birth, Marriage and Death are some of the most in demand and utilized records the government creates. Join us for an overview of what vital records are,  where to find them and how to access them.

Saturday, March 23 
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
11 a.m. Presentation

• Des Moines - Caring for Personal Collections
  Museum Collections Coordinator Kay Coats and Special Collections Archivist Jessica Nay will share how items in the State Historical Society’s collections are stored for long term preservation and will offer advice on caring for your own collections of personal and family treasures, including objects, photographs, documents, scrapbooks, and more.
• Iowa City - Collections Care: Preserving an Iowa Map 
  Our lead conservator and instructor, Paige Wilkinson, will demonstrate how to preserve an historical Iowa map from our collection, including dry-cleaning, mending and encapsulation.

1 p.m. Presentation

• Des Moines - Intro to Vital Records/Where to Find Online
  Records of Birth, Marriage and Death are some of the most in demand and utilized records the government creates. Join us for an overview of what vital records are, where to find them and how to access them.
• Iowa City - Objects from the Artifact Loft
  In an exciting new project at our Iowa City location, two University of Iowa students are currently working to catalog and organize historical artifacts. They will present a diverse selection of historical artifacts from our artifact storage in Iowa City along with detailing their project and future plans.

Friday, March 29 
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
11 a.m. Presentation

• Des Moines - Overview to the Underground Railroad in Iowa
  Dave Holmgren with the Iowa Freedom Trail Project at the State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines will share highlights from the ongoing study of the Underground Railroad in Iowa before and during the Civil War.
• Iowa City - Iowa Musicians Project
  Come see our music collections by Iowa artists, including vinyl, cassette tapes, posters, and more! We will be listening to selections from the collection and available to answer questions about the project.

1 p.m. Presentation

• Des Moines - Military Records in State Archives
  Military records in the State Archives of Iowa are voluminous and well documented. In this presentation, State Government Records Archivist Kelsey Berryhill will discuss records regarding the Civil War, World Wars I and II, as well as the National Guard and how to use them to find an ancestor or use them for more general military research.
• Iowa City - Intro to Conducting Property Research
  This program provides an overview on historical resources available to conduct property research in the State of Iowa.

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.

• March 7 - "Respect for the fallen, duty for the survivors: Robert T. Smith’s search for World War II servicemen lost in the South Pacific" with Jerome Thompson
• March 21 - “Victorian Woman and Pella, Iowan Sarah Rousseau: On Music, Travel and the Earps" with Janelle Molony

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.

Read about Iowa's Past with the Iowa History Book Club

Join the Annals of Iowa editor, Andrew Klumpp, to explore Iowa’s past through the online Iowa History Book Club.

7 p.m. Thursday, March 7
A New History of Iowa by Jeff Bremer
Hosted by Andrew Klumpp and Jeff Bremer
Register for Book Club

This new story of Iowa provides a brisk, readable narrative written for a broad audience, from high school and college students to teachers and scholars to general readers. It tells the story of ordinary and extraordinary people of all backgrounds and greatly improves our knowledge of a state whose history has been neglected. A New History of Iowa is for everyone who wants to learn about Iowa’s surprising, complex, and remarkable past.

Spring 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, March 12-16.

Drop-in Activity Stations, March 12-16 , 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Family Exhibit Tours

Join State Curator Leo Landis at the State Historical Museum of Iowa this spring break for two guided tours of selected museum exhibits. (register in advance)

"Iowa's People and Places", March 12, 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. 
"Civics in Action", March 12, 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. 

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. (register in advance)

March 15, 2 p.m.
March 16, 10 a.m.

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. (register in advance)

March 13, 2 p.m.
March 15, 10 a.m.

Sign 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.

March 14, 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!

Attend a Documentary Showing

Register online to join the State Historical Society of Iowa and Iowa PBS at 1 p.m. March 16 at the State Historical Museum of Iowa for a showing of “Carrie Chapman Catt: Warrior for Women”. The documentary tells the compelling story of Iowa suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt and her role in the women’s suffrage movement.

Historian Ricki King and Karen Kredowski, Professor and Director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women in Politics, will hold a panel discussion following the hour-long documentary to discuss the legacy of Catt, the history of women's suffrage in Iowa and look to the future for women in politics.

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! 

Iowa Book List