As Iowa commemorates its 175th Anniversary throughout 2021, join the State Historical Society of Iowa for a special celebration of Iowa's fascinating history in March. The month starts with a proclamation from Governor Kim Reynolds and continues with a full array of online presentations and special events across the state.
Ways you can celebrate this year:
Tune in to the "Iowa History 101" online presentations at noon each Tuesday and Thursday (or browse the previously recorded presentations whenever you’d like) to learn about Inkpaduta, Emir Abd el-Kaer, Donna Reed and other notable names from Iowa’s past. The hour-long presentations by leading scholars and curators are free, but registration is required.
Visit a new exhibit called “Iowa’s People and Places,” which opens March 5 at the State Historical Museum of Iowa and explores more than 13,000 years of history with artifacts from across the state.
Join Goldie’s Kids Club. Online programs and at-home activities abound for children and families who want to learn more about Iowa’s colorful past. New content is posted online every month.
Join the Iowa History Book Club. This new statewide program offers quarterly discussions online, starting at 7 p.m. March 11 with a look at “Iowa: The Middle Land” by the late Dorothy Schwieder.
Tune in to an "Iowa Stories" online presentation at noon March 17 to learn about the Cherry Sisters from Marion, whose infamous vaudeville act led to a landmark legal victory for the freedom of the press. It’s free, but registration is required.
History does happen here in Iowa. Show your support for Iowa history with an Iowa History T-shirt from Raygun. A portion of the t-shirt proceeds benefit the Iowa Historical Foundation for Iowa history education initiatives.
Schedule an Iowa trivia program via Zoom for your club or organization’s next meeting. Jess Rundlett, a special projects and outreach coordinator for the State Historical Museum of Iowa and a two-time All-Iowa Trivia Bee champion, would be happy to lead a 30-minute trivia for your group, free of charge. You can contact her at jessica.rundlett@iowa.gov.
Subscribe to The Annals of Iowa, a quarterly journal at the forefront of research about Iowa history. This flagship publication of the State Historical Society of Iowa examines the deeds, misdeeds and accomplishments of Iowans from the past and shows how their actions fit into the larger mosaic of Iowa history.
Read the Iowa History blog to learn about the Meskwaki Settlement, the African-American struggle for civil rights, Hmong refugees and much more.
Play BINGO! Pick up a card at the State Historical Museum of Iowa or download one at home for even more ways to celebrate our great state!
Explore even more online content during the Days of Learning, a showcase of history, art and culture from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
Featured Programs from our Iowa History Advisory Council Partners:
Use this free 15-question Kahoot! with your groups, students and adults alike, to learn more about Iowa history. Kahoot! is an online, game-based learning platform.
Explore programs offered by Iowa History Advisory Council partners.
If you love to read, then this book list is for you. The list, curated by the Iowa History Advisory Council, contains books written by Iowans or about Iowa History.
