District Contests

National History Day in Iowa provides students with the opportuniy to showcase their work and receive feedback on their projects from judges in their local communities across nine district contests.

New to National History Day? Please review the district contest map to find your appropriate district contest. If you have questions or concerns regarding your district contest location, please contact NHD.Iowa@iowa.gov.

2023 District Contest Updates

National History Day in Iowa is excited to return to in-person district contests in 2023!

District contest results will be posted here as they come in.

2023 District Contest Registration

Teachers: Click here to access registration instructions.

Students: Click here to access registration instructions.

2023 District Contests Schedule

Grant Wood District

This district is named for Grant Wood, the Iowa artist who created the famous "American Gothic" painting. His history and legacy span the district, from the one-room Antioch School he attended near Anamosa to his studio in Cedar Rapids to his home in Iowa City to a gallery of his work in Tipton. His stylized landscape paintings of the rolling landscape made a significant impact on the area's arts and culture during his lifetime.

Grant Wood District Schedule	Date
NHD in Iowa 2023 Grant Wood District Contest Registration Guide	Available January 9, 2023
Registration Opens	January 9, 2023
Registration Closes	March 16, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
In-Person Contest	March 24, 2023
Contest Winners Posted to Website and Websites Unlocked	March 25, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT
Comment Forms Released	March 26, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT

Historic Highways District

The first automobile highways to connect the nation from west to east (Lincoln Highway) and north to south (Jefferson Highway) crossed through this district and intersected at the Reed-Niland corner in Colo. The area was a hub of activity that increased in the late 1920s following a long-fought battle to develop the Great Whiteway (now Highway 6), which ran from Chicago to Davenport, Des Moines, Council Bluffs and Omaha.

Historic Highways District Schedule	Date
NHD in Iowa 2023 Historic Highways District Contest Registration Guide	Available January 9, 2023
Registration Opens	January 9, 2023
Registration Closes	March 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
In-Person Contest	March 29, 2023
Contest Winners Posted to Website and Websites Unlocked	March 30, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT
Comment Forms Released	March 31, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT

Mississippi River District

Just as it has carved the physical landscape, the Mississippi River has shaped a remarkable path through the history of human settlement. For the first Native Americans, early European pioneers, and modern-day Iowans, the river has influenced the cross-currents of migration, commerce, industry and recreation. Many of Iowa’s oldest towns hug the river’s west bank and reflect its rich history.

Mississippi River District Schedule	Date
NHD in Iowa 2023 Mississippi River District Contest Registration Guide	Available January 9, 2023
Registration Opens	January 9, 2023
Registration Closes	February 26, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
In-Person Contest	March 6, 2023
Contest Winners Posted to Website and Websites Unlocked	March 7, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT
Comment Forms Released	March 8, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT

Montauk District

This district is named for Montauk, the majestic home and farm of Iowa’s 12th governor, William Larrabee. Larrabee served as the Governor of Iowa from 1886 until 1890 and then retired to Montauk, his family mansion in Clermont which is now a State Historic Site. The Larrabee family furnished and maintained this two-story 1874 mansion and estate for more than 100 years, adapting with the changing agricultural life. Larrabee and his wife were also committed to ensuring the children in their community received the best education possible and in 1912 built and donated the Ideal School to the town of Clermont.

Montauk District Schedule	Date
NHD in Iowa 2023 Montauk District Contest Registration Guide	Available January 9, 2023
Registration Opens	January 9, 2023
Registration Closes	March 14, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
In-Person Contest	March 22, 2023
Contest Winners Posted to Website and Websites Unlocked	March 23, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT
Comments Forms Released	March 24, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT

Sergeant Floyd District

The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through northwestern Iowa in August 1804. Sergeant Charles Floyd Jr. was the only member of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery Expedition to die on the journey. He died on August 20 just south of present-day Sioux City and was buried on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The region has documented the history of the expedition at the Sergeant Floyd River Museum, Sergeant Floyd Monument, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, M.V. Sergeant Floyd Inspection Boat, Lewis and Clark State Park and Keelboat, and numerous works of art in the area.

Sergeant Floyd District Schedule	Date
NHD in Iowa 2023 Sergeant Floyd District Contest Registration Guide	Available January 9, 2023
Registration Opens	January 9, 2023
Registration Closes	March 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
In-Person Contest	March 14, 2023
Contest Winners Posted to Website and Websites Unlocked	March 15, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT
Comment Forms Released	March 16, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT

Spirit Lake District

Although most Iowans associate the state’s three Great Lakes – Spirit Lake, plus East and West Okoboji – with sunny summer vacations spent fishing, boating and riding the old wooden roller coaster at Arnolds Park, the area wasn’t always so carefree. Tensions between Native Americans and white settlers erupted into the Spirit Lake Massacre during the winter of 1857 and marred the state’s generally peaceful record of Native and white relations. The site’s Abbie Gardner Sharp Cabin became one of Iowa’s first tourist attractions and still stands as a reminder of the state’s early struggles.

Spirit Lake District Schedule	Date
NHD in Iowa 2023 Spirit Lake District Contest Registration Guide	Available January 9, 2023
Registration Opens	January 9, 2023
Registration Closes	February 28, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
In-Person Contest	March 8, 2023
Contest Winners Posted to Website and Websites Unlocked	March 9, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT
Comment Forms Released	March 10, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT

Sullivan Brothers District 

This district is named in honor of the five Sullivan brothers, natives of Waterloo who enlisted in the U.S. Navy with the stipulation that they serve together. All were assigned to the U.S.S. Juneau, which was torpedoed during the Battle of Guadalcanal, and all five Sullivan brothers perished. As a direct result, the U.S. War Department adopted the Sole Survivor Policy to protect families from losing multiple members in combat and named a Navy ship for the brothers.

Sullivan Brothers District Schedule	Date
NHD in Iowa 2023 Sullivan Brothers District Contest Registration Guide	Available January 9, 2023
Registration Opens	January 9, 2023
Registration Closes	March 20, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
In-Person Contest	March 28, 2023
Contest Winners Posted to Website and Websites Unlocked	March 29, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT
Comment Forms Released	March 30, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT

Voltaire Twombly District

This district is named for Voltaire Twombly, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts as a flag bearer for the 2nd Iowa Infantry at the Battle of Fort Donnelson (Tennessee) in the Civil War.

Voltaire Twombly District Schedule	Date
NHD in Iowa 2023 Voltaire Twombly District Contest Registration Guide	Available January 9, 2023
Registration Opens	January 9, 2023
Registration Closes	March 2, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
In-Person Contest	March 10, 2023
Contest Winners Posted to Website and Websites Unlocked	March 11, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT
Comment Forms Released	March 12, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT

Western Trails District 

The region around Council Bluffs was a gateway to adventure and westward migration in the early to mid-1800s. In addition to the explorers Lewis and Clark, who explored Iowa’s western border, pioneers followed the Oregon Trail, hopeful gold miners rushed along the California Trail, and Mormons trekked along the Mormon Trail to seek religious freedom in the Salt Lake Valley. Many of these early travelers began their journey at the Missouri River crossing at Council Bluffs.

Western Trails District Schedule	Date
NHD in Iowa 2023 Western Trails District Contest Registration Guide	Available January 9, 2023
Registration Opens	January 9, 2023
Registration Closes	March 5, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
In-Person Contest	March 13, 2023
Contest Winners Posted to Website and Websites Unlocked	March 14, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT
Comment Forms Released	March 15, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT