Historian David Connon brings to life the remarkable story of Josiah Bushnell Grinnell—abolitionist, preacher, congressman, and founder of the town that bears his name. In this Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau presentation at the Stanton Public Library, Connon explores Grinnell’s courageous involvement in the Iowa Underground Railroad, where he and fellow townspeople aided at least 37 […]
Join the Des Moines Women's Club on January 7, 2026 at 11 a.m. for a one-man performance by Pete Grady, Unconditional Surrender: A Visit with Ulysses S. Grant. Through storytelling, period music, and historic images, Grady brings to life the Civil War general and 18th President of the United States. This engaging and insightful portrayal explores Grant’s military triumphs, […]
Mr. Fargo dresses in full Union Army regalia and focuses the first person presentation on an individual Iowa soldier’s Civil War experience. After a brief overview of the state’s involvement, the audience is introduced to a returning Civil War veteran (played by O. J. Fargo). He will detail the experiences of an Iowan during the […]
The Pella Public Library will host David Connon on January 15, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. for a Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau program. Connon, an independent researcher and writer, shares practical strategies for uncovering the stories of Civil War ancestors—whether they fought for the Union or the Confederacy. Drawing on his extensive research into Iowans who […]
Join Iowa naturalist, photographer, and writer Larry Stone for an engaging look at the complex history of Iowa’s white-tailed deer. Once wiped out by early settlement, the state’s deer population made a dramatic comeback in the 20th century—so much so that it now sparks debate among farmers, hunters, motorists, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Adapted from […]
Join the Muscatine Art Center for a special presentation of speaker Tom Milligan's one-man show: Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel. In this 45-minute, one-man show, Grant Wood chats with the audience as if talking to an old friend across the backyard fence, or maybe at his home at Five Turner Alley in Cedar Rapids. He tells […]
The Malvern Public Library will host historian and author Darcy Maulsby on February 9, 2026, for a fun, interactive exploration of Iowa’s food heritage. From chili-and-cinnamon-roll traditions to Maid-Rites and RAGBRAI feasts, Maulsby shares the stories behind the state’s iconic dishes and culinary customs. Based on her book A Culinary History of Iowa, this program offers fascinating insights […]
Join the Gibson Memorial Library for the presentation "Still We Move: Migration, Memory, and the Making of Black Iowa" by speaker Abena Sankofa Imhotep. This talk traces Black movement through Iowa, from early migrations like Buxton and the Great Migration to the modern pursuit of justice and belonging, revealing how Black Iowans have not only […]
Join the Elk Horn Public Library for a captivating presentation by Iowa-based storyteller, musician, and photographer Jason Walsmith. For more than 30 years, Jason has traveled across North America—touring with his rock band The Nadas, performing solo from Seattle to the Florida Keys, and photographing people and places for brands and publications around the world. His life […]
Mr. Fargo dresses in full Union Army regalia and focuses the first person presentation on an individual Iowa soldier’s Civil War experience. After a brief overview of the state’s involvement, the audience is introduced to a returning Civil War veteran (played by O. J. Fargo). He will detail the experiences of an Iowan during the […]
Join DeWitt Community Library for the Speakers Bureau presentation “Response to Coop, the Story of an Amish Conscientious Objector” by Mary Swander. Mary Swander will discuss her writing process and the research that went into her new drama called Coop. She will explain object theatre and why she embraced it for this work. She will recount […]
The City of Indianola Parks & Recreation will host historian John Liepa on February 23, 2026 at 1 p.m. for an engaging look at Iowa’s immigration history. From the state’s earliest Indigenous peoples to waves of European settlers, African Americans, Hispanics, and more recent immigrant communities, Liepa traces the diverse stories that have shaped Iowa’s […]
Humanities Iowa utilizes funding from sources including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Federation of State Humanities Councils with support from the Mellon Foundation. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the Federation of State Humanities Councils or the Mellon Foundation.
