Join Simpson College for Open Book, a dialogue-centered program that invites participants to reflect on history, culture, and civic life through conversations with culture bearers from their own communities. This program is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative […]
Join the Cedar Valley Civil War Roundtable on April 16, 2026 at 7 p.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 […]
Join Sarah Pratt, official butter sculptor for the Iowa State Fair, at the Ruthven Public Library on April 18 for a fun and interactive workshop celebrating Iowa’s beloved butter art tradition. The session begins with a brief history of butter sculpting, the butter cow's significance in the Iowa State Fair, and Pratt’s journey from apprentice […]
Join the Blakesburg Historical Preservation Society as they host speaker Darcy Maulsby for the presentation "Uncover the Secret History of the KKK in Iowa." White hoods and robes. Cross burnings. Parades of Ku Klux Klan members on the streets and fairgrounds of Iowa’s small towns and cities. It all seems improbable—and yet it happened repeatedly […]
Join the German American Heritage Center 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 […]
Join the Spencer Municipal Library Trust for the presentation "One Nation Under Whose God? Law, Politics, and Religion in America" by Dennis Goldford. "Does the Constitution create a political order—a country—with a religious identity and mission of its own, or does it create a political order that allows and encourages individuals to have their own […]
Join the Adel Public Library on April 21st for this presentation by speaker John Liepa. How Iowa Met Baseball: the Myths, the History, the PlayersOver the past century the setting for the spring passion of many Iowans has been the ballpark. This presentation explores the myths of baseball’s origins, the early history and evolution of the […]
Join Muscatine Community College 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 […]
Who helped shape YOU into who you are today? A teacher. A coach. A mentor. Someone who believed in you. Join the Garner Chamber of Commerce as they honor those incredible individuals at the next community program: A Legacy of Service & Strength: Guidance & Growth Tuesday, April 21 3:45 PM GHV Middle School Gym […]
On April 21, 2026 at 6 p.m., the Winterset Public Library will host military historian Michael Vogt for a presentation on the history of Camp Dodge during World War I. Using period images, maps, letters, and data, Vogt explores how the small Iowa National Guard camp was transformed into the state’s largest military base, where […]
Join philosopher Scott Samuelson for What Do We Stand For?, a guided reflection and discussion series exploring the ideals behind the founding of the United States and how they resonate today. In recognition of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, this program encourages dialogue about our democracy across perspectives and generations. Free and open to […]
Experience Iowa history brought to life through a powerful one-man performance by longtime Iowa actor Tom Milligan. In American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace, Milligan portrays the visionary agricultural innovator, founder of Pioneer Hi-Bred seed corn, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and Vice President under Franklin D. Roosevelt. Based on the award-winning […]
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.
