Events

Event Details Presented in recognition of LGBTQ+ History Month, join Ben Millett, the Des Moines Art Center’s 2025 Iowa Artist, for an artist lecture. During this talk, Millett will discuss how he came to the technique of quilting as his artistic medium, the influence of modernist artists such as Ellsworth Kelly, and how his work has […]

Join speaker Scott Samuelson at the Polk City Community Library on March 10 to learn more about AI and its implications for the future. This presentation focuses on the big moral and political issues surrounding artificial intelligence. What exactly is AI? Can it make our lives and our communities better, or is it going to […]

The Friends of the Ackley Public Library will host Jennifer Sterling on October 21, 2025 for a Speakers Bureau program. Sterling, a Lecturer in Sport Studies at the University of Iowa, explores Iowa’s unique 6-on-6 girls’ basketball tradition, which lasted until 1993. This multimedia presentation traces the history of the game, its role in shaping […]

Event Details Join author Megan Bannister to uncover some of the state's wackiest attractions and guide your next adventure around Iowa. Dive in and discover the state’s unique history and quirky places through the book, Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. Learn about hidden gems and the surprising backstories of places […]

The Fairbank Public Library will host Sarah Uthoff on November 1, 2025 for a Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau program. Uthoff, a librarian, educator, and nationally recognized Laura Ingalls Wilder researcher, presents an engaging overview of Wilder’s life and legacy. Featuring slides from all the historic Wilder sites, this program offers audiences of all ages a chance to connect with the beloved […]

Just Before the Battle Mother—A Visit from a Civil War SoldierMr. 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). […]

Sara Jo Cohen, Editorial Director at University of Michigan Press, will conduct a faculty book proposal workshop, graduate and undergraduate student sessions, one-on-one editorial consultations, and give a public lecture.

Speakers Bureau Event: Michael Vogt – Camp Dodge: Home Away from Home 1917–1918The Adams County Historic Preservation Commission will host historian Michael Vogt for two programs on Thursday, November 6, 2025, exploring the pivotal role of Camp Dodge during World War I. Vogt, curator at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, will share the story […]

The Missouri Valley Public Library will host Civil War historian O.J. Fargo on November 6, 2025 for a first-person presentation that brings history to life. Appearing in full Union Army uniform, Fargo portrays an Iowa soldier returning from the war, sharing vivid stories of battlefield experiences and the challenges of daily life during the conflict. Audience members […]

The Pella Public Library will host educator Helen Lewis on November 11, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. for a thought-provoking exploration of how Native American women have been portrayed in Western films. Using film clips, Lewis highlights their roles as healers, counselors, and warriors, challenging stereotypes and offering a fresh perspective on these classic movies. This […]

Event Details If you've heard of Amelia Bloomer, it's probably for the last thing she wanted as her legacy: bloomers. Join Sara Catterall, author of the new biography Amelia Bloomer: Journalist, Suffragist, and Anti-Fashion Icon, to learn about Bloomer's life and work after her move to Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1854. There, Bloomer continued her […]

The Terrace Hill Partnership will host historian and author Darcy Maulsby on November 13, 2025 at 5 p.m. 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 […]