Jeff Stein: Iowans You Should Know

Hampton Public Library, 4 S Federal St, Hampton, IA 50441, USA

Iowans You Should Know: Stories from the Iowa Almanac (new in 2021)Did you know that the Eskimo Pie® was invented in Iowa? So was the electric razor, the clip-on bow tie, and the self-filling fountain pen. Iowa was also the childhood home of four Academy Award®-winning performers, and three different Iowa-born musical acts had national #1 […]

Jeff Stein: Iowans You Should Know

Ackley Public Library, 401 State St, Ackley, IA 50601, USA

Iowans You Should Know: Stories from the Iowa Almanac (new in 2021)Did you know that the Eskimo Pie® was invented in Iowa? So was the electric razor, the clip-on bow tie, and the self-filling fountain pen. Iowa was also the childhood home of four Academy Award®-winning performers, and three different Iowa-born musical acts had national #1 […]

Sarah Uthoff: In the Kitchen with Laura

Mowry Irvine Mansion, 503 W Main St, Marshalltown, IA 50158, USA

In the Kitchen with LauraIn the Kitchen With Laura mixes stories and information about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life with food history and hands-on cooking. It’s the 1930s and we find ourselves in Laura’s kitchen as she’s dealing with all the food coming in from a bountiful summer garden. Catch up with the story of her […]

Jeff Stein: From the Battlefront to the Homefront

Bricker-Price Block, 105 S Chestnut Ave, Earlham, IA 50072, USA

From the Battlefront to the Homefront: Iowa Broadcasters Go To WarThe bravery of American military members has been well-documented, often due to the unique reporting done by Iowa-based broadcasters on the scene. This presentation includes segments from a documentary by the same name, featuring vintage broadcasts and interviews with the journalists who covered conflicts from […]

Darcy Maulsby: Savor Iowa’s Culinary History

Marshalltown Public Library, 105 W Boone St, Marshalltown, IA 50158, USA

Savor Iowa’s amazing food heritage! Iowa’s delectable cuisine is quintessentially Midwestern, grounded in its rich farming heritage and spiced with diverse ethnic influences. From the chili-and-cinnamon-rolls phenomenon to Maid-Rites to the moveable feast known as RAGBRAI, discover the remarkable stories behind Iowa classics and savor a smorgasbord of other unique Iowa food traditions with this […]

Dennis Goldford: Political Polarization

Anita Public Library, 812 3rd St, Anita, IA 50020, USA

Political Polarization: It’s Ugly, and There’s No End in SightAmerican politics has entered a troubling if not potentially dangerous era that erupted in the 2020 elections, but this era did not begin and will not end with the Trump presidency. Why? This presentation will discuss the major factors that have led to our current political conflicts […]

OJ Fargo: Just Before the Battle Mother

Coggon Public Library, 202 E Main St, Coggon, IA 52218, USA

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). […]

Rosa Snyder: Glimpses of Iowa’s Capitol

Bricker-Price Block, 105 S Chestnut Ave, Earlham, IA 50072, USA

Glimpses of Iowa’s Capitol: Its History, Art, Architecture and RestorationJoin former state restoration painter, Rosa Snyder, as she divulges untold stories and reveals hidden treasures of Iowa’s most recognized landmark. When the building was constructed back in the 1870s-1880s almost every one of the 120 rooms was decorated with intricate designs on the ceilings and […]

Danuta Hutchins: Herbert Hoover’s Role in Distributing Food in Post WWI and WWII in Europe

Pella Public Library, 603 Main St, Pella, IA 50219, USA

Herbert Hoover’s Role in Distributing Food in Post WWI and WWII in EuropeAs a child, Dr. Hutchins experienced firsthand President Hoover’s distribution of food in Poland after WWII. A chapter in her book, “Torn Out Memories,” gives details of those experiences and her connection with the Hoover birthplace in West Branch.

Rosa Snyder: Glimpses of Iowa’s Capitol

Knights of Columbus, 123 3rd St W, Ottumwa, IA 52501, USA

Glimpses of Iowa’s Capitol: Its History, Art, Architecture and RestorationJoin former state restoration painter, Rosa Snyder, as she divulges untold stories and reveals hidden treasures of Iowa’s most recognized landmark. When the building was constructed back in the 1870s-1880s almost every one of the 120 rooms was decorated with intricate designs on the ceilings and […]

John Leipa: How Iowa Met Baseball

Adair Library, 312 Audubon St, Adair, IA 50002, USA

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 game, baseball’s journey to Iowa and the role of the Civil War in spreading its […]