The Friends of the Ackley Library will host Jeff Stein on March 23, 2026 for a Speakers Bureau program. For three decades, ventriloquist Duane Ellett and his beloved puppet Floppy entertained generations of Iowans on WHO-TV and at the Iowa State Fair. Broadcaster and historian Jeff Stein celebrates this television classic with stories, photos, and […]

The West Des Moines Public Library will host John Liepa on March 23, 2026, as part of the Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau. In this program, Liepa—professor emeritus, historian, and lifelong baseball card collector—explores the myths surrounding baseball’s origins, the game’s early history, and its spread to Iowa during the Civil War. Audiences will discover Iowa’s […]

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 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 the […]

Directed by Brian R. Farrell, Daria Fisher Page, and Ryan T. Sakoda (UI College of Law), Cultivating Rurality: Building Community around Rural Research will bring together scholars, community leaders, and professionals who work with rural populations and in rural spaces. During the symposium, attendees will be invited to collaborate in theorizing rurality, share how it impacts their work, examine how rurality […]

Join Indian Hills Community 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. […]

On March 30, 2026 at 1 p.m., the City of Indianola Parks & Recreation welcomes historian and broadcaster Jeff Stein for a nostalgic look back at The Floppy Show, the beloved Iowa children’s television program that ran from 1957 to 1987. Featuring stories, photos, and favorite moments from his book The Floppy Show, Stein highlights […]

Join the Dubuque County Library on March 30, 2026, 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, his presidency, and his […]

Join Central 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 speaker David Connon at the Ottumwa Public Library on March 31, 2026, to explore the impacts propaganda had on the Civil War. While troops fought in the South, Republicans waged a propaganda campaign in Iowa. They expertly demonized Democrats. Republicans were so successful that they controlled the state government for decades after Appomattox. David […]

Join the Friends of the Prairie City Public Library on March 31 for a Speakers Bureau presentation by speaker John Liepa. This presentation tells the story of how Iowa events and changing attitudes from 1830-1861 influenced its Civil War roles; the evolution and changing status of laws affecting black Iowans; the role played by Iowans […]

Join the Polk City Public Library on April 1, 2026 for a Speakers Bureau program featuring author Beth Hoffman. After leaving a career in San Francisco to take up farming in Iowa, Hoffman experienced firsthand the challenges facing today’s farmers. Her book, Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America, blends personal narrative with sharp […]