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 […]

The Malvern Public Library will host historian and broadcaster Jeff Stein on December 8, 2025, for an engaging presentation highlighting Iowa’s remarkable people and achievements. From inventors and entertainers to athletes and civic leaders, Stein shares inspiring stories of both famous and lesser-known Iowans, drawing on his popular Iowa Almanac radio segments. Tailored for local audiences, this program celebrates […]

Event Details Andrew Clemens (1857-1894) created sand art in bottles that draw reactions of astonishment and disbelief. Deaf by the age of 6, he had a challenging early childhood. Growing up in a supportive family and community, he persevered. In his youth, he began creating sand art that he sold from his home and local […]

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 the Toledo Community Theatre Guild 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 […]