Donald Shurr: Lewis & Clark in Iowa

West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA

Lewis and Clark in Iowa“Lewis and Clark in Iowa” begins with the story before the expedition: the sale of the Louisiana Purchase to the United States. Tracing the 1803 course from Elizabeth, Pennsylvania to St. Charles, Missouri, Shurr discusses the background of the many “players” of the expedition including York, the engages and Seaman. Moving […]

Beth Hoffman: Bet the Farm

Lied Public Library, 100 E Garfield St, Clarinda, IA 51632, USA

Beth Hoffman was living the good life: she had a career as a journalist and professor, and a comfortable home in San Francisco. Yet in her late 40s, she and her husband decided to leave the big city and move to his family farm in Iowa—all for the dream of becoming a farmer, to put […]

Helen Lewis: Voicing a Cause, Voicing a Self

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

Voicing a Cause, Voicing a Self: Jane Addams at the Hull HouseThroughout her long career advocating the needs of impoverished immigrants, exploited laborers, youth criminals and war victims, Jane Addams valued Hull House, her settlement house in Chicago, as the center from which she and her colleagues could assist others, improve society and benefit themselves. […]

OJ Fargo: Greyhounds and Hawkeyes—Iowa in the Civil War

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

Greyhounds and Hawkeyes—Iowa in the Civil WarThe program details Iowa’s involvement in the Civil War from Ft. Sumter to the surrender at Appomattox. Although he focuses on the everyday experiences of a soldier in the field, Mr. Fargo also describes the situation on the home front and politics of the era. Audience questions are welcome.

John Liepa: Iowa’s Role in the Civil War

Greene County Historical Society, 219 E Lincoln Way, Jefferson, IA 50129, USA

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 during the war, including key individuals and battles; the home front; and finally, the immediate and long-term impact on Iowa history.

Jeff Stein: Iowans You Should Know

Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, 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 […]

Beth Hoffman: Bet the Farm

West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA

BethHoffman was living the good life: she had a career as a journalist andprofessor, and a comfortable home in San Francisco. Yet in her late 40s, sheand her husband decided to leave the big city and move to his family farm inIowa—all for the dream of becoming a farmer, to put into practice everythingshe had […]

John Liepa: Iowa’s Ethnic Heritage

Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA

Iowa’s Ethnic Heritage, or “Who Do You Think We Are?”Enjoy the unfolding and changing adventure of Iowa’s immigration history. Beginning with the Ioway, one of 17 distinctive indigenous tribal groups, we’ll trace chronologically who we are as Iowans. From Spanish explorers and French trappers, traders and priests; to the dominant English, Germans and Irish; to Scandinavians, Dutch […]

Darcy Maulsby: Savor Iowa’s Culinary History

Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, USA

Savor Iowa’s Culinary History 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 […]