Tag: State Historical Society

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Living in Society

Closing the Historical Society in Iowa City

Exterior of the State Historical Society of Iowa Research Center in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The closure of the State Historical Society Research Center in Iowa City was announced earlier this month, and its doors are set to close at the end of June 2026. The building, also known as the Centennial Building, houses millions of national and state records and is set to transfer its records to the State Historical Building in Des Moines amid funding issues for the Iowa City location. At the time of its closure in June 2026, the building will have been in use for 70 years. (Mitchell Brinkmeyer/The Daily Iowan)

It appears the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Department of Administrative Services will proceed on their plan to close the State Historical Society building in Iowa City to the public on Dec. 31. An update from Mary Bennett can be found here.

Despite the Oct. 24 temporary injunction issued by Johnson County District Court Judge Keever, based on a lawsuit filed by historians, archivists, donors, and community members challenging the shutdown and relocation; and despite an agreement between the University of Iowa and the State of Iowa to provide access to some artifacts; little has happened to resolve the conflict. According to Bennett, the best solution would be to reverse the decision to close the facility. Except for the outcome of the lawsuit, that seems unlikely to happen.

I am interested in Iowa history. I infrequently used the Iowa City facility for research, despite its proximity. In fact, it’s been more than 40 years since I set foot inside. I have little idea what content exists there whether related to my writing or not. One of the potential consequences of the closure is some historical records could be transferred to other institutions or deaccessioned under State Historical Society policies. That means, a researcher would lose access to what is currently available and it would be difficult or impossible (if they were destroyed as part of deaccessioning) to locate artifacts once housed in the Centennial Building.

I take the closure of the Centennial Building as an assault on our history, something Republicans in the government appear to feel is okay.

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Living in Society

Survivor with Plans

Bur Oak tree on Aug. 20, 2025.

The Bur Oak tree near the front of our property is one of the few of our 20 trees unaffected by the 2020 Derecho. Most of the others were blown over outright or began a slow dance with nature to see when their last leaf-out will be. Most of them will be gone in five years because of injuries sustained during the derecho. A lot of work went into planting those trees. I have memories of each of them and who worked with me when planting.

When I wrote the outline for my autobiography, I figured it would end with the coronavirus pandemic. Little did I know that Donald Trump’s assault on society as we know it would be a thing. After eight months, it seems clear the baton I will take up has to do with intellectual freedom, which best matches my skill set. What form it will take is to be determined. I’m going to a rally about saving the State Historical Society building in Iowa City this Saturday. I should see like-minded people there and be able to hook up and get started on developing an initial plan with others.

I expect to be active again soon. Like the oak tree, I expect to survive the storm.