Hello

We must remain vigilant and work together to change the false narrative perpetuated by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and State Historical Society of Iowa. The best way forward is to REVERSE the DECISION to permanently close our facility to the public in TEN days.

The State Historical Society of Iowa's Administrators in Des Moines issued a press release indicating the public could continue to access historical collections due to an agreement with the University of Iowa. This is not the solution we are seeking as it disguises several critical points at issue in our campaign to KEEP the DOORS open at the Centennial building in Iowa City. 

The offer to transport materials to the University of Iowa only pertains to collections housed in Iowa City that were removed to Des Moines by prison laborers prior to the October 24 temporary injunction issued by Johnson County District Court Judge Keever.

Although the public was promised access to ALL collections until December 31, 2025, Archivist Tony Jahn hampered researchers by rushing to remove as many library materials as he could - such as 10,000 reels of microfilm including newspapers for Iowa towns A-Z (except Iowa City), thousands of books and periodicals, a massive World War II clipping file, and many other fragile materials. (See updates: https://history.iowa.gov/research/collection-iowa-city

The offer to provide interlibrary loan services in lieu of maintaining a research center in Iowa City does not provide access to collections still housed in the Centennial building, primarily archival collections including manuscripts, photographs, maps, sound recordings, and films. The State Historical Society of Iowa will not admit the Des Moines facility lacks adequate space, staffing, and funding to comport with professional library and archival standards. In particular, identification of collection holdings will be particularly problematic, thus blocking patrons from fulfilling their reference needs.

The unconscionable conduct by these officials demonstrates a disregard for the historical value and educational relevance of these collections. Please examine these issues carefully and use common sense when considering whether this new plan might destroy the cohesiveness of collections and place our shared history in harm's way.

Thank you for your concern and please express your opinions about this nonpartisan issue to your elected representatives in the coming session of the Iowa Legislature.  We are counting on your support as most likely a legal remedy will take some time. Follow our story at https://saveiowahistory.org/

We appreciate those who love Iowa and want to honor our place in the nation's story, as well as how our own families and communities fit into the broader picture of human existence.

Let's hope 2026 brings positive change!