THE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO CONSIDER CLOSURE OF CENTENNIAL BUILDING! 

Here is a link to Find Your Legislator: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find 

The Iowa Senate passed a bill in the Iowa Senate (SF 2293) on March 4, which “strikes the requirement that the department maintain such a research center in Iowa City.” SF 2293 is essentially a legalizing act for the action taken by DAS administrators in May 2025 to unilaterally close the Iowa City center without legislative approval or public input.

Iowa law is clear, there is to be a historical resource research center in Iowa City and Des Moines;

The closure of the Iowa City center is currently the subject of legal action, so please allow the courts to rule on this first.

Now is the time to express your opinion on the closure of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s research facility in Iowa City. Please counter the arguments used to justify this closure as their reasoning is based on misinformation and a lack of understanding of why citizens are concerned.

REMEMBER: IOWA CODE and ADMINISTRATIVE RULES currently mandate the existence of research facilities in Iowa City AND Des Moines!

Visit https://saveiowahistory.org/ for legal documents, fact checking, and updates.  Help others stay informed as we move forward.

 

TEMPORARY INJUNCTION GRANTED TO BLOCK REMOVAL OF COLLECTIONS on OCTOBER 24, 2025.

ALERT: Substantial portions of collections were removed in OCTOBER and the doors were closed to the public on December 31, 2025.

PLEASE CHECK THE FACTS – The recent agreement with the University of Iowa is not the solution we are seeking. The State Archivist Tony Jahn is distracting the public from the real issues about the care and identification of irreplaceable treasures from Iowa’s past. Please help protect these materials for future generations.

Pleases sign our petition today.

REACH OUT TO STATE OFFICIALS

Here is a link to Find Your Legislator: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find 

Governor Kimberly Reynolds kimberly.reynolds@iowa.gov  515-281-5211.

State Archivist Anthony Jahn. anthony.jahn@iowa.gov 515-666-9144

SHSI Administrator Valerie Van Kooten. valerie.vankooten@iowa.gov 515-281-8749

Director of Administrative Services Mark Campbell.  mark.campbell@iowa.gov 515-242-5120

[Former DAS Director Adam Steen resigned on August 19, 2025.] 

OVERARCHING MESSAGE

This is not a partisan issue.  The preservation of Iowa history and public access to historical collections is a pressing matter for all Iowans, both current and future.  History is a crucial part of the civic life of the state.

Restore Funding for the State Historical Society of Iowa Libraries and Archives. Keep physical records of Iowa history accessible to all.

THE IMMEDIATE THREAT (See below for ISSUES and CONCERNS)

THE DOORS ARE LOCKED! What about our Stuff?

BUDGET CUTS for the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) endanger the preservation of Iowa history contained in publications, diaries, letters, photographs, maps, oral histories, films, and other materials housed at the Society's two libraries in Des Moines and Iowa City. Drastic reductions in staff and collection management issues threaten public access to the state's history. Iowans risk being severed from their past. 

CAUTION: If you choose to sign the petition, be mindful that any requests for donations are for the benefit of Change.org, NOT the SAVE IOWA HISTORY coalition. We are not soliciting donations.

 

PETITION

On behalf of all Iowans and others interested in the history of the greater Midwest, the Save Iowa History Coalition makes the following requests of Iowa state officials:

1.     Guarantee accessibility to the physical records of Iowa's history at the State Historical Society of Iowa libraries and archives, as well as the State Archives.  Maintain the operation of the Iowa City SHSI branch located in the Centennial Building, which manages the materials collected since the institution's 1857 founding under the auspices of the University of Iowa.

2.     Provide funding sufficient to enable library staff to conserve, process, catalog, and manage the SHSI's valuable collections and acquire new ones.  Ensure that the libraries remain open to the public during regular business hours at least five days per week. 

3.     Make the budget and decision-making process for the DAS and SHSI more transparent and allow for public input into plans for the reorganization, dispersion, or digitization of the SHSI research collections. 

4.     Official decisions should honor SHSI’s legal, ethical, and fiduciary responsibilities, while keeping in mind the historical and intrinsic value of the collections the people of Iowa established and invested in for 168 years. Protecting the integrity of the institution’s legacy and commitments made to past, present, and future generations of Iowans should remain at the forefront. 

Thank you for signing the petition.  If you wish to make your voice more widely heard, write or call the Governor of Iowa, your Iowa state legislators, the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, and/or the State Historical Society of Iowa. Tell them to restore the cuts to staff and hours of the SHSI libraries that have long served the state so well. Insist that the DAS abide by the Mission Statement of the State Historical Society of Iowa under Iowa Code. 

CAUTION: If you choose to sign the petition, be mindful that any requests for donations are for the benefit of Change.org, NOT the SAVE IOWA HISTORY coalition. We are not soliciting donations.

ISSUES and CONCERNS:

1.     The State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) was placed under the Iowa Department of Administrative Services (DAS) when Governor Reynolds reorganized state government in 2022. Appropriations from the General Fund continue to decline, compromising the mission of the institution. 

2.     Iowa’s governor decided to close the Iowa City Research Center as of June 30, 2025, without prior notice or public input from the Board of the State Historical Society of Iowa, the Iowa Historical Foundation, or other stakeholders including staff, researchers, donors, partner institutions, or State Historical Society, Inc.

3.     At risk is the preservation of and access to Iowa’s unique documentary record, particularly if the research collections housed in the archival facility located at 402 Iowa Avenue in Iowa City are re-located to Des Moines, possibly dispersed to partner institutions, or even deaccessioned. 

4.     Four FTE professional staff in the Libraries and Archives were recently laid off, including two in Des Moines and two in Iowa City (who will remain until December 31, 2025). Insufficient staffing exists at both locations for the proper transfer of materials from Iowa City or to provide quality reference services.

5.     Aside from budgetary constraints, an even greater problem is the decades-long determination of the governor and SHSI leadership to starve research collections and reallocate staff and resources to activities unrelated to preserving a permanent documentary record of the state’s history.

6.     The publication of the SHSI academic journal, The Annals of Iowa, which began in 1866, will be discontinued in 2025. Valuable scholarly investigations into Iowa’s role in the nation and world will be curtailed, especially if access to primary source materials is diminished with poor collection management.

7.     There is a fundamental lack of historical and archival expertise at the senior decision-making levels in DAS and SHSI.

8.     SHSI abandoned the shared online catalog system formed in partnership with the University of Iowa Libraries in favor of an inferior online catalog, with yearly contract maintenance costs. Not all collections are in the online catalog.

9.     SHSI moved forward on vacating the Iowa City facility prior to any announcements about closure and has actively engaged in dismantling programs long fostered by SHSI, privatized Iowa newspaper holdings, and suspended work with county records preservation.

10.    Replacing compact shelving in Des Moines by 2028 was a necessity, though intended primarily for existing archival holdings. SHSI’s facility in Des Moines lacks sufficient space and staffing to absorb and properly house materials currently housed in the Iowa City facility.

For further information and updates, visit Facebook:

SAVE IOWA HISTORY 2025 Redux

Save Iowa History [2015]

PRESS COVERAGE

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/03/04/senate-passes-bill-allowing-iowa-historical-research-center-closure/ 

https://www.swiowanewssource.com/news/state/article_2a0e2d3e-89d0-5bb2-b005-057dd2a3bd97.html

Robin Opsahl, "Senate passes bill allowing Iowa historical research center closure," Iowa Capital Dispatch, March 4, 2026, and SW Iowa News, March 4, 2026.

https://www.kcrg.com/2026/02/12/lawmakers-debate-school-dress-codes-nitrous-oxide-iowa-city-research-center

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/02/11/lawmakers-debate-school-dress-codes-nitrous-oxide-iowacity-research-center/

Robin Opsahl, "Iowa City Research Center (regarding Senate File 3033, now Senate File 2293)," Iowa Capital Dispatch, February 11, 2026, and KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, February 12, 2026.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2026/02/04/iowa-city-historical-society-closure-lawsuits/88492157007

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/local/2026/02/04/iowa-city-historical-society-closure-lawsuits/88492157007

Ryan Hansen, "Iowa City Historical Society closure sparks new legal fight over archives," Iowa City Press-Citizen, and Des Moines Register, February 4, 2026.

https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/second-lawsuit-filed-in-state-historical-societys-iowa-city-closure/#/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shareArticleButton&utm_campaign=shareArticleButton

Vanessa Miller, "Second lawsuit filed in State Historical Society's Iowa City Closure," Cedar Rapids Gazette, February 2, 2026.

https://dailyiowan.com/2026/01/30/iowa-city-community-celebrates-legal-milestone-in-fight-to-save-state-historical-society-library/

Ariel Kolder, “Iowa City community celebrates legal milestone in fight to save State Historical Society library,” The Daily Iowan, January 30, 2026.

https://www.press-citizen.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/go-iowa-city/2026/01/30/state-historical-society-iowa-city-founders-day/88425502007/ 

Julia Hansen, “See photos of the State Historical Society Founders’ Day celebration,” Iowa City Press-Citizen, January 30, 2026.

https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/supreme-court-refuses-to-review-order-preventing-state-from-removing-iowa-city-historical-material/

Vanessa Miller, "Supreme Court refuses to review order preventing state from removing Iowa City historical material," Cedar Rapids Gazette, January 26, 2026.

https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/senate-panel-advances-bill-to-drop-iowa-city-archive-mandate-setting-up-fight-over-state-historical

Tom Barton, "Senate panel advances bill to drop Iowa City archive mandate, setting up fight over State Historical Society closure: a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a competing measure in the Iowa House that would keep the center open," Cedar Rapids Gazette, January 20, 2026.

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/01/20/bill-would-allow-state-to-close-historical-society-center-in-iowa-city/

Robin Opsahl, "Bill would allow state to close Historical Society center in Iowa City," Iowa Capital Dispatch, January 20, 2026.

https://www.kcrg.com/2026/01/21/senate-committee-advances-bill-close-iowa-city-history-society

Conner Woodruff, "Senate committee advances bill to close Iowa City history society," KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, January 20, 2026.

https://www.kimt.com/news/iowa-senate-considers-closure-of-state-historical-society/article_7569d5e7-a891-5344-abdc-14b15ba23f7e.html

Natalie Reittinger, "Iowa Senate considers closure of state historical society," KIMT-TV, Mason City, Iowa, Rochester and Albert Lea, Minnesota, January 20, 2026.

https://dailyiowan.com/2026/01/20/iowa-lawmakers-propose-requirements-for-historical-research-centers-amid-centennial-building-closure-debate/

Jacob Calvin, "Iowa lawmakers propose requirements for historical research centers amid centennial building closure debate," The Daily Iowan, January 20, 2026.

https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/bipartisan-bill-would-reverse-iowa-city-historical-society-closure

Vanessa Miller, "Bipartisan bill would reverse Iowa City historical society closure," Cedar Rapids Gazette, January 13, 2026.

https://www.thegazette.com/higher-education/state-historical-society-ui-deal-can-be-terminated-if-lawmakers-change-iowa-code

Vanessa Miller, "State Historical Society UI deal can be terminated if lawmakers change Iowa code," Cedar Rapids Gazette, January 12, 2026.

https://www.thegazette.com/history/time-machine-iowa-citys-centennial-building

Diane Fannon-Langton, "Time Machine: Iowa City's Centennial Building," Cedar Rapids Gazette, January 11, 2026.

https://littlevillagemag.com/petition-to-reverse-closure-of-iowa-city-archives-rejected/

Paul Brennan, "Petition to reverse closure of Iowa City archives rejected as state defends against lawsuit, lawmakers," Little Village, January 7, 2026.

https://www.kcrg.com/2026/01/07/state-historical-society-limit-collections-access-with-centennial-building-closed-public/

Jackson Valenti, “State Historical Society To Limit Collection Access with Centennial Building closed to public,” KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, January 6, 2026.

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/local/2026/01/06/iowa-city-state-historical-society-location-closure-permitted/88036762007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-ds=timeout

Ryan Hansen, “Closure of Iowa City's Historical Society site was OK, state org rules,” Iowa City Press-Citizen, January 6, 2026.

https://digitaledition.thegazette.com/?token=02fd1e6c1ff0d7dd613061e18a9d00b9_695e01a2_7105_0

Vanessa Miller, "State clears itself of wrongdoing in closing Historical Society’s Iowa City facility," Cedar Rapids Gazette, January 6, 2026.  

https://www.kcrg.com/2025/12/31/historic-archives-close-public-iowa-citys-centennial-building/

Brian Tabick, "Iowa City State Historical Society building closes to public," KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, December 31, 2025.

https://www.press-citizen.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2025/12/31/see-inside-iowa-citys-centennial-building-as-archival-library-closes/87978012007

 Julia Hansen, "See inside Iowa City's Centennial Building as archival library closes," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 31, 2025.

https://www.thegazette.com/guest-columnists/states-iowa-city-archives-plan-is-flawed

Susan Futrell, "Iowa City archives plan is flawed," Cedar Rapids Gazette, December 28, 2025.

https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-des-moines-register/20251221/282548729618697

Colin Gordon and colleagues, "Closing archive branch would be blow to UI," Des Moines Sunday Register, December 21, 2025.

https://www.kcrg.com/2025/12/21/historian-critical-university-iowa-agreement-house-state-historical-society-collection/

Jackson Valenti, "Historian critical of University of Iowa agreement to house State Historical Society collection," KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, December 21, 2025.

https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/historical-society-reaches-deal-with-university-of-iowa-to-offer-access-to-iowa-city-research-materi/

Vanessa Miller, “Historical Society reaches agreement with UI to offer access to Iowa City research materials,” Cedar Rapids Gazette, December 20, 2025.

https://littlevillagemag.com/coalition-forms-to-save-the-centennial-building/

Paul Brennan, "Historians, union and legislators fight to save the Centennial Building and its archive," Little Village, December 11, 2025.

https://dailyiowan.com/2025/12/04/guest-opinion-its-up-to-us-to-protect-our-history/?print=true 

Shelton Stromquist, "It's up to us to protect our history," The Daily Iowan, December 4, 2025.
 
https://littlevillagemag.com/peak-iowa-joan-liffring-zug-photographer/

John Busbee, "Joan Liffring-Zug photographed presidents, everyday Iowans and her own son’s birth. But her legacy goes well beyond the lens," and Paul Brennan, "An Archive in Peril," Little Village, December 5, 2025.

https://dailyiowan.com/2025/10/14/motion-for-temporary-injunction-discussed-in-iowa-city-state-historical-society-case/

Grace Bartlett, "Motion for temporary injunction discussed in Iowa City State Historical Society case," The Daily Iowan, October 14, 2025.

https://dailyiowan.com/2025/10/14/lawsuit-filed-by-historians-professors-and-donors-over-closure-of-iowa-city-state-historical-society/

Grace Bartlett, "Lawsuit filed by historians, professors, and donors over closure of Iowa City State Historical Society," The Daily Iowan, October 14, 2025.

https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/court-hearing-set-to-decide-fate-of-iowa-citys-historical-archives

Feven Zewdu, "Court Hearing Set to Decide Fate of Iowa City's Historical Archives," CBS Channel 2, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, October 14, 2025.

https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/10/10/the-theft-of-history/

Marian Wilson Kimber, "The Theft of History," Bleeding Heartland, October 10, 2025.

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/local/2025/10/03/iowa-state-historical-society-lawsuit-iowa-city-research-library/86498151007/

Ryan Hansen, "Iowa State Historical Society lawsuit Iowa City research library," Iowa City Press Citizen, October 3, 2025.

https://www.thegazette.com/crime-courts/historians-professors-donors-sue-over-closure-of-state-historical-societys-iowa-city-facility/

Vanessa Miller, "Historians, professors, donors sue over closure of State Historical Society's Iowa City facility," Cedar Rapids Gazette, October 2, 2025.

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/02/lawsuit-filed-against-states-move-to-close-iowa-city-state-historical-society-of-iowa-center/

Robin Opsahl. "Lawsuit filed against state's move to close Iowa City State Historical Society of Iowa center," Iowa Capital Dispatch, Des Moines, Iowa, October 2, 2025.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/historians-donors-sue-state-historical-society-over-iowa-city-facility-closure/ar-AA1NJ57U?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=68de93bd5b0c43749898c45cd18e83ef&ei=9

KCRG staff. "Historians, donors sue State Historical Society over Iowa City facility closure," Cedar Rapids, Iowa, October 1, 2025.

https://www.kcrg.com/2025/10/02/historians-donors-sue-state-historical-society-over-iowa-city-facility-closure/

KCRG staff, "Historians, donors sue State Historical Society over Iowa City facility closure," Cedar Rapids, Iowa, October 2, 2025.

https://www.rarebookhub.com/articles/3915

Susan Halas, “Iowa State Historical Archives in Iowa City Endangered,” Rare Book Monthly, September 2025. 

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2025/09/01/iowa-city-history-facility-shutdown-would-be-costly/85854013007/

Linda K. Kerber and David W. Blight, Guest opinion, "What we’ll lose if Iowa’s history shutdown succeeds," Des Moines Sunday Register, August 31, 2025.

https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/08/31/a-person-with-no-sense-of-history-has-a-paper-thin-soul/

Greg Wickenkamp, "A Person With No Sense of History Has A Paper-Thin Soul," Bleeding Heartland, August 31, 2025.

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2025/08/29/the-iowa-city-historical-library-should-be-closed-letters/85887433007/

John Brown, “The Iowa City Historical Library Should be Closed,” Iowa City Press Citizen, August 29, 2025.

https://theprairieprogressive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-09-prairie-progressive.pdf

Kim Painter, “This may sound cold,” The Prairie Progressive, Iowa City, Iowa, September 2025.

https://www.historians.org/news/aha-sends-letter-in-support-of-the-state-historical-society-of-iowa-research-center/

Announcement about American Historical Association sending a letter in support of the State Historical Society of Iowa Research Center, August 28, 2025.

https://thenews-ia.com/stories/joco-supervisors-join-fight-to-save-state-historical-society-research-center,155390

Paul D. Bowker, “JoCo Supervisors Join Fight To Save State Historical Society Research Center,” The News, Kalona, Iowa, August 28, 2025.

https://www.bellevueheraldleader.com/opinion/state-set-to-diminish-and-destroy-iowa-history-please-help-stop/article_e84c32d6-cbcf-4b5e-90a4-454cdcb438e3.html

Susan Lucke, “State Set to Diminish and Destroy Iowa History – Please Help Stop,” Bellevue Herald Leader, August 27, 2025.

https://youtu.be/SMncHdWcPPo?si=hnl41WTVKQyMG6JJ

Zachary Oren Smith with Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker, “Iowa City Historical Society Center closure: What a 60% loss means (PT 2),” Cornhole Champions #37, Iowa Starting Line, August 27, 2025.

https://dailyiowan.com/2025/08/26/hundreds-march-against-state-historical-society-of-iowas-iowa-city-research-building-closure/

Jacob Calvin, “Hundreds March Against State Historical Society of Iowa’s Iowa City Research Building Closure,” The Daily Iowan, August 26, 2025.

Ryan Hansen, “Show of Support for State Historical Society,” Iowa City Press Citizen, August 25, 2025.

https://blogforiowa.com/

Paul Deaton, "What About Our Stuff?" Blog for Iowa, August 25, 2025.

https://ouriowaheritage.com/saving-shsi/

Marty Boller, “Saving SHSI and Iowa City’s Centennial Building,” Our Iowa Heritage website, August 23, 2025.

https://www.press-citizen.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2025/08/23/residents-rally-to-save-iowa-citys-state-historical-society/85800218007/

Ryan Hansen, "Residents Rally To Save Iowa City's State Historical Society," Iowa City Press Citizen, August 23, 2025.

http://homegrowniowan.com/iowans-rally-in-iowa-city-to-save-states-history/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMY1OBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgdSsqS5XBS9PSTTduDjw2dG57VKHYezncPkrokMXPl5S6GLW_ym7Gv4AGcG_aem_R6QQsL-fkqUnDEPI8DTWxg

Cindy Hadish, "Iowans Rally in Iowa City to Save States History?" Homegrown Iowan, August 23, 2025.

https://www.kcrg.com/2025/08/24/hundreds-rally-save-state-historical-society-iowa-centennial-building/

Lacey Reeves, "Hundreds Rally Save State Historical Society Centennial Building," KCRG-TV, August 23, 2025.

https://youtube.com/shorts/QYxJC6km2yk?si=BOxsPVsGSGKucRk5

Labor Notes, Dave Moore, Forrest Huesinkveld perform in front of State Historical Society of Iowa at 402 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa, August 23, 2025.

https://youtu.be/gcTDHdAkHSU

Ty Coleman, Producer, Iowa City Government Channel 4,“Reverse the Decision Rally,” hosted by Save Iowa History 2025 coalition, Iowa Labor History Society, and concerned citizens, Iowa City Public Library, August 23, 2025.

https://www.chronicletimes.com/stories/help-stop-state-destruction-of-iowa-historical-society-materials,159770

"Help Stop State Destruction of Iowa Historical Society Materials," Cherokee Chronicle Times, August 22, 2025.

https://littlevillagemag.com/save-iowa-history-rally-iowa-city-state-historical-society/

Paul Brennan, “Save Iowa History Rally Iowa City State Historical Society,” Little Village, August 20, 2025.

https://www.thegazette.com/local-government/johnson-county-supervisors-oppose-planned-closure-of-state-historical-society-building/

Megan Woolard, “Johnson County Supervisors Oppose Planned Closure of State Historical Society Building,” Cedar Rapids Gazette, August 21, 2025. 

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2025/08/20/rally-planned-for-iowa-citys-state-historical-society-of-iowa/85732313007/

Jessica Rish, “Rally Planned For Iowa City's State Historical Society of Iowa,” Iowa City Press Citizen, August 20, 2025.

https://www.radioiowa.com/2025/08/20/protest-planned-over-closing-of-iowa-city-historical-research-center/

"Protest Planned Over Closing of Iowa City Historical Research Center, Radio Iowa, August 20, 2025.

https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk-of-iowa/2025-08-20/state-historical-research-center-in-iowa-city-set-to-close-in-2026?fbclid=IwY2xjawMTllFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE4U241UzRxazNxSHQ5OVM0AR5urfNmk1b420tWsLdryqRO2dJEUilCyRc42Djc67UPiE9xjVDIzu6k4Ia7PA_aem_sOaatYVaOj_o5YRUE4RcxA

Charity Nebbe hosts Mary Bennett, Anthony Jahn, and Valerie Van Kooten on Talk of Iowa, Iowa Public Radio, August 20, 2025.

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/08/19/former-iowa-administrator-adam-steen-announces-gop-campaign-for-governor/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMTpqlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHm9uJgLr4s86Mjq22oA99zJdhU4XMUZk5CbCuCxa8FfESD0lsLAgzBcC9W_C_aem_Oju4tzL6LUKAU8nL4AiyHg

Robin Opsahl, "Former Iowa Administrator Adam Steen Announces GOP Campaign for Governor," Capital Dispatch, August 19, 2025. Resigned as Director of Department of Administrative Services.

https://www.indianola-ia.com/opinion/jenny-fee-save-iowas-history-from-the-bargain-bin/article_6994d9fb-fa35-457e-b83f-bce9cc864ce1.html

Jenny Fee, "Save Iowa's History From the Bargain Bin," Indianola Independent Advocate, August 19, 2025.

https://www.rcreader.com/news-releases/save-iowa-history-invites-iowans-help-stop-state-destruction-historical-society

Charles Wishman, "Save Iowa History Invites Iowans to Help Stop Destruction of the State's Historical Treasures," River Cities' Reader, August 18, 2025.

https://www.kcrg.com/2025/08/18/save-iowa-group-pushing-save-materials-iowa-historical-society-with-petition-event/

Staff writer, “Save Iowa group pushing to save materials from Iowa Historical Society with a petition, event,” KCRG-TV, August 18, 2025.

https://soloneconomist.com/2025/08/13/news/iowans-rally-to-save-state-historical-research-center-in-iowa-city/  

Bri Brands article from The Daily Iowan, July 29 reprinted in the Solon Economist, August 13, 2025.

https://www.bellevueheraldleader.com/opinion/rally-to-preserve-iowa-history-aug-23/article_a417b69a-868d-4feb-807f-88bc43db3ed5.html

Paula Mohr, “Rally to Preserve Iowa History,” Bellevue Herald Leader, August 14, 2025. Also appeared in Cedar Rapids Gazette, August 14, 2025, Van Buren County Register, Louisa County, Maquoketa, and elsewhere in eastern Iowa.

https://digitaledition.thegazette.com?selDate=20250812&goTo=A06&artid=3&editionStart=The%20Gazette

Shelton Stromquist, "Don't Pull the Plug on Iowa City History Library," Cedar Rapids Gazette, Green edition online, August 12, 2025. Also appeared in Iowa City Press Citizen, August 15, 2025.

https://share.google/lQfEfAp4BbT6rut3N

Tommy Lang, “Friends of Historic Preservation call out State Historical Society of Iowa over closure of Iowa City location,” KCJJ-AM and KFMH-FM Radio, August 9, 2025.

https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/08/03/we-could-lose-a-piece-of-iowa-history/

Bruce Lear, “We Could Lose A Piece of Iowa History,” Bleeding Heartland, August 3, 2025. Also appeared in Cedar Rapids Gazette, August 2, 2025. https://www.thegazette.com/guest-columnists/we-could-lose-a-piece-of-iowa-history/

https://www.stormlake.com/stories/letters-to-the-editor-iowa-state-historical-society,156696

https://www.stormlake.com/stories/letters-to-the-editor-iowa-state-historical-society,156696

David Leshtz letter, “Secrecy is the hallmark of the Reynolds Administration,” Storm Lake Pilot Tribune, July 31, 2025. Also appeared in The Prairie Progressive, Iowa City, Iowa, September 2025, https://theprairieprogressive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-09-prairie-progressive.pdf

https://littlevillagemag.com/letter-to-the-editor-save-state-historical-society-iowa-city/

David McCartney letter appeared in Little Village; Cedar Rapids Gazette, August 3, 2025; and Storm Lake Pilot Tribune, August 7, 2025, https://www.stormlake.com/stories/concerning-the-closure-of-the-shsi-iowa-city-research-library,157614

https://dailyiowan.com/2025/07/29/iowans-rally-to-save-state-historical-research-center-in-iowa-city/?print=true

Bri Brands, “Iowans Rally to Save Historical Research Center in Iowa City,” The Daily Iowan, July 29, 2025.

https://barnraisingmedia.com/iowa-republicans-are-trying-to-erase-the-states-history/

Suzan Erem, “Iowa Republican are Trying to Erase the State’s History,” Barn Raiser, July 24, 2025.

https://www.kcrg.com/2025/07/17/people-worry-history-could-be-lost-iowa-state-historical-society-buildings-closure/

Jackson Valenti, “People Worry History Could be Lost, Iowa State Historical Building Closure,” KCRG-TV, July 17, 2025.

https://www.thegazette.com/article/historians-argue-against-closure-of-iowa-city-centennial-building-archives/

Evan Watson, “Historians Argue Against Closure of Iowa City Centennial Building Archives,” Cedar Rapids Gazette, July 14, 2025.

https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2025-07-07/historians-outraged-over-iowa-historical-society-cuts

Lucia Cheng, “Historians Outraged Over Iowa Historical Society Cuts,” Iowa Public Radio, July 7, 2025.

https://www.thegazette.com/fires/iowa-city-investigating-cause-of-fire-on-state-historical-society-building-thursday-night/

Report on fire on roof of Centennial Building in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids Gazette, July 4, 2025.

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/opinion/columnists/2025/07/05/if-you-will-not-fight-for-clean-water-get-out-letters/84459183007/

Marybeth Slonneger, "Making Use of the State Historical Society in Iowa City," Iowa City Press Citizen, July 5, 2025. Follow link and scroll down. 

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/opinion/columnists/2025/07/03/speaking-for-the-stuff-of-iowa-history-guest-column/84449857007/

Rebecca Conard, “Speaking for the Stuff of Iowa History,” Iowa City Press Citizen, July 3, 2025.

https://www.timesrepublican.com/news/todays-news/2025/07/two-books-with-tama-county-connections-recognized-by-state-historical-society/

Robert Maharry, “Two Books with Tama County Connections Recognized by State Historical Society,” Marshalltown Times Republican, July 2, 2025. Concerns Red Earth Nation by Eric S. Zimmer and The People Are Kind by Bill Douglas, with comments about closure of SHSI, Iowa City.

https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/01/state-historical-society-iowa-centennial-building

Jason Clayworth, “Backlash grows as Iowa closes historic research center,” AXIOS Des Moines, July 1, 2025.

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2025/06/26/coalition-disputes-historical-societys-closure-of-iowa-city-building/84370092007/

Jessica Rish, “Coalition Disputes Historical Society’s Closure of Iowa City Building,” Iowa City Press Citizen, June 26, 2025.

https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2025-06-04/annals-of-iowa-state-historical-society-journal

Lucia Cheng, “State government ending 163-year-old partnership with Iowa’s historical journal,” Iowa Public Radio, June 4, 2025.

 

Iowa Code 8A.707 lists the Powers and Duties of the [State Historical Society] Board [of Trustees] and the Department [of Administrative Services]. Within that section of the Code, item 2 (b) directs "The Department shall maintain research centers in Des Moines and Iowa City." 8A.pdf Subchapters VI and VII

Administrative Rules are still in effect but have not yet been moved and renumbered to reflect that the library and archives, and museum portions of the former Historical Division have now been placed within the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. According to the Iowa Administrative Code published 6/25/2025, the rules governing the Historical Division are still listed under IAC 223.

Within the Iowa Administrative Code, 223-Ch 1, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 49, and 50 pertain to programs now housed in the Department of Administrative Services.  Iowa Legislature - Agency

State Historical Society of Iowa's website includes strategic plans, mission statement, and core values guiding the institution.  https://history.iowa.gov/about/strategic-plans

Photo caption: State history journals removed and shelving dismantled to expose asbestos tile underneath. Entire building had asbestos abatement in 1996, except areas covered by heavy, loaded shelving. Now the State Archivist Tony Jahn has created and then neglected a serious health hazard.