Hello allies

Thank you for the enormous outpouring of support as we faced the first obstacle in the Iowa Senate.

The Iowa Department of Administrative Services (DAS) introduced a bill in the Iowa Senate (SSB 3033), which “strikes the requirement that the department maintain such a research center in Iowa City.”

Despite our efforts to block the bill, a subcommittee of the State Government Committee voted 2 to 1 to pass it. We made an impressive showing with a packed room of vocal advocates representing historians, archivists, historic preservationists, archaeologists, scholars and educations, a pioneer cemetery protector, & four skilled lobbyists. More than 64 viewers joined online with several more unable to log in despite trying. More than 125 allies submitted outstanding testimony online. Our Save Iowa History petition has 8,080 signatures. We expected this result and thank Senator Staed for voting against this DAS bill to eliminate SHSI in Iowa City.

This bill is aimed at finalizing the closure and dissolution of the State Historical Society of Iowa in Iowa City, which has provided generations of Iowans and educators with critical access to the state's historical legacy since 1857. 

Now is the time to express your opinion to the State Senator representing your district. Ask them to reconsider how the closure of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s research facility in Iowa City will impact Iowans. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find 

This is the first step in our attempt to defeat this bill so please help influence discussion during meetings of the larger State Government committee or during debate on the Iowa Senate floor.  Contact information for Senators on the STATE GOVERNMENT committee can be found at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=91&groupID=702 

We are confident that we will prevail with your help. The Department of Administrative Services skirted the existing Iowa Code when closing the Centennial Building and is now trying to proceed with an ill-conceived plan that will diminish access to Iowa's historical record.

Keep posted by visiting https://saveiowahistory.org

Thank you to all who responded to our urgent plea for help. 

Eisenhower-Nixon campaign worker. Iowa City, Iowa. September 18, 1952. Iowa City Press Citizen Collection, State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City