Hello Allies
In celebration of the founding of the State Historical Society of Iowa in Iowa City in 1857, please join us for a free program offering entertainment and updates on our campaign to KEEP THE DOORS open to the Centennial Building, the State Historical Society of Iowa's research center in Iowa City.
The event will feature entertainment from musicians Dave Moore, the Swampland Jewels, and the Labor Notes - a band formed by members of COGS (UI Graduate Student Union). Singers from the Family Folk Machine and the Red Earth Dancers from the Meskwaki Nation will also perform. Several nice door prizes will be given away to those in attendance.
We are also celebrating a decision that allows our legal proceedings to advance in the District Court. Attorney James Larew will offer remarks about a pending lawsuit supported by 17 plaintiffs. As Vanessa Miller of the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported on Monday, January 26:
"The Supreme Court on Friday declined to reverse or even review the lower court’s injunction — leaving in place the ban on removing anything from the Iowa City research center in the Centennial Building along Iowa Avenue until summation of the legal case combating its closure."
We aim to increase awareness about the value of protecting the physical care while enhancing public access to the irreplaceable collections that have been housed in Iowa City since the State Historical Society of Iowa was founded 169 years ago. Encourage others to investigate how we might work with the state legislature to remedy the damage done by the Department of Administrative Services as they attempt to dismantle this time-honored institution, created to serve as an educational tool for all citizens looking towards the future.
Please visit https://saveiowahistory.org for information about House File 2025, a bipartisan co-sponsored by Representatives Bobby Kaufmann, Dave Jacoby, Adam Weiner, and Charley Thomson. Watch for a companion bill to be introduced in the Iowa Senate by Senator Janice Weiner. Help us block the Senate bill introduced by the Department of Administrative Services (SSB 3033) to permanently close SHSI's Iowa City library and archives.
We look forward to seeing some of you in person on Thursday, January 29, or during our legislative lobbying events.
In solidarity