Iowa Heritage at Risk: Protecting Our State's Historic Collections

Preserving Iowa's Historical Heritage Under Threat Bruce Lear, a Sioux City resident with 38 years of experience in Iowa's public education system—including teaching and serving as a regional director for the Iowa State Education Association—highlights the growing danger to the state's rich historical resources. He emphasizes the importance of remembering our past, as stories from families, schools, and communities strengthen our cultural bonds. However, Iowa's historical preservation faces significant challenges this year. The State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) received only half of its requested funding from the state, with plans underway to close its Iowa City facility by 2026 and lay off staff in December 2025. The Iowa City library, established in 1857, houses invaluable collections—letters, diaries, maps, newspapers, oral histories, and films—that document Iowa's heritage. The proposed move to Des Moines will limit access, as the new facility is expected to accommodate only 40% of the current collection, with no clear plan for the remaining 60%. The transition comes amid administrative restructuring, with SHSI now under the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, ...