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IOWA CITY A increasing number of Iowans are protesting the state’s intention to close the State Historical Society of Iowa facility in Iowa City, and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors is joining them.
The State of Iowa announced on June 17 that the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) Research Center in Iowa City would undergo a number of modifications to its hours and operations beginning on July 9 and ending on June 30, 2026. According to the state, the modifications are being made in order to save money and other resources.
Local historians and others who work with those resources are shocked and appalled that this would be taken into consideration. Supervisor Rod Sullivan stated during a work session this week that it truly appears pretty beyond the pale to those who work in that profession, and I trust their assessment that this is a pretty awful idea. In any case, I would be pleased for us to lend our voices to others who are objecting to this.
Opponents of the closure contend that neither building personnel nor historians were properly consulted in the decision-making process.
When the Iowa Capitol relocated from Iowa City to Des Moines in 1857, SHSI was established with the goal of tying the new seat of government to its roots.
The Centennial Building, located at 402 Iowa Ave., houses 34,700 cubic feet of archival material that includes antique letters from historical personalities, records from the Iowa City Fire Department, and small-town municipal code documents from more than a century ago. It also has old newspapers and diaries from the Civil War.
The Iowa City center, which employs three people, makes these records available to researchers, students, journalists, and anybody else who wants to learn more about Iowa history. Books, microfilm, pictures, records, and more all include historical accounts.
Rally opposing closure planned for Saturday
On Saturday, August 23, from 1-3 p.m., the Iowa City Public Library will host a rally to prevent the closing of the site.
The Iowa Labor History Society and Save Iowa History 2025 coordinated the rally.
In opposition to the closure, an online petition has also been started. Over 4,900 signatures have been gathered.
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