Sac & Fox tribal historian Jonathan Buffalo and other demonstrators gather Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, to protest the closing of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s library and archives in Iowa City. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

IOWA CITY, Iowa — A crowd of Iowans passionate about the state’s history gathered Aug. 23, 2025, to protest the closing of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s research center in Iowa City.

Nearly 200 people listened to speakers inside the Iowa City Public Library for more than two hours before marching several blocks to the building at 402 Iowa Ave.

Preservationists cited the devastating effect the closure will have on Iowa’s historical records, noting that the State Archivist plans to move only 40 percent of the collection to Des Moines.

“No transparency has been offered as to the fate of the substantial library collection and the remaining 60 percent,” supporters noted in handouts at the rally. The library and archives, often used by University of Iowa students for research, is home to a comprehensive collection of historical documents, photographs, newspapers, government records and artifacts related to Iowa’s past, many of which cannot be found anywhere else, they noted.

Marchers walk past a statue of Iowa City historian Irving B. Weber during the rally on Aug. 23, 2025. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Mary Bennett, former special collections coordinator at the Historical Society who organized the rally, called on Iowans to sign a petition to reverse the decision to close the facility and to contact state officials.

More than 5,000 people had signed the petition as of Aug. 23, and more signatures were added during the rally, which also featured live music and a “casket” delivered to the steps of the research center.

Proponents of reversing the decision asked supporters to let state officials know how they feel about eliminating Iowa’s history. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds 515-281-5211
Director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services Adam Steen (515) 725-2205 adam.steen@iowa.gov (note: Steen resigned this week to announce his campaign for Iowa governor.)
State Archivist, Library & Archives Bureau Chief Anthony Jahn 515-666-9144 anthony.jahn@iowa.gov
Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley 515.281.3221 pat.grassley@legis.iowa.gov
Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair 515.725.4122 amy.sinclair@legis.iowa.gov

See photos from a previous demonstration and more from the Iowa City protest, below: