Sunday, September 18: “The Only Free Road, UGRR in Iowa”

Local authors Patricia & Kevin Kimle’s book The Only Free Road; an Underground Railroad Saga Unveiled, introduces readers to prominent historical figures such as John Brown, James Jordan, James Grimes and J.B. Grinnell in this historical fiction account of the Underground Railroad and John Brown’s last trip through Iowa in 1859. The Kimmels present a one act play as part of their program.

To watch the video of the program, click on the WDMHS YouTube channel.

Sunday, October 16: The History of Waveland Golf Course

Waveland Golf Course in Des Moines celebrated 100 years in 2001, and is the oldest municipal golf course west of the Mississippi. Presenter Joe Wandro’s day job is designing and building golf courses around the country, and got inspired by playing on Waveland to learn more about the course

Watch the video of “The History of Waveland Golf Course” by clicking here.

Sunday, November 10: Orphan Trains

Between 1854 and 1929 the United States was engaged in an ambitious, and ultimately controversial, social experiment to rescue poor and homeless children, the Orphan Train Movement. The Orphan Trains operated prior to the federal government’s involvement in child protection and child welfare. While they operated, Orphan Trains moved approximately 200,000 children from cities like New York and Boston to the American West to be adopted. Historian Carol Bodensteiner gave a fascinating talk on the history of this experiment in Iowa.

Watch the video of “Orphan Trains” by clicking here. 

Sunday, January 15: State v. Novak; Murder & Arson in Walford

February, 1897. The general store in Walford Iowa burns down, and in the ashes is found a body presumed to be that of Frank Novak, part owner of the store who was known to sleep there to thwart burglars. But was it? Hear about this story of murder, insurance fraud and one of the earliest cases that tested the legitimacy of circumstantial evidence. Presenter Kate Levasseur will take us from tiny Walford to the Yukon, and back to Fort Madison in this true tale.

Watch the presentation on the WDMHS YouTube channel here.

Sunday, February 19: Scraps of African Heritage Workshop

Buxton was a small, unincorporated coal mining town bordering Mahaska and Monroe counties, was unusual for the 1900s in that African American and white residents lived and worked equally, side by side. With as many as 10,000 residents, it was the largest town in America where African-Americans were in the majority. Author Rachelle Chase listened to interviews of over 60 Buxton residents, combed through archives and documents to write her book, “Creating the Black Utopia of Buxton, Iowa.” Ms. Chase will share the stories she discovered and what the legacy of Buxton is today.

Watch this presentation on the WDMHS YouTube channel here. 

Sunday, March 19: Rural Cathedrals; Iowa Barns

Barns symbolize the agricultural heritage of those who founded the state of Iowa. As barns are abandoned and destroyed, we lose an important tie to our past. Iowa Barn Foundation Board Member Ober Anderson will share information, photos of classic and beautiful Iowa barns, inside and out.

To watch a recording of this presentation, click here. 

Sunday, April 16: Button…button…Iowa Made the Buttons! 

Antique and vintage clothing buttons are beautiful and historic. Every topic you can imagine is reflected in buttons… history of fashion, theatre, manufacturing, railroads… It is difficult to identify a topic that is not tied to buttons. Buttons are little works of art, especially the ones that are from the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian eras.

Many people have a tin or jar of old buttons. If they were your grandmother’s, or better yet, your great-grandmother’s, there could be some that tell a story!

Iowa State Button Society member Karen Leibold shares the history of buttons and the manufacture of these small works of art!

To watch a recording of this presentation, please click here. 

Sunday, May 21: UFOs in Iowa

UFO sightings in Iowa are not just a modern phenomenon; the first inhabitants spoke of “Star People” and there’s been more than 1,156 reports recorded on the National UFO Reporting Center. Greg Anderson, Iowa MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) State Director, shared information about unidentified aerial phenomenon, both historic and modern.

To watch a recording of this program, please click here.