The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs empowers Iowa to build and sustain culturally vibrant communities by connecting Iowans to the people, places and points of pride that define our state. The department impacts Iowans through the State Historical Society of Iowa, the Iowa Arts Council and Produce Iowa — State Office of Media Production. It engages Iowans by elevating the role arts, history and culture play as an economic driver, a catalyst for the creative sector and a key ingredient in our quality of life.

 

A PDF file of Historical information from the Iowa Official Register which includes listings of former governors and other officials, a history of the Underground Railroad in Iowa, name origins of Iowa's 99 counties, and the Iowa Constitution.

 

This is a very useful reference resource on Iowa history which includes brief entries on the history of each of Iowa's 99 counties and a lengthy reading on Iowa's cultural heritage beginning with ancient times. Bibliographies are presented for each topic.

 

The Iowa Prairie Network is an organization dedicated to creating awareness of and preservation of our tallgrass prairie heritage. Their home page includes listings of events throughout the state to acquaint the public with the beauty of the prairie.

 

Des Moines-area open-air museum. Information on admission, hours, and special events is provided.

 

This site is packed with valuable information about Iowa’s native peoples. It includes information on the tribes, sites, their languages cultures, and histories. Links to other sites dealing with Native Americans are presented along with much information which disputes many traditional beliefs about Native Americans.

 

To preserve, exhibit, and teach the African American heritage of Iowa.