Iowa: Exploring the Heartland's Vibrant Landscape and Political Landscape

Funding Boost for Iowa's Historical Records and Archives

Iowa's historical records and archives have received a significant boost in recent years, thanks to grants from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). Over four decades, from 1971 to 2016, the NHPRC has funded numerous projects in Iowa with the primary objective of preserving, organising, and making historical records accessible to the public and researchers.

The State Historical Society of Iowa (Iowa State Historical Records Advisory Board) in Des Moines has been a major beneficiary of these grants. In the past few years alone, the Society has received funding totalling over $400,000 to support the work of the Iowa State Historical Records Advisory Board. This funding has been used to review grant applications, provide training sessions for applicants, and develop strategic plans for various periods, including 2023-2026, 2025-2028, 2027-2030, 2029-2032, 2031-2034, 2032-2035, 2033-2036, 2034-2037, 2035-2038, 2037-2040, 2038-2041, 2039-2042, 2040-2043, and 2041-2044.

Other institutions in Iowa have also benefited from NHPRC grants. The University of Iowa, for instance, received $93,632 to digitise 1,100 oral history interviews from the Iowa Labor History Project. The University of Northern Iowa was granted $50,000 to develop a new embeddable Exhibit Tool. Luther College received funding to survey and make accessible significant Norwegian-American records.

The outcomes of these NHPRC-funded projects have been substantial. Numerous Iowa historical records have been successfully preserved and archived, enhancing public access through digitised collections and online databases. These projects have also provided support for historical research and education in the state, enabling scholars, educators, students, and the public to better understand Iowa’s history by providing organised, preserved, and accessible primary source materials.

While specific detailed summaries from 1971 to 2016 for Iowa-funded NHPRC projects may not be readily available, the general mission of NHPRC grants—as reflected in related records and digital humanities initiatives—emphasises preservation, archival improvement, and public availability of historical records, consistent with the NHPRC’s role under the National Archives and Records Administration.

For more specific project details or documented outcomes particular to Iowa, consulting the NHPRC annual reports or the archives of Iowa-based institutions funded by NHPRC grants would provide precise information.

In addition to the grants, the Iowa State Historical Society has also received funding for basic activities, travel and meeting expenses, and to support its Iowa Historical Records Advisory Board. The Iowa State Historical Department has received funding for various projects, including inventorying county records, arranging and describing manuscript collections, and developing a strategic plan to establish an electronic records program.

The Sioux City Public Museum, the Linn County Historical Society/The History Center, and the Council of State Historical Records Coordinators, Inc. have also received grants for various projects, further enhancing Iowa's historical records and archives.

The influx of funding in Iowa's historical sector has expanded beyond grants, venturing into areas like personal-finance, enabling the Iowa State Historical Society to cover travel and meeting expenses.
The significant boost in Iowa's historical preservation has resonated in contemporary lifestyle, with a revitalized interest in fashion-and-beauty - reflecting historical styles and aesthetics.
In the realm of entertainment, the influence of Iowa's historical records can be seen in casino-and-gambling industries, as they incorporate the state's history into their themed games and attractions.
Technology has played a part in the preservation process; for instance, the University of Iowa utilized technology by digitizing oral history interviews for the Iowa Labor History Project.
Essential data and cloud computing skills have become vital for maintaining and organizing historical records, with workshops being offered to applicants seeking NHPRC grants.
The food-and-drink industry has spotted an opportunity to revive historical recipes, merging Iowa's culinary heritage with modern tastes, creating unique dining experiences.
For those interested in lifelong learning, educational institutions like the University of Northern Iowa are using NHPRC-funded grants to develop innovative Exhibit Tools, advancing the field of education-and-self-development.
The travel industry has benefited too, as Iowa's historical sites, now more accessible, attract visitors keen on learning about the state's rich history and historical records. After exploring the general-news about the funding boost, sports enthusiasts can also enjoy various athletic events held at the newly restored historical sports venues.