Saving SHSI & Iowa City’s Centennial Building.

In the late spring of 2025, it was quietly announced that Iowa’s Governor had decided to permanently close the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) Centennial Building in Iowa City – effective December 31, 2025. The already small state-sponsored staff in Iowa City was immediately dismissed, the building effectively closed (except by appointment only), and little details were given to the public about how and when the vast collection of historical materials would be re-located to Des Moines.

As you might imagine, public outcry was immediate, and there was a large, vocal number of Iowans who were calling for this sudden, and poorly-planned decision to be reversed. But sadly, on March 4, 2026…

So…what do we do now? Here’s an important email from Mary Bennett…

Sadly, on **January 20, 2026**, **Bill SSB 3033** passed out of subcommittee – moving it on to the Iowa Senate for a vote. Despite hundreds of emails and a large number of objections voiced both on-line and in-person, **Carrie Koelker, Republican Chair from Dubuque County** (see above arrow) made this public hearing in Des Moines into a COMPLETE SHAM by showing NO INTEREST in the will of the people, quickly advancing the bill in a brief 30 minute period! **READ MORE HERE!**

View pics from the January 29, 2026 Founder’s Day Celebration here…

**State legislators are planning to CHANGE THE LAW in order to close our SHSI in Iowa City!**

The State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) Centennial Building in Iowa City.

READ THE FULL HISTORY OF SHSI IN IOWA CITY HERE!

As a long-time resident of Iowa City, a historian focused on the rich heritage of Johnson County, Iowa, and a board member of both Friends of Historic Preservation (FHP) and the Johnson County Historical Society (JCHS), I want to add my deep concerns about the state’s abrupt decision to close the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) located in the historic Centennial Building in Iowa City.

**The Centennial Building** at 402 Iowa Avenue in Iowa City – on its grand opening ceremony **August 31, 1960.** Iowa City is the home to 14 historic districts, 68 historic landmark properties, and Johnson County has 95 historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We are also the home to Iowa’s only National Historic Landmark – Old Capitol – built in 1839 when Iowa City was the new territorial capital. Long before **SHSI Supervisor William J. Peterson** (pictured above) steer-headed the fund-raiser to build the much-needed **Centennial Building** (1959) on Iowa Avenue, students and staff of the University of Iowa were utilizing historical resources found only in the SHSI archives.

READ THE FULL HISTORY OF SHSI IN IOWA CITY HERE!

The State Historical Society of Iowa Centennial Building is set to close due to a lack of state funding. People overflowed the packed auditorium at the Iowa City Library to show their support to keep it open.

John McKerley (below), President of the Iowa Labor History Society, believes it’s unclear what collections from Iowa City will ultimately be saved after the Centennial Building is closed. One report states that only 40%* of the building’s contents will be moved to the SHSI building in Des Moines. “I think it’s really a slap in the face to Iowans in general, who want to be involved and know about their history,” attendee David Leshtz said. Leshtz said the building has important historical resources for many people.
*read the details for Des Moines here…

“We’re not competing with (Des Moines). We all believe that all the Iowa history that’s represented in this building is important,” John McKerley said. “That’s why we’re all saying slow down, change the plan. There’s no good reason to close this building. Let’s not put our history at risk, and let’s work together to solve this problem,” he said.

The crowd heard from groups that are at risk of losing their collections, like the Meskwaki tribe from nearby Tama County. Speakers included Johnathan L. Buffalo (Meskwaki historian), Romeo Buffalo (flute music), and University of Iowa historian Ashley Howard.

“Developers, city staff, planning and zoning commission members. Not to mention the genealogists, the hobbyists and the everyday people that want to learn and look up their family histories,” David Leshtz said.

A petition to save the Centennial Building has collected over 5,000 signatures. “I hope (state officials) are paying attention. And I hope they’ll reconsider. There’s a chance that they will,” Leshtz said. But as of now, the building is set to close June 30, 2026.