Hundreds Rally in Iowa City Against Historical Society Office Closure

Hundreds of Iowa City residents have rallied against the planned closure of the State Historical Society of Iowa's Iowa City Research Center, also known as the Centennial Building, which is set to close by June 2026 due to financial considerations. Protesters and coalition members argue the closure will severely limit access to invaluable historical records, including those of marginalized communities, as only 40% of the collections can be moved to the Des Moines facility. The building, established in 1956, houses more than 200 million pieces of Iowa and national history, making its closure a significant loss to genealogists, historians, and the public. Rally participants paraded a symbolic empty coffin and called on state leaders to reverse the decision, emphasizing the importance of preserving Iowa's diverse historical heritage. While the State Historical Society cites budget constraints and redundancy as reasons for consolidation, opponents stress that collaborative solutions should be sought to protect and maintain the full scope of Iowa's historical archives. A petition to save the building has garnered over 5,000 signatures, reflecting widespread community support for keeping the facility open.