DES MOINES – The State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) has launched a new webpage dedicated to providing transparent updates on the transition of the Iowa City Research Center and its collections. The page is available here: .
Purpose of the New Webpage
The new webpage outlines SHSI’s strategy for responsibly managing the transition and provides a central, public resource where Iowans can access accurate and up-to-date information. It includes:
Status updates on the Iowa City Research Center and timelines for the transition.
State of Iowa Collection Responsibilities, including SHSI’s legal and ethical responsibilities for managing the Iowa City collections and that any action will follow state law, administrative rules, and professional standards. Furthermore, invested entities (e.g. State Historical Society, Inc.) will be consulted on transfer proposals, in line with a long-standing agreement. No mass disposal of materials will occur.
Collection management procedures describing how materials will be carefully reviewed, relocated, or, when necessary, deaccessioned in accordance with state law, professional standards, and curatorial best practices.
Opportunities for public awareness, input, and ways to get involved, including details on deaccession and transfer procedures, public meetings, and answers to FAQs.
Commitment to Stewardship and Transparency
SHSI has taken great care and time to assess this collection transition strategy. The process follows Iowa Code 8A.701 and Iowa Administrative Rule 223.13(6), as well as current collection and archive professional standards and ethics. Additionally, the State Historical Society, Inc. will continue to be consulted on transfer proposals involving pre-1974 collections, honoring the 1983 agreement between SHSI and SHS, Inc.
All collections remain stored under conditions that meet or exceed accepted industry standards for temperature, humidity, security, and lighting by format type. SHSI’s professional staff—including archivists and museum specialists with decades of combined experience—are committed to ensuring the long-term care, preservation, and accessibility of Iowa’s history. We can assure the public that transparency will guide every step, with regular updates provided as decisions are made.
Looking Ahead
The new webpage will continue to be updated regularly as the transition progresses, serving as a reliable source of information for Iowans who care deeply about their state’s history.
The State Historical Society of Iowa remains dedicated to preserving Iowa’s past and making it accessible to future generations, while maintaining transparency and trust with the public we serve.
About The State Historical Society of Iowa
The State Historical Society of Iowa has been a trustee of Iowa’s historical legacy since 1857. With a dual mission of preservation and education, it maintains a museum, two research centers, and seven historic sites. The society preserves and provides access to Iowa’s historical resources through a variety of statewide programs, exhibitions and projects while serving as an advocate for Iowa’s past and connector to the future. The society is part of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Follow the State Historical Society of Iowa on Facebook and Instagram.
