The History Center / Linn County Historical Society

The History Center (thc) is dedicated to connecting The past to The present and future of Linn County. It is a unique community resource and makes The History of Linn County both accessible and enjoyable for everyone. In 2024, thc hosted several engaging events and programs:temporary exhibits: at thc rotate every six to nine months, with two galleries telling compelling stories of Linn County's History. Topics are diverse and range from The communal impact of quilting to Iowa's struggles with civil rights. The smith gallery focuses on Linn County's History, organized by areas of interest, while The west gallery highlights entrepreneurial stories and emphasizes Linn County's role as Iowa's second-largest economic engine. The wilson gallery features a variety of themes and exhibits. These galleries attract over 5,000 visitors annually from across The country.walking tours cover downtown cedar rapids, various neighborhoods, and other Linn County downtowns, showcasing over 16 different routes. Participants gain insights into The evolution of these spaces, with over 200 people joining annually.bite of History is a popular program held at different Linn County restaurants, combining History with culinary experiences. Historians share stories about The buildings, neighborhoods, and other unique details. Serving over 200 attendees annually, most of these seven events sell out.oral histories live! Features remarkable life stories shared by individuals with significant Linn County connections. Events are recorded and transcribed, creating primary source material for researchers. With five annual programs, over 250 people attend in person, and tens of thousands view online. In 2023, it received The american association of state & local History's gold medal for programming.linn County unburied introduces participants to different Linn County cemeteries and highlights The legacies of notable individuals. It attracts 120 participants annually across five programs.spooky Linn County shares authentic Linn County ghost stories around a campfire during a single autumn night. This entertaining event introduces over 200 attendees to thc's mission.rudolph's return features a recreated holiday display from cedar rapids' armstrong department store with original animatronic elves. The event includes live holiday music, crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, and santa visits, drawing over 200 people annually.chew on this invites participants to bring their lunches to The History Center, where dessert and drinks are provided. Presentations include author talks, virtual tours, and lectures on diverse topics. This program draws 200 attendees each year.author talks bring Linn County authors or those writing about The County to provide lively presentations. Over 150 people attend these programs annually.education programming (field trips) is designed for pre-k through fourth-grade students, engaging over 1,300 children annually. About 70% of participants attend field trips to The History Center, while The rest experience The programs in their schools, addressing transportation barriers.the research library welcomes over 500 researchers annually. The library's robust archive contains unique materials unavailable elsewhere, supporting diverse research needs.through these programs, The History Center continues to preserve and celebrate Linn County's rich History while fostering community engagement and education.