America's 250th: Iowa Museums Preserve State's Rich History

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this Fourth of July, Iowa museums and cultural organizations are working to ensure the state's complex history is remembered. From the Meskwaki Nation's centuries-old roots to Buxton's remarkable integrated community, Iowans are highlighting stories that shaped the state and the nation.

How is the Meskwaki Nation reflecting on America's 250th?

The Meskwaki Nation, also known as the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, has lived in North America for thousands of years, with roots in Iowa dating back centuries before European colonization. Their history stretches far beyond America's 250-year milestone.

Jonathan Buffalo, historic preservation director of the Meskwaki Nation, emphasized the tribe's deep connection to the land.

We have been citizens of North America for thousands of years.

Despite their longstanding presence, Native Americans were not recognized as U.S. citizens until 1924. Buffalo said individual Meskwaki citizens make their own choices about celebrating the Fourth of July, much like any other Americans.

Buffalo noted that many visitors to the Meskwaki Nation museum are surprised to learn about the tribe's presence in Iowa. Some are saddened by the darker chapters of Native American history, with a few even offering apologies.

Many Iowans are surprised to learn there is an Indian tribe in Iowa at all. They don't need to apologize because it wasn't you, it's just history. History is hard and not all nice, but people still need to learn it.

Buffalo highlighted a distinctive moment in Iowa's history. In 1858, Iowa passed legislation allowing the Meskwaki tribe to remain in the state at a time when other states were forcing Native Americans to migrate westward. He described Iowa as unique and its people as strong, independent minded, expressing concern that forgetting this history could cost the state its identity.

What does the African American Museum of Iowa highlight?

Anne Carter, executive director of the African American Museum of Iowa, said the museum's mission is to preserve, exhibit and teach the African-American heritage of Iowans.

Carter acknowledged that those in power often shape how history is told, but said the museum exists to ensure Black Iowans are part of the main narrative, not a footnote.

In any society, whoever holds the power tends to decide which stories become part of the official record. The museum exists to counter that imbalance in Iowa, to make sure Black Iowans are not a footnote, but part of the main narrative as the state looks toward America's 250th birthday.

One of the museum's notable stories is the town of Buxton, a coal-mining community that gained national attention in the early 1900s for its racially integrated workforce, businesses and schools. At a time when segregation was the norm across much of the country, Buxton stood as a rare example of what was possible.

Carter also noted the difficult reality that many Black Americans were still enslaved when the nation was founded in 1776, and it took nearly a century for slavery to be abolished.

250 years is significant for our country and for democracy. But, in 1776, there were still people of African descent enslaved.

What role does the Des Moines Pride Center play in preserving history?

The Des Moines Pride Center, located in the Mickle Center, houses the Rick Miller LGBTQIA+ Library and exhibits preserving activist memorabilia, including banners from the first LGBTQIA+ march in 1978 and posters from past AIDS benefits.

Rick Miller, Pride Center board member and archivist, said preserving LGBTQIA+ history ensures future generations understand the community's accomplishments and struggles.

Any kind of group or minority that doesn't have a history really doesn't exist. If we can't preserve it now, future LGBTQIA+ people won't know what they can be proud of.

Iowa played a significant role in the marriage equality movement, becoming the third state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2009 after the state Supreme Court unanimously ruled that denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples was unconstitutional. Miller said the ruling became a template for other district courts, with 35 states eventually following Iowa's precedent.

Miller also pointed to a 1977 visit by singer and anti-gay activist Anita Bryant to Des Moines as a pivotal moment. A protester from Minnesota threw a pie in Bryant's face during her visit, drawing international attention and sparking the formation of LGBTQIA+ organizations across Iowa.

However, the landscape has shifted in recent years. In 2025, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill removing gender identity as a protected class in Iowa's Civil Rights code and banning local governments from enacting civil rights protections that differ from state law. Supporters of the legislation argued it protected women's spaces and maintained biological distinctions in law, while opponents, including Miller, characterized it as stripping transgender Iowans of their rights.

Iowa was the first state in the union to strip all transgender rights. They have no rights whatsoever. They have been erased.

Sarah High, board president at the Pride Center, said freedom requires ongoing effort to sustain.

We exist and we are Americans. There have been a lot of horrific things that have gotten us here, but also beautiful things.

Despite the political debates, Miller expressed optimism that younger generations are taking an interest in preserving LGBTQIA+ history and culture.

The young people are really stepping up. They want to know about this stuff as part of that whole generation of people that are going to say, 'Yeah, those old folks did some stuff that we want to know about.'

Why does preserving Iowa's full history matter for the future?

As Iowans gather to celebrate Independence Day and the nation's 250th birthday, these organizations are reminding residents that the state's story is broader and deeper than many realize. From the Meskwaki Nation's ancient roots to Buxton's integrated coal mines and the ongoing debates over civil rights, Iowa's history reflects both the promises and the struggles of American democracy.

What is the significance of America's 250th anniversary for Iowa?

The semiquincentennial marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence in 1776. For Iowa, which became a state in 1846, the anniversary offers a chance to reflect on the state's unique contributions to the national story, including its early stand to protect the Meskwaki Nation, its role in advancing marriage equality, and communities like Buxton that defied the racial norms of their era.

How can Iowans learn more about the state's diverse history?

Iowans can visit the Meskwaki Nation museum in Tama, the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids, and the Des Moines Pride Center's Rick Miller LGBTQIA+ Library and exhibits at the Mickle Center in Des Moines. Each offers a distinct perspective on the communities that have shaped Iowa's identity.