Iowa Archives

When Iowans gather in Des Moines tomorrow to thank veterans for their service, one of the National Guard's most decorated units will be among those leading the parade. Historic 1965 audio from the 34th Army Band in Burlington and the Val Air Ballroom in 1967.

As Iowa tries to retain its last jet fighter base in Des Moines, a non-profit group is hoping to save one of the last remnants of an air station that closed at the end of World War Two. Historic audio from Stearman training film and You Tube.

Mention the New Deal, and most Iowans would think of a bridge, state park or school gymnasium. But the arts also flourished during the Great Depression, thanks to federal programs that gave jobs to painters, sculptors, writers and performers. A museum director calls it, "the greatest art movement in Iowa in 100 years."

Seventy-five years ago, the federal government bankrolled countless infrastructure programs that put tens of thousands of Iowans to work; many of the projects are enjoying a revival, of sorts. Some are being renovated, others are endangered, and many are just as vital as they were in the 1930s.

One of the most tragic days in America's history comes flooding back this weekend, as we commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9-11. Citizens of Iowa were casualties, mourners, and heroes. Our historic sound project looks back at those terrifying days, using audio recordings gathered by IPR reporters.

A birthday party, a secret, and something found in most refrigerators. That combination will surely entice visitors to an iconic exhibit at the State Fair next month. Sculpting has commenced for the centennial of the butter cow. But the celebration will be tempered by the passing of the tradition's most famous artist.

Memories were flowing at a reunion of the Stepperettes, a legendary precision drill team that represented Iowa for two decades. Audio clip from 1967 sound track filmed at Veterans Auditorium in Des Moines.

On Memorial Day weekend 70 years ago, a large Irish family was at home in eastern Iowa enjoying its last spring together. No one knew that the five Sullivan brothers were bound for history, in a tragedy that would shake the nation in a time of war. Historic audio from 1943-1944.

A new museum exhibit is coming together that will tell the story of how gender equality came to the U.S. Army. It all started at Fort Des Moines and Iowa Public Radio’s Rick Fredericksen has the story in this edition of Iowa Archives.

The Des Moines Symphony concludes its season next month with a classical Russian program. In 1965, the season ended with something entirely different and a recording of that performance has just surfaced. “Iowa Archives” looks back at the symphony’s early years.

A nationwide search is underway for graduates of the largest pipe and drum band in the world. It is all in preparation for a reunion in Iowa City. Historic sound extends back to 1948.

It was 150 years ago this week when the “Iowa Lunatic Asylum” opened in Mount Pleasant and the state’s first mental health patient was admitted. Just about everything has changed since then, but a series of old television documentaries reveals a glimpse of the dark days of mental health care in Iowa, including frightening treatments now abandoned. Original WOI-TV documentary was filmed in 1952.

This is the first time we've applied our historic sound project to a building. Iowa's largest memorial to war veterans is closed for renovation. Sometimes called the "barn," it will never be the same. Historic audio clips come from Iowa Public Television, the Archives of Iowa Broadcasting and IPR. Note: Vets reopened in 2012.

It has been 45 years since the Williams Brothers broke up. That’s when the youngest member launched his own act. Iowa Public Radio's Rick Fredericksen was in the audience recently, and concludes his profile on Iowa native Andy Williams, who passed away in 2012. (Part One is posted below) Historic audio courtesy of Iowa Public TV, Andy Williams, his birthplace museum and You Tube.

It was just over 75 years ago when a young Iowa boy joined his brothers in a church choir in western Iowa. Until 2012, when Andy Williams passed away, he was one of the most productive octogenarians in entertainment. Iowa Public Radio's Rick Fredericksen traveled to Wall Lake and Branson, Missouri, for this 2-part, Iowa Archives special. Historic audio comes from Andy Williams, his birthplace museum, and You Tube.

It was the biggest shovel-ready, public works project of its time. 75-years ago today, a mammoth dam, named after Herbert Hoover, was dedicated on the Colorado River. It remains, perhaps, the biggest accomplishment in the former Iowan's presidency. Historic audio dates back to 1928.

A beloved Iowa journalist is being remembered today. Jack Shelley passed away last night at the age of 98. Shelley was there in the early days of radio and television and sent home riveting stories from WWII. We look back at the career of this pioneer broadcaster. Sounds from 1945-1953 in Guam, Belgium, Tokyo Bay and the state of Nevada. Major events related to the atomic bomb are closely linked to Shelley's news coverage. Old audio is from WHO's original recordings, on fire at the Archives of Iowa Broadcasting.

They're remembering the Alamo this weekend in Madison County. Specifically, the epic film that was the first movie ever directed by John Wayne. Iowa Public Radio's Rick Fredericksen reports from the actor's home town of Winterset.

Long before email, and even the Postal Service, the fastest way to get a letter from point-A to point-B, was on horseback. This is the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express, and an Iowan was one of these early mail carriers. Iowa Public Radio's Rick Fredericksen profiles the man, who would later become an icon of the Wild West. Historic audio clips go back to 1914.

An author researching the life of famous agricultural scientist George Washington Carver has compiled a rare collection of his recordings. For a man who was educated in Iowa and contributed so much to mankind, Carver’s unusual voice was just as prominent as his vocation. Our oldest recording is about 1938.

Railroad historians and several communities are remembering a grim anniversary; the worst train crash in Iowa history occurred 100 years ago on March 21st, 1910. More than 100 passengers were killed or injured. The story includes an original telegraph recording from the 1930s.

Camp Dodge has one of the last, operating, Liberty trucks in the country. One story linked to the rare vehicle details one of the Iowa National Guard’s most difficult missions, enforcing martial law. Note: The new Gold Star Museum is now open for visitors.

The Surf Ballroom is holding its Winter Dance Party next week in Clear Lake. Among the rock and roll legends scheduled to attend is the man who performed the opening act at the tragic Winter Dance Party in 1959. This will be his first trip back.

He is one of Iowa’s most famous native sons. Norman Borlaug is credited with averting widespread famine by introducing revolutionary agricultural techniques to farmers around the world. He was a distinguished professor at Texas A&M when he died at the age of 95. Historic audio comes from You Tube, Texas A&M and Iowa Public Radio News.

This weekend, Iowans are remembering the visit of Pope John Paul the Second during his first year as leader of the Catholic Church. It was 30 years ago when the Pope stopped at a country parish near Cumming. Later, Living History Farms was overwhelmed by more than 300,000 people who attended a Papal Mass. Original audio from the historic occasion was recorded on Oct. 4th, 1979.

The conclusion of our series marking the 50th anniversary of Nikita Khrushchev's visit to Iowa. (Part One is posted below) Additional historic audio comes from a Walter Cronkite documentary from CBS News.