History

Step into the past and uncover the stories, people, and events that continue to shape our present. Our history courses offer a fascinating journey through time, exploring everything from Siouxland’s local history to global civilizations and cultural movements.

Dive into mystery with The Private Detective, gain knowledge with the Dunker Leadership Series, travel from your seat with Armchair Travel, and explore unique topics.

Join us to explore the past, connect it to the present, and gain a deeper appreciation for the world around you.

American Red Cross: October is Fire Preparedness Month. Home fires displace more than 300 people each year in the Siouxland area and structures burn faster than ever before.

Armchair Travel: Join Lifelong Learning as we tour spots around Siouxland from the comfort of our chair. Learn about some well-known and no-so-well-known hidden gems

Don't Know Much About: Join Russ Gifford for Don't Know Much About..., a Lifelong Learning series that combines engaging classroom discussions with the spirit of a road trip to explore the people, places, and systems that shape our region. Topics include local history, civics, government, business, public safety, and community development, with companion road trip details to be announced later.

Dr. Robert E. Dunker Leadership Series: The Robert E. Dunker Leadership Lectures examine and discuss examples of leadership displayed in life by prominent people in America, both nationally and locally.

Encounters with Ancient Egypt: The civilization of ancient Egypt, which lasted from 3,000 B.C. to 332 B.C., before being conquered by Alexander the Great, continues to enthrall us. Egyptologist Mary Vaught will explore this fascinating world in images and words.

Regional Greats: Does where a person grew up make a difference? Can we trace clues to their successes to their region and the examples of their neighbors? In this term, we will add two famous Iowans to the list of people who led the way for their region, generation, state, and country.

Road Trip to Sioux City: 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the US Numbered Highway System. Sioux City’s first federal highways were US 20 and US 75.

Rock Around the Clock: Step into the time machine - the destination - New Year’s Eve, 1969! We’ll relive the hits from 1967 and 1968 to remember the Summer of Love and the upheavals of 1968.

Sioux City Houses of Worship, 1870 - 1940: Dozens of images documenting over a century of religious houses from the 1860s to the 1930s will be featured in the photograph-based presentation with Tom Munson, Sioux City Public Museum’s Archives Manager.

Sioux City True Crime Files: Although it may seem like violent crimes and horrific homicides have been more prevalent in recent decades and occur most often in major cities, that’s not always true.

Sioux City's Water Works: We’ve all turned on a water faucet, but have you ever stopped to think how it gets there? Discover how Sioux City’s water system has grown from the first downtown wells of the 1880s to the modern system we have today.

Unlimited: TedX Western Iowa Tech: In the spirit of TED's mission, Ideas Change Everything, please join us in the Rocklin Center for our 6th annual TEDx Western Iowa Tech event.

Words that Changed the World: Right now, America is celebrating its 250th anniversary. As well it should. But when we celebrate the American Revolution, we speak of Lexington and Concord, Paul Revere, George Washington crossing the Delaware, and the terrible hardships endured by the men at Valley Forge.