AMES, Iowa — December 18, 2025 — As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, Iowans can rediscover the rich and diverse role Iowa played in helping shape our country.
To mark this once-in-a-generation opportunity, the Iowa Department of Transportation is partnering with Iowa’s Scenic Byways to kick off a series of educational presentations celebrating several historical locations across the state from January to June. Six monthly events, scheduled along Iowa’s Scenic Byways, will invite the public to learn about Iowa’s unique and memorable contributions to our nation’s past.
The celebration begins January 18, 2026, with “An Assessment of Iowaville (1765–1824)” at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Lodge from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Attendees will explore the fascinating story of Iowaville, an Ioway (Báxoje) Native American Tribe village in Van Buren County. Cindy Peterson, Research Director with the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist, and Alan Kelley, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, will lead the presentation.
Peterson and Kelley will bring to life the insights from a research effort supported by the State Historical Society of Iowa, offering a compelling look at the Báxoje occupation of the area and the village’s historic significance. The presentation will also include information about area artifacts, stories about tribal members, and a discussion about this remarkable place on the Iowa landscape which has been recommended as a National Historic Landmark.
A number of additional historical activities and tours are scheduled in the Van Buren County area January 18-19 through Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development.
America 250, marking the nation’s semiquincentennial, is more than a birthday – it’s a chance to reflect, learn, and celebrate the people and places that helped define the American story on Iowa’s prairielands.
“This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from experts and tribal representatives about a site that holds deep cultural and historical importance,” said Iowa DOT’s Cultural Resources Lead Brennan Dolan. “The opportunities for the public to engage with some of the truly remarkable places, people, and histories that have shaped our state are unprecedented. We encourage everyone to soak these experiences in,” Dolan added.
Monthly presentations will continue through June 2026, each spotlighting a different Iowa Scenic Byway and historical theme – from Governor Larrabee’s home at Montauk to Iowa’s Underground Railroad connections. These events are free and open to the public, offering a welcoming space for Iowans of all ages and backgrounds to connect with their heritage.
Iowa’s America 250 Scenic Byway Road Trip Schedule:
- January 18, 2026 – 1:30-2:30 p.m., Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Lodge, Historic Hills Byway: An Assessment of Iowaville (1765-1824) with Cindy Peterson and Allan Kelley.
- February 28, 2026 – 1:30-2:30 p.m., Clermont Opera House, Driftless Area Scenic Byway: An Overview of Montauk (1874–1912) with Nurit Finn.
- March 22, 2026 – 1:30-2:30 p.m., Fort Madison Riverfront Pavilion, The Great River Road National Scenic Byway:Fort Madison and the War of 1812 with State Archaeologist John Doershuk.
We will share more details for events in April, May and June as they become available. Join us as we commemorate America’s 250th with pride, reflection, and discovery and celebrate Iowa’s place in the American story.
For more information and updates on upcoming America 250 events across the state, visit Iowa America 250 Events | Governor Kim Reynolds
When making plans to attend any event, the latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or X (find links at https://iowadot.gov/travel-tools/iowa-511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.
It’s easy to subscribe to Your 511 and sign up to receive email/text alerts. Visit https://new.511ia.org/#login to sign up. For instructions and help with this feature, visit https://www.511ia.org/help/section/how-to-create-and-manage-a-511-account.html.
#
For general information about this project, contact Brennan Dolan, Iowa DOT, at 515-239-1795 or Brennan.Dolan@iowadot.us.