Iowa History Journal

06/04/2026

IHJ contributing writers among winners of Excellence in Iowa History Awards

The State Historical Society of Iowa Board of Trustees presented its Excellence in Iowa History Awards during a ceremony held on May 28 at the State Historical Building of Iowa in Des Moines. Among those who received awards or recognition for their work in 2025 to preserve Iowa history were writers Matthew Walsh and C.J. Williams for their stories published last year by Iowa History Journal.

Walsh won the 2026 George Mills and Louise Noun Popular History Award for his story “A Symbol of Hope: Robert Ray Welcomes Southeast Asian Refugees” published in IHJ’s May/June 2025 issue.

Williams received a certificate of recognition in the Mills-Noun category for his story “A Profile in Judicial Courage” published in IHJ’s July/August 2025 issue.

Copies of IHJ's past issues featuring their stories are available at iowahistoryjournal.com.

Others who received awards include Coreen Derifield (Benjamin F. Shambaugh Award), Christopher Schoen (Excellence in Archaeology & Historic Preservation), Grace Linden and Moville Historical Society (Loren Horton Community History Award), Marian Wilson Kimber (Mildred Throne & Charles Aldrich Scholarly History Award) and John Zeller (William J. Petersen & Edgar R. Harlan Lifetime Achievement Award).

For the full list of winners visit history.iowa.gov.

06/02/2026

On this Lou Gehrig Day, in which Major League Baseball promotes awareness of ALS and supporting those affected, we are reminded of when the New York Yankees Hall of Fame first baseman and his teammate Babe Ruth played in an exhibition game in Des Moines in 1927, just 11 days after the Yankees won the World Series and 17 days after Ruth hits his MLB record 60th home run. It was one of several games the famous duo played during their barnstorming tour across the nation. They were in Des Moines Oct. 16-17 and are pictured in this newspaper photo holding a pair of orphans. They were among the 400 orphans who were guests of Ruth and Gehrig at the game on Oct. 17.

According to newspaper reports of the game by the Des Moines Register and Tribune and Capital, the Bustin’ Babes beat the Larrupin’ Lous 15-7, though neither star homered for their respective teams. Gehrig bested the Babe that day going 4 for 5 with a double and three singles. He popped up to the third baseman in his last trip to the plate with Ruth on the mound.

On the morning of Oct. 17, the pair ate Iowa pheasant for breakfast at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. After their exhibition game, Ruth and Gehrig shared a box at the Berchel Theatre to watch the Des Moines Federation of Women’s Club perform their minstrel r***e, “Merry Minstrel Maids."

Following their game at Western League Park in Des Moines, they traveled to Sioux City to play. They played 21 games in 20 cities, in nine states from Rhode Island to California.

Gehrig played 17 seasons for the Yankees and was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Known for his power and durability, “The Iron Horse” was a perennial All-Star, a Triple Crown winner, an AL MVP twice, a six-time World Series champion, and he held a record for the most consecutive games played (2,130) until Cal Ripken Jr. broke it in 1995. He had a career batting average of .340, slugged 492 home runs and drove in 1,995 runs. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class of 1939.

Gehrig took himself out of the Yankees lineup on May 2, 1939, after becoming hampered by an undiagnosed ailment that later was confirmed to be ALS, which is commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Iron Horse never played again and retired in 1939 at age 36. On July 4 that year, he delivered his iconic “luckiest man on the face of the earth” speech at Yankee Stadium.

Gehrig died of complications from ALS on June 2, 1941, at age 37. In 1969, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voted Gehrig the greatest first baseman of all time. In 1999, he received the most votes by fans for the MLB All-Century Team.

06/01/2026

IHJ 2026 Quiz, Week 22: Can you name the soldier who lived in Oskaloosa most of his life, joined the 5th Iowa Infantry Regiment, and served under the command of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in the western theater of the American Civil War? (Hint: He was a prisoner of war and talented poet.)

Find the answer in the May/June issue of Iowa History Journal sold at Barnes & Noble, Hy-Vee, Beaverdale Books, Books-A-Million and select Walmart, Fleet Farm, Walgreens and Hy-Vee Drug stores. To subscribe, visit iowahistoryjournal.com and add $2.50 to start with the current issue.

05/30/2026

Every Iowan should read our cover story before July 4th! 🇺🇸
Get your copy at Barnes & Noble or iowahistoryjournal.com

05/28/2026

05/26/2026

IHJ 2026 Quiz, Week 21: Popular editorial cartoonist and conservationist Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling designed the first duck stamp for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in what year?

Find the answer in the May/June issue of Iowa History Journal sold at Barnes & Noble, Hy-Vee, Beaverdale Books, Books-A-Million and select Walmart, Fleet Farm, Walgreens and Hy-Vee Drug stores. To subscribe, visit iowahistoryjournal.com and add $2.50 to start with the current issue.

05/25/2026

We enjoyed yesterday’s Memorial Day service at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Prescott hosted by members and families of the American Legion Williamson Legion Family 719. Sen. Tom Shipley spoke to those who gathered about the importance of honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our nation’s armed forces.

Williamson Legion Family 719

05/25/2026

During our trip to Adair County today IHJ stopped by The Freedom Rock just south of I-80 off the Greenfield exit on Iowa Highway 25. Congratulations to artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II for another fine Memorial Day display. Visit thefreedomrock.com for a list of his Freedom Rocks in Iowa and more.

05/24/2026

Wishing Iowans a safe and reflective Memorial Day weekend as we honor the memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion. IHJ remains committed to telling their stories. Visit our online store for back issues featuring them. 🇺🇸
https://iowahistoryjournal.com/store/