The History Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Linn County, Iowa, connecting people of all ages to the past, present, and future of the region. As a unique community resource, it strives to make local history accessible and enjoyable for everyone. The organization hosts rotating temporary exhibits in two galleries, covering diverse topics from community quilting to civil rights struggles in Iowa. It also maintains a robust archive with unique materials for research. The History Center offers various programs, including "Oral Histories Live!" which records and transcribes life stories, creating valuable primary source material. They also host historian-led talks about local buildings and neighborhoods. The History Center received the American Association of State & Local History's gold medal for programming in 2023. Support for their work comes from the Iowa Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as the Iowa Arts Council.
