Iowa State University Department of History

Iowa State University Department of History The official page for the Iowa State University Department of History.

The official page for the Department of History at Iowa State University connecting faculty, staff, alumni, students, prospective students, and friends.

It’s Fun Fact Friday!Did you know that if you walk on the west side of the Food Science Building, you will see a plaque ...
09/04/2026

It’s Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know that if you walk on the west side of the Food Science Building, you will see a plaque that talks about how Iowa State produces the world’s finest blue cheese?

The plaque reads, “Iowa State is home to the process that produces the world’s finest blue cheese. In 1937, Iowa State dairy microbiology professors Clarence Lane and Bernard Hammer developed a blue cheese process using homogenized milk. The Lane and Hammer process is now the standard for the blue cheese industry.”

Join us on Wednesday, September 9th at 5pm for Pizza with the Profs! This is a fun way to meet new students and get to k...
08/31/2026

Join us on Wednesday, September 9th at 5pm for Pizza with the Profs! This is a fun way to meet new students and get to know the history professors as we kickoff the fall semester! 🍕

First Years and Transfer Students: Join our DUST (Director of Undergraduate Studies) on Monday, August 31st at 3:30pm in...
08/28/2026

First Years and Transfer Students: Join our DUST (Director of Undergraduate Studies) on Monday, August 31st at 3:30pm in Ross 606 to learn more about the history program!

It’s Fun Fact Friday!In honor of the renovations underway on Lake Laverne, today’s fact will be about how the lake recei...
08/28/2026

It’s Fun Fact Friday!

In honor of the renovations underway on Lake Laverne, today’s fact will be about how the lake received its name. Lake LaVerne is named after LaVerne W. Noyes, who donated $10,000 in 1916 for the creation of the lake!

It’s officially the start of the Fall 2026 semester! Looking forward to connecting with new and returning students, and ...
08/23/2026

It’s officially the start of the Fall 2026 semester! Looking forward to connecting with new and returning students, and of course, lots of learning! 📚

Cyclones: Where Are They Now?Today we are spotlighting Melissa Cinca (’19, History & French). Currently, Melissa is a mi...
08/18/2026

Cyclones: Where Are They Now?

Today we are spotlighting Melissa Cinca (’19, History & French).

Currently, Melissa is a middle school social studies teacher and uses her “love and passion for history to teach the future generations about our own country from more than just a textbook.”

Beyond the classroom, Melissa is involved in the school community through the student government club and co-leading the annual 8th-grade trip to DC. She is also the head coach of the volleyball team.  

Melissa’s favorite history classes at ISU would be Sports History and History of the Civil War. She encourages current and incoming students to “take the history classes that you wouldn’t think you are really into learning. It’ll help in the future by expanding your knowledge and getting comfortable with the professors. The department is such a small group of amazing staff. Get to know your other history students, as many will be in the same classes the entirety of school.”

The Iowa State University History Department is proud of you, Melissa!

In early May, Dr. Stacy Cordery took her Gilded Age class to visit the Farm House Museum. They studied how middle-class ...
08/11/2026

In early May, Dr. Stacy Cordery took her Gilded Age class to visit the Farm House Museum. They studied how middle-class Americans might have lived here in Iowa. As a bonus, alumna and curator Allison Sheridan taught the class how to make a cyanotype, a decorative art popular among Gilded Age women and used in scientific investigations.

On June 10th, Dr. Jeff Bremer gave the opening talk at the State Historical Society of Iowa “Iowa History Institute”. Th...
08/04/2026

On June 10th, Dr. Jeff Bremer gave the opening talk at the State Historical Society of Iowa “Iowa History Institute”. The SHSI holds an annual teacher training, and each year covers one section of the book. In 2027, the portion covered will be 1870-1929.

If you are interested please visit, history.iowa.gov/events/iowa-history-institute-part-i-iowa-civil-war

Once again, a huge thank you to outgoing Chair of the History Department, Dr. Simon Cordery, who has spent the last deca...
08/03/2026

Once again, a huge thank you to outgoing Chair of the History Department, Dr. Simon Cordery, who has spent the last decade tirelessly herding the cats, putting out the fires, and forging new paths for the department And once again, a huge welcome to Dr. David Hollander, the department's incoming Chair, who will (no doubt) do a wonderful job balancing the needs of faculty and students.

It’s Fun Fact Friday!Did you know that Morrill Hall, a staple on Iowa State’s campus, used to house the library on campu...
07/31/2026

It’s Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know that Morrill Hall, a staple on Iowa State’s campus, used to house the library on campus, along with a museum and a chapel?

Address

603 Ross Hall, Farmhouse Lane
Ames, IA
50010

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+15152947266

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