Posted by Meredith on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2018
Get ready to learn more about local history with the Iowa City Public Library’s Weber Days.
Our annual celebration of local history is held every May in honor of Iowa City’s unofficial historian, the late Irving B. Weber. May also is National Historical Preservation Month. This year’s lineup of programming is perfect for anyone interested in learning more about the community they call home.
Introduction to Genealogy Class: Tuesday, May 1, 10 to 11 a.m. in the Digital Media Lab
We’ll get you started on your genealogy search, from what questions to ask to how to keep track of the information you find. Registration is required.
Music on Wednesdays – Weber Days: Old Post Office Brass: Wednesday, May 2, noon to 1 p.m. in the Library Lobby
"Old Post Office Brass" reflects the home base in the Senior Center, formerly the Iowa City Post Office, and is a part of the New Horizons Band. This traditional brass quintet (two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba) will perform a variety of music.
ICPL History Walk – The Lizzie Hess Murder: Saturday, May 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Join ICPL librarians for a walk where we recount a historical murder and talk about Iowa City in the 1880s. This program will be held twice on May 5. Registration is required for each program. Each walk will travel about 1 mile in length. Meet in the Library Lobby at 2:30 p.m. for the afternoon program and outside the Library Lobby on the Pedestrian Mall side at 7 p.m. for the evening program
6-on-6 Girls’ Basketball in Iowa – Stories from the Iowa Women’s Archives and Beyond: Wednesday, May 9, noon to 1 p.m. in Meeting Room A
Guests Karen Mason, Curator of the Iowa Women's Archives at the University of Iowa, and University of Iowa Department of American Studies faculty member Jennifer Sterling will discuss the history of 6-on-6 women's basketball.
Iowa City & RAGBRAI – A Brief History: Wednesday, May 9, 7 to 8 p.m. in Meeting Room A
Join us for an evening with RAGBRAI veterans and their memories of Iowa City's participation in the bicycle ride across the state. Refreshments will be provided by Think Bicycles.
Ancestry.com Class: Friday, May 11, 10 to 11 a.m. in the Digital Media Lab
Learn how to use the Library’s online genealogy resources to help solve your family tree mysteries. Registration is required.
Iowa City, Then & Now – A Photographic Comparison of Downtown 1970-2018: Saturday, May 12, 1 to 4 p.m. in Meeting Room A
Retired Iowa City physician Dr. Oscar Beasley, an avid photographer, will share the photos he’s taken of downtown Iowa City since the 1960s.
Genealogy Lock-In: Saturday, May 19, 3 to 8 p.m. in the Digital Media Lab
Guest speakers Linda Greethurst and Kevin Spire from the State Genealogical Society will give presentations on researching and correcting your family tree. Stay after the Library closes to put this information to use doing your own research with ICPL’s print and online resources.
A Brief History of the Lucas Farms Neighborhood – Governors, Moffits, and More: Wednesday, May 23, 7 to 8 p.m. in Meeting Room A
Learn more about this modest neighborhood with a rich history that sits on the original farmland of Iowa's first Territorial Governor, Robert Lucas.
Military Records and your Genealogy Search: Friday, May 25, 10 to 11 a.m. in the Digital Media Lab
Military records are great resources when trying to further your genealogy search. There are some key things you need to know about using these records and this class will teach you what you need to know. Registration is required.
An Iowa City Streak of Lightening in the Shape of a Horse: Larry Ginter and Iowa City's Horse Racing Tradition – Wednesday, May 30, 7 to 8 p.m. in Meeting Room A
Standard bred horse-racing was all the rage at the beginning of the 20th Century. ICPL Collections Coordinator Anne Mangano will share her research on Larry Ginter, Iowa City’s most famous race horse.
To register for programs online, visit calendar.icpl.org and search for the date of the program you wish to attend. Click on the program and scroll down the screen to the green Event Registration box. Click on that and follow the instructions. You can also register by phone by calling 319-356-5200. If a program is full, your name will be put on a waiting list.