Special Exhibition

A Cedar Falls Time Capsule

February 3-December 18, 2026

Time travel with us through more than 200 years of artifacts representing the history of our community. The 2026 exhibit at the Cedar Falls Historical Society showcases artifacts from our collection dating from the early 1800s to 2025. Learn about the history of these artifacts and how they tell the story of Cedar Falls. 
Our annual exhibitions are located in the Victorian House Museum
308 W 3rd St, Cedar Falls

Hours: Open February-December
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Sunday, 1:00-4:00pm

2026 Programs and Events

Download the 2026 program flier here.

Ice Harvest Festival
Big Woods Lake North Shore
February 7, 10:00am-3:00pm

Join the Cedar Falls Historical Society on Big Woods Lake's north shore for ice harvesting demonstrations, ice carving, activities for kids, snow shoeing, blacksmithing demonstrations, ice fishing presentations, and more! The event will take place from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., with ice harvesting demonstrations at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The event is free to attend, and food will be available for purchase. The event has a backup date of February 14 if weather conditions are not favorable on the 7th.

Exhibit Open House
Victorian House Museum
February 19, 4:00-6:00pm

Come and celebrate with us as we launch our 2026 exhibit, "A Cedar Falls Time Capsule." Beverages and light refreshments will be served.

Snatched from the Headlines: An Afternoon of Improv
315 Clay St.
April 12, 2:00-3:30pm

Join us for an afternoon of fun when local improv troupe, Lorem Improv Dolor (directed by Dr. Doug Shaw) brings actual Cedar Falls headlines to life. Suggested donation $10. 

An Apple a Day: Gardening and Growing Apples
315 Clay St.
May 2, 2:00pm

Louis Beck, local apple grower, will talk about gardening in the late 1800s, specifically about apple orchards and heirloom apple varieties, based on his own experience.

Adult Show & Tell: Collections from the Community II
315 Clay St.
June 6, 2:00-4:00pm

Collections Manager & Curator, Julie Huffman-klinkowitz, will host another adult show and tell featuring four people who will each share about their own collections for 15-20 minutes. Application and prior approval to share a collection is required. Contact Julie at cfhscollections@gmail.com for more information. 

Family Story Time: Alistair's Time Machine
Victorian House Museum
July 18, 10:00-11:00am

Join Programming & Outreach Coordinator, Diane Schupbach, for our annual Family Story Time. Listen to Alistair's Time Machine (a book about time travel), and enjoy songs, crafts, a scavenger hunt, and exploring the past in our Kids Corner Time Machine. 

Mapping Cedar Falls
315 Clay St.
August 23, 2:00pm

Collections Manager & Curator, Julie Huffman-klinkowitz will use vintage and modern maps and aerial photos to show how Cedar Falls grew and to discuss the lives of the people who platted its growth. 

How to Read a Graveyard
315 Clay St.
September 20, 2:00pm

More than simply recording names and dates, the shapes, colors, and visual motifs of memorial stones can tell us much about the people whose lives they commemorate and the world in which they lived. Dr Lindsey Row-Hyveld's program will introduce you to the design trends and symbolic vocabulary or funerary art so that you can better understand the ideas, values, and messages encoded in Midwestern cemeteries. 

Cemetery Walk
Greenwood Cemetery
September 27, 2:00pm

Gather at Greenwood Cemetery to learn stories of those associated with the artifacts featured in our 2026 exhibit. Rain or shine, suggested donation $5. 

Autumnal Authors Tea
315 Clay St.
October 18, 2:00-4:00pm

Learn about three iconic women authors while you enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea catered by Panache Tea Boutique. This program is a fundraiser for the Cedar Falls Historical Society. $45. Registration required (must be 13 years old or older).

Fall for Cookies: A Decorating Workshop
315 Clay St.
November 14, 2:00-4:00pm

Stop by for a fun afternoon decorating cookies and learning about the history of cookie cutters. Kenzie Hendrickson, local baker and owner of Le Petit Bleuet, will lead this hands-on workshop. Each participant will decorate 3 cookies. the fee includes a take-home box and a goodie bag. $20. Registration required (must be 13 years old & older).

Virtual Programs

Where Does the Fish Fork Go? A look at sterling silver flatware

In this program, Kate Martin discusses flatware patterns for all tastes - plain and ornate - and how Victorian era sensibilities led to the introduction of pieces such as asparagus tongs, grape scissors, the bread fork, the marrow spoon, and more.

Virtual Exhibition Opening

Enjoy a peek at the 2021 exhibit, Art & Heirloom: Quilts of the Cedar Falls Historical Society.

Cabinets of Curiosity: Rolling Pins and Baking Things

In this program, local Quester, Marcy Hartleip, discusses her collection of cookie cutters and rolling pins. Also, stop by the Victorian House to see a display of these items in our Spring Cabinets of Curiosity exhibit from April-June.

What Do I Do with Grandma’s Quilt?

Join local quilter, Karan Flanscha, for a helpful talk about how to care for, display, store, repair, and restore antique quilts. Learn about light damage, and how folding quilts correctly can extend the life of a treasured heirloom. 

Finding Fabulous Fabric

In this presentation, local quilter, Janet O’Neil, explains how to select a color palette and appropriate fabric for a visually stunning quilt.  

Looking at Log Cabin Quilts: A bed-turning presentation

Local quilters, Aleta Anderson and Chris Lorenz present a “bed-turning” program featuring a lovely selection of Log Cabin quilts. Learn about the history of this familiar pattern, and see how the use of different fabrics and colors creates a variety of quilts from the same pattern.

Family Story Hour: A Quilt by Any Other Name

Join our Education Coordinator, Diane Schupbach, for our annual Family Story Hour. Listen to tales of quilts and quilt makers, hear about the history of quilting, learn a new song, and make some fun “quilty” crafts. Find more quilt activities here.

Cabinets of Curiosity: Stick A Pin in It! Pincushions, Thimbles & More

Local needlewoman Sheri Lesh talks about her own collections of pincushions and thimbles in this Cabinets of Curiosity program. 

Crazy for Crazy Quilts

This program is a two-for-one special! Local quilter, Sharon Walker, talks about crazy quilts, especially one from her personal collection made by her husband’s grandmother. Then watch a fascinating piece called “Crazy Quilts and Mad Women” created by Sara Walcott at the International Quilt Museum to learn more about how crazy quilts were a uniquely female endeavor.

Painted Patchwork: Barn Quilts  

This presentation showcases some amazing barn quilts, and tells more about the history of this truly American art form.  Maps showing the location of barn quilts in Black Hawk and nearby counties are available for “self-drive” tours.

Cabinets of Curiosity: Gurley (no, not THAT kind of girly) Candles

This Cabinets of Curiosity program, presented by Chris Lorenz, accompanies a display of festive Gurley candles in the Victorian House through December 17, 2021.

Quilted Christmas Ornament Workshop 

Learn how to make a quilted Christmas ornament during this hands-on workshop. Kits will be available for purchase in the Historical Society gift shop starting November 2 through December 17, 2021 for $5.

Family Story Hour: Let's Take a Vote!

Visit our Facebook page to follow along at home as our education coordinator, Diane Schupbach, reads stories and rhymes, learn about the fight for women's suffrage, and celebrate the 100th anniversary of this important achievement! 

Unlacing the Corset: Fashion and Freedom

Learn about the restrictions of mid-1800s dress and the shocking changes precipitated by suffragists. 

Picturing the Arguments Against Woman Suffrage

Dr. Cate Palczewski talks about cartoon postcards opposing suffrage for women at the height of the suffrage movement. This lecture, richly illustrated with examples from postcards from 1900-1919, explores the visual arguments against woman suffrage and notes the way similar images appear in contemporary media. 

Standing Up to be Counted

Judith Harrington, Professor Emerita, University of Northern Iowa, talks about the class-action lawsuit, Harrington et al. vs. the University of Northern Iowa, the State Board of Regents, and the State of Iowa, she and fellow women faculty filed in the 1970s because of salary inequities on the basis of gender. 

Buttons: Functional and Ornamental

During this Cabinets of Curiosity virtual program, hear all about the history of buttons, and make a adorable button ornament at home. Presented by Dianne Peterson and Jan Hankins .  Download the craft instructions here.