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.
Adult Show & Tell: Collections from the Community II315 Clay St.
June 6, 2:00-4:00pm
Our second Adult Show & Tell is coming up on Saturday, June 6. Our Collections Manager, Julie Huffman-klinkowitz, will host again, and the collections of Kellie Smith, Linda Grimm, Russ Grimm, and Rich Congdon will be featured.
Sturgis Falls WeekendJune 26-28
The Victorian House Museum will be open 10:00am-4:00pm on Friday, and 1:00-5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. The Lenoir model trains will be running 1:00-4:00pm on Friday, and 1:00-5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Silhouette artist, Nancy Barsic, will be located at the Victorian House from 1:00-4:00pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Admission is free, as always.
The Schoolhouse Museum will be open from 1:00-5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, as always.
The Ice House Museum will be open from 1:00-5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission will be free thanks to our sponsors: Cedar Falls Tourism, Copyworks, Crystal Cold, and Hawkeye Alarm.
Family Story Time: Alistair's Time MachineVictorian 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 Falls315 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 Graveyard315 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 WalkGreenwood 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 Tea315 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 Workshop315 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.
