Iowa Department of Transportation invites you to start celebrating the semiquincentennial of America with Iowa’s American 250 Scenic Byways Road Trip series.
The celebration begins on Sunday, January 18, 2026, with “An Assessment of Iowaville (1765–1824)” at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Lodge from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Attendees will explore the fascinating story of Iowaville, an Ioway (Báxoje) Native American Tribe village in Van Buren County. Cindy Peterson, Research Director with the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist, and Alan Kelley, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, will lead the presentation.
Peterson and Kelley will bring to life the insights from a research effort supported by the State Historical Society of Iowa, offering a compelling look at the Báxoje occupation of the area and the village’s historic significance. The presentation will also include information about area artifacts, stories about tribal members, and a discussion about this remarkable place on the Iowa landscape which has been recommended as a National Historic Landmark.
A number of additional historical activities and tours are scheduled in the Van Buren County area January 18-19 through Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development.
America 250, marking the nation’s semiquincentennial, is more than a birthday – it’s a chance to reflect, learn, and celebrate the people and places that helped define the American story on Iowa’s prairielands. Please refer to this website.
Monthly presentations will continue through June 2026, each spotlighting a different Iowa Scenic Byway and historical theme – from Governor Larrabee’s home at Montauk to Iowa’s Underground Railroad connections. These events are free and open to the public, offering a welcoming space for Iowans of all ages and backgrounds to connect with their heritage.
Iowa’s America 250 Scenic Byway Road Trip Schedule:
- January 18, 2026 – 1:30-2:30 p.m., Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Lodge, Historic Hills Byway: An Assessment of Iowaville (1765-1824) with Cindy Peterson and Allan Kelley.
- February 28, 2026 – 1:30-2:30 p.m., Clermont Opera House, River Bluffs Scenic Byway: An Overview of Montauk (1874–1912) with Nurit Finn.
- March 22, 2026 – 1:30-2:30 p.m., Fort Madison Riverfront Pavilion, The Great River Road National Scenic Byway:Fort Madison and the War of 1812 with State Archaeologist John Doershuk.