IowaPublicTelevision
1903 Cadillac | Artifact Iowa
- Title
- 1903 Cadillac | Artifact Iowa
- Runtime
- 5:25
- Date posted
- 13 hours ago
- Description
- Few Americans realize that two icons of the automotive industry share a common origin. After Henry Ford left his second automotive venture, the Henry Ford Company, machinist Henry Leland persuaded investors to reorganize it as Cadillac—a brand that would become synonymous with precision engineering and quality craftsmanship.
The 1903 Cadillac Runabout emerged from that remarkable turning point. Combining a reliable single-cylinder engine with familiar technologies, it marks the beginning of two competing visions that reshaped the American automobile.
Artifact Iowa tells Iowa’s story through real objects from Iowa’s past. Each episode will center on a single artifact to unpack the larger human story behind it - revealing moments of innovation, resilience, creativity and change that define our state’s history. www.iowapbs.org/artifactiowa.
- Title
- 1899 Locomobile | Artifact Iowa
- Runtime
- 3:39
- Date posted
- 16 hours ago
- Description
- The 1899 steam-powered Locomobile bridged the technologies of its era, helping launch the automotive age. Its bicycle-inspired wheels and boat-inspired tiller steering reflected the innovations of the time. Often called a "horseless carriage," the Locomobile brought the power of steam transportation to everyday Iowans.
Artifact Iowa tells Iowa’s story through real objects from Iowa’s past. Each episode will center on a single artifact to unpack the larger human story behind it - revealing moments of innovation, resilience, creativity and change that define our state’s history. www.iowapbs.org/artifactiowa.
- Title
- IHSAA Roundup
- Runtime
- 29:37
- Date posted
- 3 days ago
- Description
- Take a look back at a handful of the incredible and inspiring stories and achievements of Iowa's top male student-athletes from the 2025-2026 school year.
- Title
- Class 5A — Waukee Northwest vs. Ankeny Centennial
- Runtime
- 2:11:31
- Date posted
- 12 days ago
- Description
- The Waukee Northwest Wolves play the Ankeny Centennial Jaguars for the 5A title.
Programming support for the 2026 IGHSAU Girls State Softball Championships is provided by Fareway, Farmers Mutual Hail, Pella Rolscreen Foundation and Musco Lighting.
- Title
- Class 3A — Williamsburg vs. Wahlert Catholic
- Runtime
- 2:09:37
- Date posted
- 12 days ago
- Description
- The Williamsburg Raiders play the Wahlert Catholic Golden Eagles for the 3A title.
Programming support for the 2026 IGHSAU Girls State Softball Championships is provided by Fareway, Farmers Mutual Hail, Pella Rolscreen Foundation and Musco Lighting.
- Title
- Class 1A — Clarksville vs. Edgewood-Colesburg
- Runtime
- 1:47:33
- Date posted
- 12 days ago
- Description
- The Clarksville Indians play the Edgewood-Colesburg Vikings for the 1A title.
Programming support for the 2026 IGHSAU Girls State Softball Championships is provided by Fareway, Farmers Mutual Hail, Pella Rolscreen Foundation and Musco Lighting.
- Title
- Class 4A — Carlisle vs. ADM
- Runtime
- 2:17:45
- Date posted
- 13 days ago
- Description
- The Carlisle Wildcats play the ADM Tigers for the 4A title.
Programming support for the 2026 IGHSAU Girls State Softball Championships is provided by Fareway, Farmers Mutual Hail, Pella Rolscreen Foundation and Musco Lighting.
- Title
- Class 2A — Wapsie Valley vs. Grand View Christian
- Runtime
- 2:12:52
- Date posted
- 13 days ago
- Description
- The Wapsie Valley Warriors play the Grand View Christian Thunder for the 2A title.
Programming support for the 2026 IGHSAU Girls State Softball Championships is provided by Fareway, Farmers Mutual Hail, Pella Rolscreen Foundation and Musco Lighting.
- Title
- Perla Camacho Jimenez Offers Ceramics Classes for People With Rheumatic Conditions | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 3:44
- Date posted
- 20 days ago
- Description
- After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, ceramicist Perla Camacho Jimenez found healing through clay and connection, by creating a therapeutic ceramics class for people living with rheumatic conditions including arthritis, fibromyalgia, and gout.
- Title
- General Dodge and the Transcontinental Railroad
- Runtime
- 56:47
- Date posted
- 22 days ago
- Description
- Grenville M. Dodge was a Civil War general, intelligence pioneer and chief engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad. His leadership on and off the battlefield helped preserve a fractured nation and drive the expansion that connected a continent. Through a story of war, innovation and ambition, this film examines the forces that bound the United States together during one of its most defining eras.
- Title
- He's Placed 400 Headstones on Unmarked Veterans' Graves, and He Isn't Stopping | Iowa LIfe
- Runtime
- 4:48
- Date posted
- 27 days ago
- Description
- Over the last 20 years, Central Iowa native Mike Rowley has installed more than 400 headstones on unmarked veterans' graves — and he has no plans to stop anytime soon. He volunteers hundreds of hours of his time each year identifying the veterans, getting in contact with their families, ordering stones from the Department of Veterans Affairs and placing them in cemeteries across the state.
- Title
- Episode 310 | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 28:46
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Celebrate America 250 with stories of preservation and remembrance, from Seed Savers Exchange and the Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey to Des Moines Metro Opera and a look back at Iowa's bicentennial.
- Title
- Colfax, Iowa in 1976: A Bicentennial Time Capsule | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 4:32
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we look back at a film produced during the nation's bicentennial in 1976. This portrait of Colfax, Iowa captures the people, traditions, and rhythms of small-town life, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past and a chance to reflect on what has changed, and what has endured.
- Title
- Michael Egel and the Rise of Des Moines Metro Opera | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 6:41
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- For more than 30 years, Michael Egel has helped shape the future of Des Moines Metro Opera. From his beginnings in small-town Iowa to leading one of the nation's most respected opera companies, Egel has championed artistic excellence, American works, and the belief that world-class art can thrive in Iowa.
- Title
- Birthday Monday, June 22, 2026
- Runtime
- 1:08
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Happy Birthday to all of these fabulous Iowa PBS Kids Club members!
- Title
- Iowa PBS Pets Club - June 18, 2026
- Runtime
- 0:31
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- These pets are officially part of the family — and the club.
Thanks for sharing your adorable companions with us!
- Title
- Exploring the legacy of General Dodge and the Transcontinental Railroad
- Runtime
- 8:00
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- General Dodge helped shape one of the most ambitious engineering projects in American history.
In this interview, Tyler Brinegar, Iowa PBS producer of General Dodge and the Transcontinental Railroad shares insights into the making of the documentary and the legacy of the man who helped connect a nation by rail.
- Title
- Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey: Iowa Students Preserve a Civil War Legacy | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 6:58
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- More than 160 years after the Civil War, Greene County students are uncovering the story of the Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey. Their efforts to research, honor, and memorialize the young men who left school to fight for the Union are preserving an extraordinary piece of Iowa history.
- Title
- Revolutionary War Veterans | More Than a Soldier
- Runtime
- 1:26
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Discover the stories of Revolutionary War veterans and the lasting impact they left on the state’s history.
- Title
- Episode 309 | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 27:55
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Meet Central Iowa artists of all abilities, explore how light pollution is changing the night sky, visit the Bremer County Fair for a combine demolition derby, and discover Elk Horn’s new giant troll sculpture.
- Title
- Elk Horn Welcomes Giant Troll Sculpture, Fjord Ferryman, by Artist Thomas Dambo | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 3:19
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Elk Horn welcomes a new giant troll sculpture, Fjord Ferryman, by international recycle artist Thomas Dambo.
- Title
- Birthday Monday, June 1, 2026
- Runtime
- 1:07
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Happy Birthday to all of these fabulous Iowa PBS Kids Club members!
- Title
- Bremer County Fair Combine Demolition Derby: Iowa Farm Machines Collide | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 6:51
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- At the Bremer County Fair Combine Demolition Derby, retired harvesters roar back to life for a night of hard-hitting competition.
- Title
- Powder Horn | Artifact Iowa
- Runtime
- 4:58
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Crafted from horn, leather and gourds, powder horns carried the black powder that fueled America’s fight for independence.
This powder horn was donated to the State Historical Society of Iowa in 1919 by the Polk family of Des Moines, a prominent central Iowa family.
Artifact Iowa tells Iowa’s story through real objects from Iowa’s past. Each episode will center on a single artifact to unpack the larger human story behind it - revealing moments of innovation, resilience, creativity and change that define our state’s history. www.iowapbs.org/artifactiowa
- Title
- Brown Bess Musket | Artifact Iowa
- Runtime
- 6:09
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- On September 23, 1780, David Williams and two other American militiamen used this captured Brown Bess musket to stop Major John André as he rode toward British lines in New York.
The musket was bequeathed to the State Historical Museum of Iowa around 1949 by Winifred Smith, a descendant of Hiram Benedict, who moved to Iowa from New York in 1856. Hiram Benedict is believed to be related to the family of Joseph Benedict, the farmer for whom David Williams worked.
- Title
- Cato Mead | Valley Forge to Iowa Frontier
- Runtime
- 1:56
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Cato Mead was only 14 years old when he enlisted to fight in the Revolutionary War, but he spent his final days as an Iowa pioneer.
- Title
- Protecting Iowa’s Night Sky: Light Pollution and Dark Sky Solutions | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 6:45
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Explore how light pollution is changing the night sky, its impact on people and wildlife, and what Iowans are doing to bring the stars back. We'll learn how dark sky compliant lighting is benefiting the environment and providing energy efficiencies, and we'll visit one of Iowa's darkest sky locations, Whiterock Conservancy near Coon Rapids.
- Title
- Iowa's Own Paul Revere? Meet Jean-Marie Cardinal | America 250
- Runtime
- 1:24
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Did Iowa have a Paul Revere of their own, pre-statehood?
- Title
- Episode 308 | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 28:01
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Tobi Parks brings new energy to Des Moines’ music scene; Ron Howing’s decades of conservation revive Iowa’s wetlands; the Great Pyramids of Avery endure; and in Independence, Em’s Coffee Company brews belonging and opportunity.
- Title
- These Artists are Proof that Art is a Universal Language | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 7:16
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The Freedom of Expression Project is a cohort of 13 Central Iowa artists of all abilities who create works for a biennial public art display. See them prepare for their end-of-the-year exhibition and fashion show, and learn about why creating art is important to them.
- Title
- Littlefield Drum | Artifact Iowa
- Runtime
- 6:09
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Before the field telephones and radios of World War I, drums were used to convey orders and direct troop movements. One such drum has been preserved at the State Historical Museum of Iowa for nearly 100 years.
Donated by a great-grandson of Moses Littlefield, the Moses Littlefield drum was used during the War of 1812 and later to train Civil War soldiers in Iowa.
Artifact Iowa tells Iowa’s story through real objects from Iowa’s past. Each episode will center on a single artifact to unpack the larger human story behind it - revealing moments of innovation, resilience, creativity and change that define our state’s history. www.iowapbs.org/artifactiowa
- Title
- How Does a Seed Grown in Decorah Get To Your Own Garden? | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 2:54
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Follow a seed's journey at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah -- from when it's planted in the ground to when it arrives in a packet on your doorstep.
- Title
- Iowa Press Debates: U.S. Senate Democratic Primary
- Runtime
- 57:27
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Iowa PBS hosted Iowa Press Debates: U.S. Senate Democratic Primary on Tuesday, May 5 at the Iowa PBS studios in Johnston, Iowa.
Hosted by Iowa Press moderator Kay Henderson, candidates Rep. Josh Turek (D - Council Bluffs) and Sen. Zach Wahls (D - Coralville) answer questions from reporters and discuss their platforms, concerns and future plans. Henderson moderates the debate with Erin Murphy, Des Moines bureau chief for The Gazette and Stephen Gruber-Miller, Capitol bureau chief for The Des Moines Register.
- Title
- Take a Virtual Visit of Seed Savers Exchange Heritage Farm | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 1:34
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Seed Savers Exchange Heritage Farm in Decorah, Iowa is home to seed banks, lush display gardens, public hiking trails, apple orchards and a trout stream.
- Title
- This Iowa Nonprofit is the Largest Nongovernmental Seed Bank in the Country | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 7:13
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Every seed has a story. Learn about the 50-year history of Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how the nonprofit operates.
- Title
- 2026 Terrace Hill Piano Competition
- Runtime
- 56:46
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- For years, the Terrace Hill Endowment for the Musical Arts has sponsored an annual piano competition to showcase Iowa’s young musical talent. This program features highlights from the winners of the 2026 competition.
- Title
- Barton Heritage Quilt | Artifact Iowa
- Runtime
- 5:29
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Quilted by the members of St. Petri Lutheran Church in Story City, Iowa, the Barton Heritage Quilt was designed by Mary Pemble Barton to commemorate the 1976 bicentennial of the American Revolution—a milestone in the nation’s history.
In 1987, Mary Pemble Barton donated the quilt to the State Historical Society of Iowa, ensuring its preservation and continued appreciation for generations to come.
Artifact Iowa tells Iowa’s story through real objects from Iowa’s past. Each episode will center on a single artifact to unpack the larger human story behind it - revealing moments of innovation, resilience, creativity and change that define our state’s history. www.iowapbs.org/artifactiowa
- Title
- Handcart Sculpture | Artifact Iowa
- Runtime
- 4:13
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Between 1856 and 1860, about 3,000 Mormon pioneers crossed Iowa on foot, pulling handcarts loaded with their belongings. In 1926, Norwegian artist Torleif S. Knaphus commemorated their remarkable journey.
Donated to the State Historical Society of Iowa in 1988, this sculpture is one of about 20 smaller versions of Knaphus’s original work. The full-sized piece stands in Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Artifact Iowa tells Iowa’s story through real objects from Iowa’s past. Each episode will center on a single artifact to unpack the larger human story behind it - revealing moments of innovation, resilience, creativity and change that define our state’s history. www.iowapbs.org/artifactiowa
- Title
- What Are the Great Pyramids of Avery? Iowa’s Hidden Mystery Explained I Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 3:32
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Tucked away in a rural Monroe County cemetery, the Great Pyramids of Avery have sparked curiosity for decades. Built by Axel Peterson - a coal miner and self-proclaimed “philosopher of Avery” - these unusual structures reflect a life shaped by big ideas, eccentric thinking, and a legacy that still stands today.
- Title
- Iowa Press Debates: Republican Gubernatorial Primary
- Runtime
- 56:54
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Iowa PBS hosted Iowa Press Debates: Republican Gubernatorial Primary on Tuesday, April 28 at Iowa PBS studios in Johnston, Iowa.
Hosted by Iowa Press moderator Kay Henderson, candidates Rep. Eddie Andrews (R - Johnston), Brad Sherman (R - Williamsburg) and Adam Steen (R - Runnells) answer questions from reporters and discuss their platforms, concerns and future plans. Henderson moderates the debate with Erin Murphy, Des Moines bureau chief for The Gazette and Brianne Pfannenstiel, chief politics reporter for The Des Moines Register.
- Title
- Mourning Embroidery | Artifact Iowa
- Runtime
- 5:54
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- George Washington’s 1799 death stirred national grief, inspiring mourning embroidery to honor heroes and loved ones alike.
Donated to the State Historical Society of Iowa in 1971, this artifact tells a story not only of grief and loss, but also of a family who came to settle here in our state.
Artifact Iowa tells Iowa’s story through real objects from Iowa’s past. Each episode will center on a single artifact to unpack the larger human story behind it - revealing moments of innovation, resilience, creativity and change that define our state’s history. www.iowapbs.org/artifactiowa
- Title
- General Dodge Hat | Artifact Iowa
- Runtime
- 6:26
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- General Grenville Dodge’s hat—pierced by a bullet—became one of the Civil War’s most unexpectedly famous accessories.
The origins of the hat and how it came to be in Iowa is a little bit of a mystery. Acquisition records indicate that the hat was given to the State Historical Society by General Dodge himself before his death in 1916.
Artifact Iowa tells Iowa’s story through real objects from Iowa’s past. Each episode will center on a single artifact to unpack the larger human story behind it - revealing moments of innovation, resilience, creativity and change that define our state’s history. www.iowapbs.org/artifactiowa
- Title
- Em’s Coffee Company: An Iowa Coffee Shop Brewing Community and Opportunity | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 7:04
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- In Independence, Em’s Coffee Company brews more than just coffee. What began as a way to create meaningful employment for its owner, Emilea, has grown into a welcoming gathering place — offering customers a sense of belonging with every cup.
- Title
- Finding Phenomena in Nature | Iowa Science Phenomena
- Runtime
- 5:08
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- What starts as curiosity about how fireflies glow can turn into a deeper appreciation for the small, often overlooked moments. Phenomena can be explored in Iowa’s prairies, woodlands, and backyards. Featuring highlights from an Iowa Science Phenomena Blitz, this video demonstrates how observing and letting curiosity lead can inspire learners of all ages.
Iowa Science Phenomena is a website and service dedicated to supporting classrooms through a curated collection of user-generated, Iowa-focused science phenomena. Explore the collection and learn how you can contribute: iowaphenomena.org
- Title
- Road Trip Iowa | Season 3 Promo
- Runtime
- 0:31
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Iowa PBS’s Road Trip Iowa returns for an all new adventure across the state, showcasing historic sites, unique attractions and natural beauty along the way when season 3 premieres Monday, May 11. After exploring Iowa’s scenic byways in the first two seasons, the series now hits the highways—uncovering even more communities and must-see destinations across Iowa.
Featuring eight new episodes, viewers will venture to the Grotto of the Redemption, the National Farm Toy Museum, Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor and other destinations around the state. Highways featured include Highway 18, Highway 20, Highway 34, Highway 27, Highway 60, Highway 141 and Highway 163.
“With season three we transitioned from the scenic byways to highways of our choosing, so we have even more towns and locations to choose from,” said Iowa PBS Senior Producer and Director Tyler Brinegar. “We're excited to share the itineraries we’ve put together and I think we’re fe...
- Title
- The Legacy of Iowa DNR Biologist Ron Howing in Wetland Preservation | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 7:20
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Ron Howing, who worked in Iowa conservation for over 50 years, is credited with restoring wetlands across northern Iowa and reestablishing the giant Canada goose back to the state.
- Title
- xBrooklyn Rocking Iowa | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 6:44
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Looking for a new adventure after years in New York City, Tobi Parks specifically chose Des Moines to be her home. Since her arrival, Tobi quickly made an impact on the local arts scene with her music venue @xBkLive.
Featuring live performances from
@gregwheelerpolyvevo6056
@AdamBruceMusic
@AbbieSawyer
@JasonWalsmith
Story produced by @ResponsiblyWild
- Title
- The Legacy of 4-H
- Runtime
- 56:47
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- The Legacy of 4-H explores the origins of the nation’s largest youth organization, tracing its roots to the early 1900s. The documentary celebrates Jessie Field Shambaugh, known as the “Mother of 4-H,” and her lasting influence on youth education. Through history and reflection, the film shows how 4-H has empowered generations with skills, leadership, and a commitment to community.
- Title
- Episode 307 | Iowa Life
- Runtime
- 27:47
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- Ragtime and eagle watching meet in Muscatine’s Eagles and Ivories festival; engines roar at the Battle at the Barn; Strawberry Point celebrates its giant strawberry; and a Cedar Rapids ballet folklórico troupe keeps Mexican dance traditions alive.
- Title
- 2026 Girls State Basketball Tournament Rollout
- Runtime
- 1:13
- Date posted
- 4 months ago
- Description
- The end of tournament sights, sounds and spectacle of the 2026 IGHSAU Girls State Basketball Championships on Iowa PBS set to music.
