LHF Blog

December 23, 2020 These festive baubles are mid-20th century Christmas tree ornaments from our historic artifact collection. This collection features two very popular types of ornaments, the iconic Shiny Brites and imported mercury glass. The…

October 11, 2018 As Iowa heads into fall, our museum looks forward to the many simple pleasures the season brings us. Ripe corn, cool mornings, coffee on the woodstove, and fuzzy wool overcoats. It’s also…

December 30, 2015 It is almost 2016! Many people are planning a New Year’s Eve party on December 31st and then a solid day of parades and football watching on January 1st. In the 1870s,…

December 23, 2015 Everyone is getting into the holiday spirit by now, and starting to make time for festivals, soirees, and visits amongst friends. These are often full of food and revelry, and sometimes friendly…

December 2, 2015 We see them everywhere in December, twinkling with lights and full of colorful ornaments, but have you ever stopped to think about how old the tradition of the Christmas tree really is,…

November 23, 2015 Thanksgiving is one of America’s favorite holidays. Generally filled with food and family, and often football, it is a time to reflect on the blessings of the year and share our table…

November 3, 2015 It’s the first week of November. For many people, this is the beginning of a wonderful harvest and holiday season running all the way into January. For many others, this is the…

July 3, 2013 I’m sure many of you are looking forward to celebrating the Fourth of July tomorrow with your friends and family, especially all the delicious food that’s sure to be on the table!…

June 28, 2012 Next week we celebrate the birth of our nation. Right here in Urbandale there is an annual parade, carnival, and fireworks. Families will come out to celebrate, not unlike families of the…

May 8, 2012 This coming Sunday many people all over the nation will celebrate their mothers. While each family has a unique way of honoring mom, there is no denying that Mother’s Day is a…