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Upcoming Events...
A Sports Town: from the 'Bahnsen Burner' to the 'Don Chandler Rule', February 24, 7:00 pm.
Council Bluffs has been the home to many who left their mark on various sports nationally. In this program writer/researcher Brian Mainwaring spotlights some of those heroes and the impact they made in their areas of excellence. This is part of the Society's "Sip and Learn" series at Barley's, 114 West Broadway. There is no admission charge.
Etched in Stone, Monday, March 2, 6:30 pm.
When we reflect on important aspects of local history, we’re doing so with benefit of hindsight. The historical markers and monuments around town reflect a different perspective: they represent what people thought was important at the time. Sometimes both viewpoints are the same, other times not. This program uses the historical monuments and markers as a gateway to explore distinctive moments in Council Bluffs history, such as the visit of Abraham Lincoln visit, the Mormon battalion, 1952 flood, the first building in the city, the coming of the Potawatomi, flood of 2019, and more. The program will be presented by Richard Warner at the Council Bluffs Public Library, There is no admission charge.
Historic Preservation Celebration, Saturday, March 28, 9 am - 4 pm.
The third annual Historic Preservation Party will be held on Saturday March 28, 2026 at the Council Bluffs Public Library from 9 am - 4 pm. The Council Bluffs Historic Preservation Commission hosts this event to celebrate historic preservation and inform the public what historic preservation is and how they can become involved. Attendees can visit table displays set up by groups around the region showcasing what their organization does with regard to history and preservation and attend several 15-30 minute presentations conducted by the same organizations highlighting some aspects of historic preservation. The table displays will be open all day; a schedule of presentations will be released as the event date draws nearer. There is no admission charge and the public is invited.
Pizza Pioneers, Monday, April 6, 6:00 pm.
Odds are you remember where you were when you first learned of the Kennedy assassination or that Elvis (or Michael Jackson) had died. We recall our first car and our first love. But do you remember your first pizza? Pizza seems like it's been around forever, but it didn't make it to Council Bluffs until the 1950s and didn't gain real popularity until the late in 1960s. Join us at the Historical Society examines this slice of local history in a program at Pizza Counter, 610 Veterans Memorial Highway. Doors open at 5 pm, program at 6. There is no admission charge.
Fairview Cemetery History Hike, Thursday, May 7, 5:30 pm.
The headstones of Fairview Cemetery tell the names of some of Council Bluffs' earliest residents, which provide in interesting window into the past. Meet at the cemetery main entrance for this history hike, conducted by Troy Stolp. The program is cosponsored by the Council Bluffs Public Library; there is no admission charge.
The Beatles and the Bluffs, Monday, May 4, 6:30 pm.
John, Paul, George and Ringo may never have ventured into Council Bluffs, but their influence was very much felt here and on the music we listen to in the Metro. In this program Beatles historian Brian Mainwaring will talk about the music of the Beatles and their influence from 1965 on. The program will be at the Council Bluffs Public Library; there is no admission charge.
MEMBERS ONLY Events
These events and programs are free, but require a Historical Society of Pottawattamie County membership. If you aren't a member, please consider joining. An individual annual membership is just $20
(Membership includes admission to six museums and all special members-only activities and events).
Fairmount Park History Hike, Saturday, April 11, 10 am.
What’s been considered the crown jewel of the city’s park system got its start as a failed and fraudulent real estate venture. Along the way it’s been home to tourist cabins, residential caves, a pair of antenna towers for Council Bluffs’ first radio station, a zoo, a carillon that entertained some and annoyed others, a pool, and a crazy sharp-angled cut through the bluffs that left a streetcar stranded.
We’ll explore this history in a leisurely one hour hike for Historical Society members, Saturday, April 11; meet at the picnic area near lookout point (KOIL point) at 10 am. The hike will be conducted by Richard Warner; there is no charge.
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