Chew on This: From Suffrage to Stacks: Women Powering Public Education
Tuesday, Nov 10, 2026 6:00 PM
Cedar Rapids was one of the last major communities in Iowa to establish a public library. The effort was championed by the city's women, led by the determined Ada Van Vechten, who understood that access to knowledge could transform a community. This presentation blends local history, the women's suffrage movement, grassroots activism, and that fascinating moment in history when America's billionaires built libraries instead of rockets. It is the story of women who understood the power of books, ideas, and persistence, and who quietly changed the future of Cedar Rapids.
Join us for Chew on This After Dark, our evening edition featuring the same great history in a relaxed social setting. We'll provide light hors d'oeuvres, the bar will be open, and you'll have the perfect opportunity to enjoy local history with friends after work.
The History Center:
800 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Doors Open 5:30 p.m.
Program Starts at 6:00 p.m.
Admission $10 General Public, $8 Members
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