Adventure Pass Changes in 2025

Due to software issues affecting all libraries using the service, the Des Moines Public Library’s Iowa Adventure Pass program will no longer be available in 2025. Any reservation already made for 2025 will be honored, but we encourage anyone with a current reservation to print those passes immediately. Customers can make new reservations for passes that must be used by December 31, 2024. We hope to reintroduce the service at a later time, and we apologize for the inconvenience. 

Strange History: Colleges in Highland Park

Program Type:

Educational

Age Group:

Adults
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Registration for this event is no longer open.

Program Description

Event Details

Second and Euclid is the home of Park Fair Mall, but it was once the site of an interesting piece of Des Moines educational history. Highland Park College, Des Moines University, and the University of Lawsonomy once stood on this spot.

Lisa (Elm) Taber, a graduate of Drake University with a major in history, while researching information for a novel, came across David Wiggins' "The Fall of Old Des Moines U". There wasn't much online, so she has been blogging and collecting information about the college ever since. Lisa is a member of the Des Moines Historical Society. Join us as she shares her research on the histories of Highland Park College,  Des Moines University, and Alfred Lawson’s Des Moines University of Lawsonomy.

Disclaimer(s)

Indoor Program (2021)

This program is hosted indoors.  Please observe social distancing and follow local COVID-19 safety mandates. Hand sanitizer will be provided and staff will do their best to ensure any shared materials are disinfected between use. This program is subject to COVID-19 safety protocol updates, including room capacity limits. Please check our website for updates.