documentaries

The Story of Us: A PBS American Portrait Special

The Story of Us: An Iowa PBS American Portrait Special

Mar 19, 2021
26 min
Iowans and others across the country share short stories about their lives in this extraordinary documentary.
The Whitehouse

Iowa Caucus History (Playlist)

Mar 17, 2021
55 min
This collection from Iowa Public Television’s Caucus Iowa: Journey to the Presidency documentary explores how Iowa became the political epicenter and first major electoral event for the United States presidential nomination process. Since 1972, the event has drawn increasing media attention and has become a test of candidates’ ability to attract and organize supporters. This political rite of...
Historic Buildings of Iowa: Cedar Rapids (Pledge Special)

Historic Buildings of Iowa: Cedar Rapids (Pledge Special)

Mar 2, 2021
1 hr 32 min
Historic Buildings of Iowa: Cedar Rapids takes viewers on a journey through the architecture, culture and history intertwined throughout the buildings in Iowa's City of Five Seasons. Through extensive indoor filming, aerial perspectives, and in-depth interviews, Iowa PBS presents a definitive look at multiple buildings in Iowa's second-largest city of Cedar Rapids. Featured structures include:...
Former First National Bank Designed by Louis Sullivan

Former First National Bank Designed by Louis Sullivan

Mar 2, 2021
2 min
The historic Louis Sullivan bank found along the Cedar River was built in the early 20th century before evolving into the Popoli Restaurante, with its future still unfolding in the 21st century.
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Mar 2, 2021
3 min
The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art houses the hometown work of an iconic American artist. Grant Wood’s legacy and workplace are embedded inside the structures still present in downtown Cedar Rapids.
National Czech and Slovak Museum

National Czech and Slovak Museum

Mar 2, 2021
1 min
The National Czech and Slovak museum chronicles rich immigrant heritage alongside the community’s Czech Village that embraces an ethos of struggle, determination and triumph.
Paramount Theatre

Paramount Theatre

Mar 2, 2021
2 min
The legendary Paramount Theatre has been rebuilt to its original glory even after it was ravaged by floodwaters. The downtown Cedar Rapids structure began as a 1920s showcase for traveling performers, then a grand movie theater before its rebirth as an ambassador for the arts.
Brucemore Mansion

Brucemore Mansion

Mar 2, 2021
1 min
Brucemore Mansion traces a multi-generational story alongside Iowa history including railroads, meatpacking, as well as steel and iron. The mansion rests among 26-acres of serenity and houses stories stretching from lions to love and modern day preservation.
Veterans Memorial Building

Veterans Memorial Building

Mar 2, 2021
3 min
Adorned with a golden flame, the Veterans Memorial Building is a towering icon. Resting on an island in the Cedar River, it's great hall is a gathering place for generations of veterans and citizens.
The Forgotten War: Iowans In Korea

The Forgotten War: Iowans In Korea

Jun 22, 2020
57 min
Between 1950 and 1953, nearly 1.8 million soldiers from 21 nations fought side-by-side in a combat zone smaller than the states of Iowa and Missouri combined. During the conflict, 33,000 Americans, including 508 Iowans, lost their lives. But there was more to the conflict than just numbers. Lives were changed forever. Some never recovered. Fighting ended in 1953 with a cease fire, and while a few...