Engage with History
Special Exhibition
The Rosenthals: The Show Must Go On!
February 15-December 20, 2024
Vaudeville! Before radio, TV, YouTube and TikTok, entertainers crisscrossed the United States via railroad and by Model T, bringing music, laughs and sometimes outlandish acts to stages in towns and cities of all sizes. Cedar Falls hosted vaudevillians in its theatres, but Cedar Falls was also home to the nationally known Vaudeville couple: Lew and Mabel Rosenthal. Lew and Mabel worked under the name of “Rose & Severns” and played venues from coast to coast and into Canada. Their home on Grand Blvd. was always open to their fellow vaudevillians, whether for a day or two, or longer for those down on their luck. Learn about this fascinating couple and their work and life together, in our featured exhibit for 2024.
Our annual exhibitions are located in the
Victorian House Museum
308 W 3rd St, Cedar Falls
Hours: Open February-December
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Sunday, 1:00-4:00pm
2024 Programs and Events
Download a PDF of our programs and important dates for 2024 here.
Volunteer Open HouseApril 25, 2024, 10:00am-4:00pm, Victorian House
Join us any time between 10:00 and 4:00 on April 25 to enjoy refreshments and celebrate the hard work of our many volunteers over the last year.
The Opera House: The Community's StageMay 19, 2024, 2:00pm, Victorian House classroom
George Glenn, coauthor of The Opera Houses of Iowa, will speak on the opera houses in Cedar Falls. When were they built and how many did we have? How were they used and who performed there? Why were they important? Free.
Sturgis Falls WeekendJune 28-30, 2024
Victorian House Museum: Open Friday, June 30 from 10:00am-4:00pm; Saturday, June 29 from 1:00-5:00pm; and Sunday, June 30 from 1:00-5:00pm. The Lenoir train layout will be running on Saturday and Sunday!
Little Red Schoolhouse: Open Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 from 1:00-5:00pm.
Ice House Museum: Open Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 from 1:00-5:00pm. Free admission thanks to our sponsors:
Family Story Time: The Song and Dance ManJuly 13, 2024, 10:00am, Victorian House classroom
Join Programming & Outreach Coordinator, Diane Schupbach, for our annual Family Story Time. Listen to The Song and Dance Man, learn a silly song, do a scavenger hunt in our exhibit room, and make some fun crafts. Free.
The Parlor Series: Victorian Toys & Appraisal TipsAugust 25, 2024, 2:00pm, Location T.B.D.
Rich Penn will talk about how to evaluate toys for condition and authenticity with an emphasis on Victorian toys. This program is part of our new Victorian Parlor Series. Free.
A Warbler and a Yodeler: Lew Rosenthal's music September 7, 2024, 2:00pm, Victorian House classroom
Music was an important part of most Vaudeville performances. Learn from Kay Rewerts about the music that Lew and Mabel Rosenthal used in their skits - music that Lew wrote, played, and sang. Free.
Cemetery WalkSeptember 29, 2024, 2:00pm, Greenwood Cemetery, 404 N College St
Gather at Greenwood Cemetery to learn about Lew and Mabel Rosenthal and enjoy a staged reading of their popular Vaudeville skit, "The Automobile Disaster." Rain or shine. Suggested donation $5.
The Parlor Series: Autumnal High TeaOctober 26, 2024, 2:00-4:00pm, 315 Clay St. classroom
Learn about Victorian tea etiquette and enjoy a sumptuous high tea catered by Moment in Thyme. This program is part of our new Victorian Parlor Series and is a fundraiser for the Historical Society. Registration required (must be 13 years and older). $40.
It's Not Just a Magic Show, It's an Experience!November 17, 2024, 2:00pm, 315 Clay St. classroom
Eric Michaels has been performing magic since he was a child. Now 21 years later, his show is jam-packed with puzzling magic, audience participation, comedy, live animals, and his beautiful assistant! Bring the family and see what everyone is talking about! Registration required. $5 (2 years and under - free).
Virtual Programs
From Our Victorian House Kitchen: Biscuits
Join Sloan Alberhasky for this virtual program as she demonstrates how to make egg biscuits with rosemary from our Victorian House kitchen.
From Our Victorian House Kitchen: Salads
Join Sloan Alberhasky for this virtual program as she demonstrates how to make two fresh salads from our Victorian House kitchen.
Where Does the Fish Fork Go? A look at sterling silver flatware
In this program, Kate Martin discusses flatware patterns for all tastes - plain and ornate - and how Victorian era sensibilities led to the introduction of pieces such as asparagus tongs, grape scissors, the bread fork, the marrow spoon, and more.
From Our Victorian House Kitchen: Dessert
Join Sloan Alberhasky for this virtual program as she demonstrates how to make a comforting and easy apple dessert from our Victorian House kitchen.
Virtual Exhibition Opening
Enjoy a peek at the 2021 exhibit, Art & Heirloom: Quilts of the Cedar Falls Historical Society.
Cabinets of Curiosity: Rolling Pins and Baking Things
In this program, local Quester, Marcy Hartleip, discusses her collection of cookie cutters and rolling pins. Also, stop by the Victorian House to see a display of these items in our Spring Cabinets of Curiosity exhibit from April-June.
What Do I Do with Grandma’s Quilt?
Join local quilter, Karan Flanscha, for a helpful talk about how to care for, display, store, repair, and restore antique quilts. Learn about light damage, and how folding quilts correctly can extend the life of a treasured heirloom.
Finding Fabulous Fabric
In this presentation, local quilter, Janet O’Neil, explains how to select a color palette and appropriate fabric for a visually stunning quilt.
Looking at Log Cabin Quilts: A bed-turning presentation
Local quilters, Aleta Anderson and Chris Lorenz present a “bed-turning” program featuring a lovely selection of Log Cabin quilts. Learn about the history of this familiar pattern, and see how the use of different fabrics and colors creates a variety of quilts from the same pattern.
Family Story Hour: A Quilt by Any Other Name
Join our Education Coordinator, Diane Schupbach, for our annual Family Story Hour. Listen to tales of quilts and quilt makers, hear about the history of quilting, learn a new song, and make some fun “quilty” crafts. Find more quilt activities here.
Cabinets of Curiosity: Stick A Pin in It! Pincushions, Thimbles & More
Local needlewoman Sheri Lesh talks about her own collections of pincushions and thimbles in this Cabinets of Curiosity program.
Crazy for Crazy Quilts
This program is a two-for-one special! Local quilter, Sharon Walker, talks about crazy quilts, especially one from her personal collection made by her husband’s grandmother. Then watch a fascinating piece called “Crazy Quilts and Mad Women” created by Sara Walcott at the International Quilt Museum to learn more about how crazy quilts were a uniquely female endeavor.
Painted Patchwork: Barn Quilts
This presentation showcases some amazing barn quilts, and tells more about the history of this truly American art form. Maps showing the location of barn quilts in Black Hawk and nearby counties are available for “self-drive” tours.
Cabinets of Curiosity: Gurley (no, not THAT kind of girly) Candles
This Cabinets of Curiosity program, presented by Chris Lorenz, accompanies a display of festive Gurley candles in the Victorian House through December 17, 2021.
Quilted Christmas Ornament Workshop
Learn how to make a quilted Christmas ornament during this hands-on workshop. Kits will be available for purchase in the Historical Society gift shop starting November 2 through December 17, 2021 for $5.
Family Story Hour: Let's Take a Vote!
Visit our Facebook page to follow along at home as our education coordinator, Diane Schupbach, reads stories and rhymes, learn about the fight for women's suffrage, and celebrate the 100th anniversary of this important achievement!
Unlacing the Corset: Fashion and Freedom
Learn about the restrictions of mid-1800s dress and the shocking changes precipitated by suffragists.
Picturing the Arguments Against Woman Suffrage
Dr. Cate Palczewski talks about cartoon postcards opposing suffrage for women at the height of the suffrage movement. This lecture, richly illustrated with examples from postcards from 1900-1919, explores the visual arguments against woman suffrage and notes the way similar images appear in contemporary media.
Standing Up to be Counted
Judith Harrington, Professor Emerita, University of Northern Iowa, talks about the class-action lawsuit, Harrington et al. vs. the University of Northern Iowa, the State Board of Regents, and the State of Iowa, she and fellow women faculty filed in the 1970s because of salary inequities on the basis of gender.
Buttons: Functional and Ornamental
During this Cabinets of Curiosity virtual program, hear all about the history of buttons, and make a adorable button ornament at home. Presented by Dianne Peterson and Jan Hankins . Download the craft instructions here.
