DES MOINES - The State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI), a division of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services (DAS), announced the departure of State Curator Leo Landis, who has served the organization with distinction as both State Curator and Museum Curator. Landis’ departure marks the end of a remarkable era in Iowa history preservation, during which he dedicated himself to promoting Iowa’s diverse history, preserving its material culture, and developing engaging exhibits that have impacted Iowans statewide.

“I want to thank Leo for his extraordinary contributions to Iowa’s history and his outstanding service to the State Historical Society of Iowa,” said Valerie Van Kooten, Administrator of the State Historical Society of Iowa. “Leo’s leadership and dedication to sharing Iowa’s past in meaningful ways have left a lasting legacy. We are grateful for his exceptional work and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

“Leo has been a vital force in shaping the way we connect Iowans to their history,” said Andrew Harrington, Exhibits Manager at the State Historical Museum of Iowa. “His passion, expertise, and ability to engage with communities have enriched the lives of countless Iowans. We congratulate him on a tenure full of remarkable accomplishments and wish him continued success in the next chapter of his professional journey at the Wisconsin Historical Society.”

Landis grew up in Clive, graduated from Dowling High School, then later completed his undergraduate education at Iowa State University, and graduate education at Eastern Illinois University and Iowa State University.

Landis’ tenure has been marked by significant accomplishments that have helped advance SHSI’s dual mission of preservation and education.

- Leadership in Collections and Exhibitions: Under Landis’s curatorial leadership, SHSI focused its collecting efforts and successfully acquired over 5,000 artifacts that represent the breadth of Iowa’s people, places, and cultures. These acquisitions have enriched the museum's collection and its ability to tell a broad range of Iowa stories.

- Curating Award-Winning Exhibitions: During his tenure, Landis curated 65 exhibitions, traveling displays, and artifact rotations. Notable exhibitions such as Riding Through History, First in the Nation: Shaping Presidential Politics Since 1972 and Iowa’s People & Places earned national recognition from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). 

- Statewide Expertise and Engagement: Landis has been a frequent speaker across Iowa, sharing his expertise on a wide range of historical topics. His work has made him a sought-after resource by local, national, and international media outlets.

- Innovating Accessibility: Demonstrating a commitment to making Iowa history accessible to all, Landis developed and launched touch tours for visitors who are blind or have low vision, in collaboration with the Iowa Council of the United Blind and SHSI colleagues. This initiative has opened the door to a deeper understanding of Iowa’s history for a wider audience.

- Founding Iowa History 101 Webinar Series: In 2020, Landis co-founded the Iowa History 101 webinar series with the SHSI Education team. This educational initiative has provided Iowans with over 60 programs, making Iowa’s history more accessible to people around the state and beyond.

- National Recognition in Public History: In 2021, Landis’ contributions to the field of museums and public history were recognized with his election to the AASLH Leadership Council, further cementing his reputation as a leader in the profession.

- Partnerships and Outreach: Throughout his career, Landis worked alongside numerous organizations to create valuable programming, including partnerships with the Iowa Juneteenth Observance, Des Moines Urban Experience, and the Iowa Council of the United Blind, among others.

“Leo’s work has made a significant impact on how Iowans engage with their state’s rich history, and his contributions will continue to be felt for many years to come,” said Van Kooten. “His vision, passion, and dedication to public history have set a high bar for all of us, and we will continue to build on the lasting impact of his work.”