Iowa State University has a long and rich history. Founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Farm, it would be designated as the state's land-grant college in 1864. ISU from its beginning has been a leader in agricultural and mechanical (engineering), while also developing top programs in the sciences, journalism and landscape architecture. The university has been the birthplace of cooperative extension, the first digital computer, and played a key role in the Manhattan Project.
This guide provides a starting point for researchers looking into the history of Iowa State University. It contains lists of secondary sources as well as ways to access primary sources.