Iowa is special. We know that. But, at times we forget why the Hawkeye State and its people are unique. This month is a prime time to recall one of our greatest accomplishments, which set our state apart from 49 others.
Starting in March 1939, Iowa farmers, college students and supporters provided a safe haven to 185 Jewish, political, intellectual and other religious refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe.
While other states took in individual refugees, nowhere else did so few take in so many – as part of a residential project that matched one American ‘host” to two people they deemed ‘guests.”
Living together around the clock, all the ‘hostelites” – those from the Old World as well from the New – learned valuable lessons that remained with them for the rest of their lives. Located east of West Branch at what…
