When the College of Law was founded in Des Moines in 1865, its founders came to the western frontier eager to educate Iowa’s first generation of lawyers.
The exhibit, Iowa Law: The Oldest Law School West of the Mississippi, is open until Aug. 2 in the Old Capitol Museum.
Three years later, it moved to Iowa City and became a part of the University of Iowa.
Now, as the college celebrates its sesquicentennial, Iowa law continues to build on the vision of its founders by producing versatile graduates who serve their communities and further the profession by advancing society's understanding of the law.
From graduating its first female, black, and international law students in the 1800s to establishing one of the oldest student-edited legal journals in the nation and building one of the largest academic law libraries in the country, Iowa law has long been a leader in diversity and legal education.
To commemorate its 150th anniversary, Iowa law curated an exhibit titled "Iowa Law: The Oldest Law School West of the Mississippi," currently on display at the Old Capitol Museum. The exhibit follows the law school through its three homes on the UI campus, several famous firsts, and an evolution of legal curriculum.
More information about Iowa law's history and milestones can be found on the Iowa law website; the sesquicentennial page has details on upcoming events.