History

Coming home to Iowa City since 1912

Since Nov. 23, 1912, Homecoming has evolved to bring Hawkeyes together from across the country and around the globe.

The Homecoming Council, a student-run organization made up of sixteen members, coordinates the events of Homecoming week. The council works year-round to prepare for the celebration.

Special Collections and Archives at the University of Iowa is maintains physical and digital archives of documents, artifacts, photos, and more. Below is a UI Homecoming-themed special collection curated by the department:

artifacts from UI special collections

100 Years of Homecoming

Enjoy learning a few highlights of the UI's century-old homecoming tradition. David McCartney, university archivist, recounts some stories, drawing from holdings in the Department of Special Collections and University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries. David also shows the short film "The Fame of the Black and Gold" which features historical footage and highlights of 14 early Hawkeye football games of the 20s, 30s, and 40s.

Images from the past

Cheerleader holding a pin near hawk during Homecoming festivities

Homecoming parade float, The University of Iowa, 1940

Homecoming corn monument, The University of Iowa, 1986-1987

Iowa-Minnesota homecoming football gameOctober 27, 1928

Herky getting homecoming pin, The University of Iowa, November 3, 1956

Iowa-Minnesota homecoming football game at Iowa Field

Football game attendees outside Iowa Stadium, The University of Iowa, 1940s

Homecoming monument, The University of Iowa, 1958

Homecoming button archive

Browse the designs of the Homecoming Button from years' past (1924 - Present)

Homecoming buttons are traditionally made each year and have become collector’s items for Hawkeye enthusiasts around the world! Check out the collection of buttons housed in the lobby of the Iowa House Hotel in the Iowa Memorial Union and in our virtual archive.

Browse the archive