Small towns across the state came to a halt each winter to take in the mesmerizing game of girls six-on-six basketball. It was a sport that captivated thousands and sent scores sky-rocketing over the century mark, creating legends in the smallest of communities.
The University of Iowa Women’s Archives is celebrating the impact of six-on-six basketball in Iowa with a presentation Saturday, Sept. 15, at 1 pm at the Welcome Center at Thomas Jefferson Gardens in conjunction with the local Smithsonian Hometown Teams exhibit.
Iowa Women’s Archive curator Karen Mason and U of I American Studies lecturer Jennifer
Sterling, who have spent hundreds of hours researching and interviewing former players, will discuss the marvelous history of the sport and its wide-ranging reach across the entire country through “Six-on-six Girls’ Basketball in Iowa: Stories from the Iowa Women’s Archives and Beyond.”
The presentation will be followed by a chance for area residents to share their stories and memorabilia with researchers. The presenters will scan items to include in their archives.
The University of Iowa “Remembering Six-on-Six” exhibit is currently on display inside the
Greene County Historical Museum which is free and open to the public through Sept. 23.
The exhibit has also visited Mount Vernon, Ottumwa and Guthrie Center. It will be in Ames and then Conrad after it leaves Jefferson.
The operating hours of the Hometown Teams exhibit at the Greene County Historical Museum through Sept. 23 are Wednesdays from 1 to 6 pm; Thursdays from 3 to 9 pm; Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm; and Sundays from 12 to 6 pm.
Persons who want more information about the program can contact Peg Raney at Jefferson Matters: Main St at 110 W. Lincoln Way in Jefferson, 515-386-3585, or email director@jeffersonmatters.org
