Award-Winning Author James Loewen to Visit Des Moines

James Loewen, award-winning author of American History, will visit Des Moines and hold a presentation for the public called The Most Important Era in American History You’ve Never Heard Of, and Why It’s Important Today. The event will be:

Saturday, Feb. 26
8:30 to 10 a.m.
Fort Des Moines Museum Chapel
75 East Army Post Road

Loewen, a former professor of race relations at the University of Vermont, has published several books, including Lies My Teacher Told Me, a retelling of American History which inspires teachers to get students to challenge, rather than memorize, their textbooks. He has been an expert witness in more than 50 civil rights, voting rights, and employment cases; and also is a Distinguished Lecturer for the Organization of American Historians.

Loewen’s visit is sponsored by the Des Moines Public Schools Teaching American History grant the district received in 2009. The grant is designed to improve student achievement through high-quality history instruction over a five-year period.

“The goal of the Teaching American History grant is to make history more relevant and engaging for our students, and Mr. Loewen’s presentation promises to be engaging for all who attend,” said Stefanie Rosenberg-Cortes, district coordinator for the Teaching American History grant.