Kevin Mason

Assistant Professor of History (Public History)

Kevin Mason
Location

Seerly Hall 322

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Kevin Mason

Assistant Professor of History (Public History)

 
Kevin Mason is a rural and environmental historian of the American Midwest, specializing in how human interaction with natural and built environments shapes societies over time. His work blends rigorous academic scholarship with public engagement, aiming to make history accessible through both traditional and innovative formats.
 
His first book, Retracing the Dragoon Trail in Iowa: Environmental Transformation along the Des Moines River, was published on Michigan State University Press in Spring 2026. He is also the creator of Notes on Iowa, a digital history initiative that invites audiences to explore Iowa’s past through video, public-facing essays, and archival imagery.
 
Deeply committed to public service, Mason has served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the State Historical Society of Iowa, on the Board of Directors for Humanities Iowa, and on the Board of Directors for Preservation Iowa. He also collaborates closely with museums and nonprofit organizations throughout the state to advance historical preservation and education.
 
At the University of Northern Iowa, Mason teaches courses in public history and American history. His teaching philosophy centers on student autonomy, critical inquiry, and creative expression. He is passionate about helping students develop strong research skills and a confident historical voice in both academic and public-facing contexts.
 
Education

PhD – Iowa State University

Teaching Interests

Public History; American History; Rural & Environmental History; Midwestern History; Indigenous History

Research Interests

Rural & Environmental History; Midwestern History; Indigenous History; History of Public Lands

Professional Accomplishments

Most recent publications include:

Mason, Kevin. Retracing the Dragoon Trail in Iowa: Environmental Transformation along the Des Moines River. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press. Featured on Iowa Public Radio's Talk of Iowa: https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk-of-iowa/2026-04-02/retracing-a-371-mile-expedition-and-the-history-of-our-landscape

Mason, Kevin. “River of Growth: Stephen Watts Kearny and the Missouri River Expeditions of 1819 & 1824.” In America’s Longest River: A Cultural and Environmental History of the Missouri River, edited by Jon K. Lauck. Sioux Falls, SD: Augustana University Center for Western Studies Press.

Mason, Kevin T. "Red Frontier: Iowa's Shift from Battleground to Republican Bastion." Middle West Review 11, no. 2 (2025): 395-400.

Additional Information

Mason resides in Waterloo, Iowa, with his partner Marissa.