Iowa

Iowa’s connections to the Baltic states include a significant Lithuanian-American historical legacy in Sioux City, cultural and academic links through the University of Iowa, and military cooperation supporting NATO security in Europe. Estonian heritage in Iowa is preserved through family traditions and personal connections to Estonian culture. The Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Iowa provides a religious and cultural gathering place for Latvian-Americans, particularly in the Des Moines area. Sioux City was historically an important center of Iowa’s Lithuanian- American life. St. Casimir Lithuanian Catholic Church, established in 1915, served the community for decades. Artwork and religious objects from the church, including works by Lithuanian American artists, are preserved at Trinity Heights in Sioux City.

The University of Iowa maintains resources for studying Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian through its Center for Language and Cultural Learning. The university has also hosted Baltic writers through its International Writing Program and participates in broader programs supporting the study of less commonly taught languages.

In July 2026, approximately 80 soldiers from the Iowa Army National Guard’s 734th Regional Support deployed to the Baltics and Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The unit supports NATO operations across Central Europe and the Baltic region, strengthening regional security.