Chemistry has been taught at Iowa State since the first class of students arrived on campus. In January 1869, Albert E. Foote was hired to teach chemistry classes and to develop a Department of Chemistry. The department was formally established in 1871, at which time Foote was promoted to Professor and Head of the Department. In 1891, an Agricultural Chemistry Department was established. This department existed until 1903, when instruction in Agricultural Chemistry was transferred to the Chemistry Department. Since then, all chemistry courses have been taught through the Chemistry Department.

Chemistry classes, along with all other courses, were originally taught in Old Main. Immediately in need of additional laboratory space, a small brick building, the Chemical and Physical Laboratory, was added to the campus in 1871. This building was expanded several times, but was ultimately destroyed by fire in 1913. Funds for a new Chemistry Hall were promptly appropriated by the state legislature and the building opened for classes in 1914. This building was eventually named after Distinguished Professor Henry Gilman. The addition of Hach Hall in 2010 allowed the Department of Chemistry to once again expand and improve classroom and laboratory space.

Department Chairs:

The collection (2011-2012) contains oral history interviews of faculty from the Iowa State University Department of Chemistry. Current and retired faculty members were interviewed by two individuals: Michael Qiu, a senior in chemistry enrolled in the Honors Program, and Patricia Thiel, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. Qiu conducted his interviews as a component of his senior honors project.

The Chemistry Department faculty members that were interviewed discuss a variety of topics associated with their careers. They tell about the path that led them to Iowa State, the changes in teaching technology during their career, and the research they were associated with.

Records available in the University Archives related to the Department of Chemistry can be found under Record Series 13/6.

The collection is listed alphabetically.