Iowa Museums

Kate Shelley Railroad Museum and Park

Restored depot where visitors learn the dramatic story of 15-year-old Kate Shelley'

Madrid Historical Society Museum

Keigley Doll Collection includes more than 1,000

Hickory Grove Rural School Museum

Constructed in 1889, this one-room school served residents until 1956. See the original double desks, stage curtain, potbelly stove, textbooks and documents throughout the school.

Adel Historical Museum

1857 brick building served as Adel's original schoolhouse. Features period room settings, photographs and memorabilia.

Forest Park Museum

Museum presents the continuing history of Dallas County. Arboretum features a collection of trees from all parts of the country.

Bob Feller Museum

Wide range of memorabilia from Feller'

Greene County Historical Society Museum

Jefferson Telephone Company Museum

One of the few telephone museums in America, it features many early telephone and switching displays.

Kellogg Historical Museum

The Kellogg Historical Museum complex includes agricultural building, factory/

International Wrestling Institute and Museum

Museum features Olympic, collegiate and pro wrestling history. Displays on famous athletes include Iowa'

Jasper County Historical Museum

The history of Jasper County is depicted by a 40-foot bas relief mural. Exhibits include washing machine display, Maytag memorabilia, displays from four Newton-based companies, 150

Marshall County Historical Museum

View interpretive exhibits on Marshall County history, from the prehistoric to the present.

Watson's Grocery Store Museum

Watson's Grocery Store Museum, built in 1895 and continuously operated until the mid 1980'

Ankeny Area Historical Society Museum

Two museums house artifacts from the Ankeny area, including military items, several period rooms, a school room with historical items from Ankeny schools, and a nurses'

State Historical Building

In a modern glass and granite building, discover an exciting hands-on approach to exploring Iowa'

Iowa Gold Star Military Museum

Learn about Iowa military history from 1846 to the present. See uniforms, flags, trench art, small arms, artillery, UH-1 "Huey" helicopter, AH-63 "Cobra,"

Big Creek Historical Museum

Displays and artifacts depicting the rich history of the Big Creek area. Located in historic city hall building built in 1863 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Brunnier Art Museum

Art exhibitions; glass, ceramics and art from eastern and western cultures; gallery talks; children's programs.

Farm House Museum

Built in the 1860s as the first building at Iowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm. More than 6,000 pieces of Victorian decorative art and antique furnishings.

Community Historical Society Museum

Tama County Historical Museum

Former jail, built in 1870. American Indian and pioneer artifacts and extensive genealogical library, 1800s Bohemian cabin.

Traer Historical Museum

Located in a former general store, with school and military exhibits, annual quilt show, cemetery walk. Learn about Tama Jim Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture from 1897-1913.

Clinton County Historical Society Museum

Learn the story of early Mississippi-area settlers and the local lumber business. Period furniture and rare manually-powered fire engine.

Delmar Depot Museum

Railroad artifacts and changing displays.

Tri-County Historical Society Museum

Exhibit features Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Urban "Red" Faber. One-room school, narrow gauge railroad car, bell collection, artifacts and archives from Dubuque, Jones and Jackson counties.

Dubuque Museum of Art

Changing exhibitions of national, regional and local art.

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Dyer-Botsford Victorian House & Doll Museum

Tour this 1850 Victorian home, decorated circa 1870-1900. Doll museum has more than 1000 dolls. Also see hand-carved miniature circus, replica of 1850

National Farm Toy Museum

Newly-expanded museum has two floors with 30,000 farm toys and trucks on display. Diorama illustrates the history and importance of agriculture. Theater offers 10-minute movie.

Heritage House Museum

This 23-room 1856

Young Historical Museum

Century-old residence built of native limestone has 10 rooms and is furnished with fine antiques and turn-of-the-century items. It features a fine collection of china and Parian ware.

Jackson County Historical Society Museum

Over 22,000

Anamosa Penitentiary Museum

Historic stone building on the prison grounds displays artifacts and historical information about Iowa's largest correctional facility.

National Motorcycle Museum

More than 180 rare and vintage motorcycles dating back to 1903 on display, along with thousands of photos and motorcycle memorabilia. Home of the original Captain America bike from the 1969 movie "

Edinburgh "Ghost Town" and Museum

The original site of the first county seat of Jones County from 1840-1847 includes 12

Wyoming Historical Museum

The renovated Hotel Williams, built in 1874

Family Museum

Hands-on museum with interactive exhibits for children and families. Touch a tornado; make a cloud ring;

Figge Art Museum

German American Heritage Center

Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science/IMAX Theatre

Permanent exhibits feature Mississippi River history and natural environments of the region as well as worldwide cultures. Changing exhibits, museum store, and 3D IMAX Theater.

Buffalo Bill Museum/The Lone Star Steamer

Tribute to legendary native "Buffalo Bill" Cody, as well as a memorial to American Indians, pioneers, and steamboat days. View the "Lone Star Steamer, "

Dan Nagle Walnut Grove Pioneer Village

Walnut Grove was an 1860s settlement and stagecoach stop, and now includes 18

Amana Community Church Museum

The Amana Community Church building in Homestead was built in 1865. Hosts guide the visitor through the church, explaining Amana's religious heritage, practices and beliefs.

Amana Heritage Museum

Three buildings of exhibits portray the story of the Amana Colonies, including religious history and communal life. Video presentation on history gives excellent background of community.

Communal Agriculture Museum

Exhibits of tools, artifacts and photographs depict the role of agriculture in communal Amana. Located in a restored 1860 barn.

Communal Kitchen and Cooper Shop Museum

Authentic Amana communal kitchen house, including kitchen area and dining room, preserved as it was when the communal system ended in 1932

Homestead Store Museum

Exhibits on commerce, architecture, communal-era crafts, and the store's role in the Amana community. Tour the museum's "open storage" areas.

Industrial Machine Shop Museum

The Industrial Machine Shop Museum dates back to 1860

Pioneer Heritage Museum and Historical Resource Library

View 1861 log house, 1856 cabin, 1930 filling station and 1861 Rock Island depot in a museum complex covering half a city block. Large resource library for family histories and Iowa County history.

South Amana Barn Museum

Two-story horse barn contains 200 miniature replicas built by woodworker Henry Moore, depicting the history of rural America and built to a scale of 1" = 1'.

1876 Coralville Schoolhouse Museum

Restored 1876 schoolhouse contains interactive exhibits, hands-on activities for children. Group tour programs with costumed interpreter by appointment.

The Iowa Children's Museum

Explore 28,000

Museum of Art

One of the country's most important collections of African art serves as the museum's centerpiece. Visitors can also view traveling exhibitions and selections from the museum'

Museum of Natural History

Three major galleries focus on natural science and natural history of Iowa and the Midwest. Newly remodeled Hageboeck Hall features more than 1,000

Old Capitol Museum

National historic landmark, located on the University of Iowa Pentacrest, restored to reflect the years it served as the last capitol of the Iowa Territory (1842-1846) and as the first state capitol (

Lone Tree Historical Museum

Two-story home features country kitchen, country store, barbershop, antiques and farm equipment. Handmade miniature 1900s farm scene created by Reid Ford.

African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa

This 17,000 square-foot museum features the permanent exhibit "Doorways: A History of Iowa's African Americans." The exhibit explores Africa'

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

The world's largest collection of works by Regionalist artist and Cedar Rapids native Grant Wood. Changing selection from the museum's 5,200

Czech Village

Step into an Old World atmosphere along the Cedar River at the bridge of the lions. Visit an interesting variety of ethnic, gift and specialty shops, bakeries and restaurants. See the National Czech &

Duffy's Collectible Cars

See 75 fully restored cars from the 1930s-1970s -- hardtops and convertibles. Gas pumps and memorabilia such as phone booths, wall murals and 1950

Iowa Masonic Library and Museum

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

The nation's foremost institution interpreting Czech and Slovak history and culture, officially dedicated in 1995

Seminole Valley Farm Museum

Seminole Valley Farm Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a 1900 farm with farmhouse, outbuildings, and exhibits.

The Carl and Mary Koehler History Center

Permanent and changing exhibits, including "Living Along the Tributaries"

Ushers Ferry Historic Village

Take a step back in time to a small turn-of-the-century Iowa town at Ushers Ferry Historic Village. Located on a beautiful 10-acre site in Seminole Valley Park in northeast Cedar Rapids. More than 30

Marion Heritage Center

Pearl Button Museum/Muscatine History & Industry Center

Museum showcases machinery and memorabilia illustrating the button-making process. The History &

Kalona Historical Village

Gathered around the old wooden two-story depot and representing Kalona'

Mennonite Museum and Archives

Museum and archives devoted to early Amish and Mennonite cultures and lifestyles, including genealogy books and research materials. Located within the Kalona Historical Village

Conger House Museum

Home built in 1847 features late-1800

Charles H. MacNider Museum

Tudor-style mansion with contemporary additions overlooks Willow Creek and features permanent collection of 19th and 20

Kinney Pioneer Museum

View fossils, dolls, ladies'

Floyd County Historical Society Museum

Visit original turn-of-the-century drugstore and restored 1852

Franklin County Historical Museum

Furnished parlor and bedroom from 1900-1930s era, period kitchen displays, military room with artifacts from many wars. 4H/

Latimer Historical Museum

Historical displays and pictures, military items, vintage toys, fire equipment.

Beaman Heritage Center

Conrad Heritage Hall

Local history museum.

Grundy County Museum

Natural history exhibits include more than 250

Armstrong House

The Hancock County Historical Society Museum is a beautiful mid-Victorian house built in 1896 that preserves the heritage of northern Iowa with antiques and replicas of rural setting.

Hobo Museum & Hobo Gift Shop

The only hobo museum in existence is an intricate weaving of hobo history, railroad memorabilia and the National Hobo convention, which Britt has hosted since 1900

Hancock County Agricultural Museum

Collection of restored farm equipment and machinery from the 1840s to 1950s. Two floors and more than 115 exhibits. Restroom facilities.

Ackley Heritage Center

Eldora Welcome Center and Railroad Museum

Hardin County Farm Museum

This 12-acre agriculture and household museum houses antique farm implements and machinery of the 1850s-1950s. Goose Creek country schoolhouse, built in 1882, is located on the farm.

Iowa Falls Historical Museum

Dow House Historical Museum

Renovated 1900

Mitchell County Historical Society Museum

Five fully functional antique steam engines: a Reeves 40-140 cross compound tractor, a 1913 Case model 110, a 1910 Phoenix caterpillar loghauler, a 1922 32-hp Advance-Rumley, and an 1878

Mitchell County Museum

Large collection of vintage clothing, American Indian artifacts, covered wagon, newspaper collection, Civil War artifacts, 1900s medical office.

Blanden Memorial Art Museum

The first art museum in Iowa, located in a parklike setting and featuring early 20th century American works and Oriental, African and European works. Hosts music, literary and arts events.

Fort Museum & Frontier Village

1862 military fort and frontier town with 12 original and replica buildings. Museum displays American Indian, pioneer and military artifacts. Relive the area's history at Frontier Days in early June.<

Gowrie Depot Historical Museum

Collection of photos, clothing and other memorabilia that represents the evolution of community life in Gowrie. Housed in original train depot.

The Mansion Museum

Historic home houses artifacts of Winnebago County history, including vintage clothing, antiques, farm tools, and a collection of Governor Terry E. Branstad's mementoes.

Country School Museum

Rural country school used from 1936 to 1954 contains authentic furnishings and books.

Worth County Historical Society Museum

Museum complex includes 1880 Italianate building, 1874 country school, Creamery museum, Hanlontown Bank Museum, Kensett Community Church Museum.

Jenison Meacham Memorial Art Center and Museum

Touring art exhibits, murals and artifacts depict life of area pioneers. See restored 1900s house, barn, schoolhouse, and "Andy's Maytag House."

Heartland Museum

Heartland Museum houses area treasures, the Wright County historical library, opera house meeting room, and a walk down Clarion streets from the 1900

Museum of River History

Displays highlighting river history in Lansing from commercial fishing to clamming. Iowa state fish hatchery, ice harvesting, button industry and early days of Lansing.

Allamakee County Historical Museum and Genealogy Research Center

Built in 1860, the old courtroom contains the original judge'

The Horridge House

The original Carpenter Gothic-style house was built around 1868

Ice House Museum

Exhibit shows how ice was harvested from the Cedar River from the late 1800s to early 1900

University of Northern Iowa Museums

Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum/George Wyth House

Tour Italianate home built in 1863 and restored to elegant 1880 Victorian life. Carriage House Museum houses the Historical Society'

Antique Acres Campgrounds

Antique Acres, Founded in 1964

FFA Historical and Ag Museum

A visual history of our agricultural heritage and the role of small communities in rural America. Antique farm implements, tools, turn-of-the-century artifacts.

Bluedorn Science Imaginarium - Grout Museum District

A "playground for the imagination," this science center provides fun hands-on exhibits that demonstrate how science affects everyday life. Unravel the mysteries of motion with scientific experiments:

Grout Museum of History & Science - Grout Museum District

History collection focuses on the period from 1933, when Iowa was opened for settlement, to the present. The Maytag Car, 1915

Rensselaer Russell House Museum - Grout Museum District

This small jewel of mid-Victorian architecture, completed in 1861

Schield International Museum

See artifacts collected by Vern and Marjorie Schield on trips to 70 countries. Also on display is the first Bantam dragline, designed and built by Schield in 1942

Bremer County Historical Society Museum

The Bremer County Historical Society Museum building was built in 1862 as the first large hotel and stagecoach stop in the area and is on the National Register of Historic Places

Old Bradford Pioneer Village

This pioneer village consists of 14 buildings from the area. View Dr. Pitts' office (composer of the song "Little Brown Church in the Vale")

Carnegie Cultural Center

Temporary and Permanent exhibits fill this old Carnegie Library building. Permanent exhibits include the Natvig Brothers Circus, life under the big top in models to scale; Billy J'