Learn about early settlement and battles as well as bicycle races and the movie industry in this museum in Iowa’s state capital.
Located in America’s heartland, the State Historical Society of Iowa Museum in Des Moines has three floors of exhibits full of information that astound and captivate.
See a Conestoga wagon that was a familiar sight carrying settlers moving west and a wickiup, which was a style of house for Native Americans.
Enter a coalmine to learn how Iowans harvested this resource that powered the Industrial Revolution’s machinery. Discover folklore and traditions of the Native Americans, who lived in harmony with nature.
Relive a day in the life of Iowan soldiers who fought for the Union in the Civil War and view artifacts such as the Napoleon cannon, an important armament of their battles.
Learn about the important role Iowa has played in Hollywood movies since the early 1900s and see props used in films made in the state, such as The Music Man and the more recent Field of Dreams and The Bridges of Madison County.
Ride along with cyclists who tour and race through Iowa’s farm-dotted countryside. The oldest and largest ride across the state, the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI, takes place here.
Bring the family to an interactive exhibit where children up to 10 years old can have fun learning about Iowan history with adult supervision.
Enjoy a snack or lunch on the museum’s top floor at its café and patio deck, which provides magnificent views of the downtown core and the State Capitol Building next door.
The museum has free admission and is open every day except Sundays and certain holidays. Park for free in the nearby State Capitol Complex Parking Garage alternatively use the available street meters.
Discover Iowa’s blend of history, culture and the arts at the State Historical Society of Iowa Museum. The site is accessible for those with disabilities.
