This interactive exhibit engages audiences of all ages with a touch screen to peruse historical and cultural information in all 99 Iowa counties. Information about Iowa’s historic sites and National Register of Historic Places is included, as well as information about where State Historical Museum artifacts originated. Located on the 2nd floor, just outside the exhibit galleries.
This interactive exhibit offers 25 questions about objects, documents and photographs in the State Historical Museum collection. It is targeted to people of all ages and will be available to teachers as a classroom resource via the Internet in the future. The exhibit will be updated and sustained indefinitely. Located on the 2nd floor, just outside the exhibit galleries.
The State Historical Museum of Iowa is celebrating its 120th anniversary. First opened in the basement of the Capitol in 1892, the Museum housed the State of Iowa’s collection which has grown to include nearly 100,000 artifacts. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the State Historical Building, which now houses the Museum, 25 artifacts were selected to showcase various types of donations included in the collection reflecting Iowa’s history.
This centerpiece of our atrium exhibits highlights Iowa's early prehistory and a fascinating discovery in downtown Des Moines. Visit the exhibit's online counterpart here.
This display highlights one of central Iowa’s best-known television puppets, Floppy, and memorabilia from his creator, Duane Ellett.
This small exhibit highlights some of the beautiful crystal formations found in Iowa coal mine dumps and quarry waste piles.
This display shows a variety of minerals found in the State Rock of Iowa.
