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.
It took 44,000 LEGOS to build this replica of Des Moines’ tallest building, 801 Grand. It was erected by children and LEGOS designer Francis Berger during the 1990 Iowa State Fair.
Also known as the “Two-Horse Jerkey” due to its rocking nature while traveling, this stagecoach serviced passengers between Red Oak and Chariton, Iowa, from 1867-1870.
See a 12-pounder “bronze Napolean,” an 8” sea coast mortar and a battle-scarred tree.
Brothers Fred and Augie Duesenberg built this car in Des Moines. With Duesenberg- designed two-cylinder engine, it could pump out 24 horses. When new, it sold for $1,250.
Profile of a local gymnast on her way to the Olympics.
When you filled your gas tank in the 1930s, a station attendant hand pumped 10 gallons of gasoline into the pump’s reservoir and filled the automobile by gravity. See this 1930s-era Red Crown Gasoline gas pump, restored to its original luster by The Early Wheels of Iowa Automobile Club.
See automobiles through history designed to be highly fuel efficient or powered by alternative energy. Includes the “Melburn Electric,” and “The Brooklands.”
“The Car That Never Drinks.” Purchased by William Steer at the 1901 Chicago Auto Show, this vehicle has no radiator.
This display highlights one of central Iowa’s best-known television puppets, Floppy, and memorabilia from his creator, Duane Ellett.
Senator William G. Haskill of Cedar Rapids purchased this used Locomobile runabout for $1,000 in 1899. Its gasoline-fueled burners boiled water, creating steam that powered the engine.
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.
Andrew Clemens, an artist from McGregor, Iowa, carefully separated sand grains into 42 colors, then dried them, ground them and used only the finest for his work. He moved the grains of sand into position with sharpened sticks. In time he made more elaborate sand paintings, eventually including names, dates and inscriptions.
Circus enthusiast Jacob Wagner (1864-1942) of Des Moines gathered together a large collection of miniature circus elephants and other wild animals. As founder and president of the Circus Fans Association of America, Wagner received many of these gifts from friends around the nation.