NATIONAL CZECH & SLOVAK MUSEUM AND LIBRARY, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids. (319) 362-8500. NCSML.org. The National Collection: 50 Years of NCSML. Highlights from the collection are featured, including a rare fishscale kroj, a Warhol silkscreen, stunning garnet jewelry, and beautiful cut glass. Through January 12, 2025. Marj Nejdl: Master Folk Artist. The exhibit features Nejdl’s folk art: decorated eggs, a birdhouse, aprons, book illustrations, paintings, and Christmas ornaments. Through April 21.
VESTERHEIM, THE NATIONAL NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTER, Decorah. (563) 382-8828. Vesterheim.org. Vesterheim’s Main Building exhibits artifacts from 19th-century Norway, including a 25-foot wooden sailboat, an immigrant log house from 1853, displays of folk art, and more. Permanent. Herbjørn Gausta (1854–1924). Gausta is widely known for his church altar paintings and landscapes of southern Norway. He also captured scenes of the Midwest, painted portraits, and made satirical drawings. Through April 28. A New York Minute: City Scenes by Bernhard Berntsen. Through April 28 in the new Commons Gallery.
KALONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 715 D Ave., Kalona. (319) 656-3232. KalonaIowa.org. Explore the 19 buildings that make up Kalona Historic Village, two eye-popping Quilt Galleries and a Gem & Mineral Collection in the Kalona Historical Village Visitor Center, along with various displays of pioneer life. Permanent.
PUTNAM MUSEUM AND SCIENCE CENTER, 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport. Putnam.org. (563) 324-1933. Enjoy exhibits of science, history, and the natural world.
IOWA PENTACREST MUSEUMS, 11 Macbride Hall, Iowa City. PentacrestMuseums.uiowa.edu. Old Capital Museum, Hanson Gallery, 21 North Clinton St. (319) 335-0557. My Collections. This collaborative exhibition series invites the community to exhibit their personal collections. My Collections features two personal collections each fall and spring semester—both in-person at the Museum of Natural History and virtually. Permanent. Hard Won, Not Done: A Century’s Struggle (Virtual). The virtual rendition of the Hard Won, Not Done exhibition is now live. This exhibition explores suffragist history and artifacts, examining themes of intersectionality, movement fragmentation, achievements, and delays, while highlighting some movement heroes with a call from the past to use your vote today. Permanent. A River Flowed Through It: Iowa’s Legacy in Fluid Mechanics (Virtual). Permanent.
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA LIBRARIES MAIN GALLERY, 125 W. Washington St., Iowa City. Lib.uiowa.edu/gallery.
INDIAN CREEK NATURE CENTER, 5300 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids. IndianCreekNatureCenter.org. The Amazing Space building and campus provides discovery of the natural world. Relax in the Bird Room, explore at the interactive watershed table, see how much energy the solar panels are producing, or head out on the Scenic Trails for hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. Permanent.
BRUCEMORE MANSION, 2160 Linden Dr. SE. (319) 362-7375. Brucemore.org. Its preserved 26-acre estate and seven historic structures serve as a lens to the past. Ongoing.
AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF IOWA, temporarily exhibiting at Cedar Rapids Public Library, 3rd Floor Gallery. BlackIowa.org. CRLibrary.org.
IOWA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Coralville. TheICM.org. The museums features 14 interactive exhibits that inspire learning and play, including the AB … See Iowa! literacy and photography project; activities in the Art Studio; the City Music sonic creativity playroom; the Pizzeria Pie cafe, where calculation skills and geometry are put into practice; and The Blue Room, filled with giant Imagination Playground Blocks. The large-scale, multi-story Take Flight! exhibit immerses kids in the four forces of flight, featuring simulators built into kid-sized planes, a two-story slide, a real Cessna 150, and much more. Permanent.
GERMAN AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER & MUSEUM, 712 W. 2nd St., Davenport. (563) 322-8844. GAHC.org.
THE THEATRE MUSEUM OF REPERTOIRE AMERICANA. 405 E. Threshers Rd., Mount Pleasant. (319) 385-9432. This newly reimagined seasonal museum is dedicated to the preservation of memorabilia and artifacts of early repertoire theater. The collection includes painted curtains and scenic pieces; costumes and equipment; playbills, show cards, and advertising sheets; and an extensive research library of rare scripts, correspondence, production photos, and other original source materials. Of special interest is the large collection of videotaped interviews with actual “troupers” describing their professional and personal experiences. Wed.–Sat. Memorial Day through Labor Day, or by appointment.
NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM, 350 E. Third St., Port of Dubuque. (563) 557-9545. Explore historical, science, and conservation exhibits, and meet some amazing live animals, like the cownose ray, the North American river otter, the giant Pacific octopus, the epaulette shark, the corn snake, the giant gecko, and the tiger salamander. Permanent.
GROUT MUSEUM, 503 South St., Waterloo. (319) 234-6357. 503 South St., Waterloo. (319) 234-6357. View exhibits honoring Iowa veterans from the Civil War to the present. Step into their stories through traditional exhibits, over 35 interactives, and an electronic Wall of Honor. Interviews collected via the Voices of Iowa Oral History Project total over 1,500. Permanent. The Toybox: Generations of Play. Play with jumbo toy replicas inspired by Mr. Spud, Lite-Brite, and Sorry! Also watch old commercials and see toys—Cabbage Patch Kids, G.I. Joe, Hot Wheels, and Barbie—that will send you back to the playroom of your childhood. Through March 2024. Black Stories Collective. The Grout, in partnership with the NAACP and Experience Waterloo, recently established a community-based committee to collect and preserve Black oral histories. This regularly updated exhibit explores events and people in the Cedar Valley whose stories are largely unknown or untold. Permanent.
KALONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 715 D Ave., Kalona. (319) 656-3232. KalonaIowa.org. Explore the 19 buildings that make up Kalona Historic Village, plus quilt galleries, a gem & mineral collection, and 2023’s pioneer displays. A New World. Learn about how communication and transportation have evolved over the years. Native Americans and Early Pioneers. Explore the first people in our area through projectile points, writings, and pictures. Westward Expansion of the Railroad. The vision and efforts of early pioneers to the procure the railroad company business was vital to the birth of Kalona. Founding Families Exhibit. This year’s highlighted family is the Grady family, crucial to the establishment of Kalona. Through 2023.
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PERMANENT EXHIBITS
AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF IOWA, 55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. (319) 862-2101. Endless Possibilities. Trace Iowa’s African American history from its origins in Western Africa to the present. Also available as an interactive virtual tour. Permanent.
AMERICAN GOTHIC HOUSE & VISITOR’S CENTER, 300 American Gothic St., Eldon. AmericanGothicHouse.org. Learn about this iconic landmark and the beloved Iowa artist who made it famous. Open Wednesday–Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., subject to change.
ANTIQUE CAR MUSEUM OF IOWA, 200 E. 9th St., Coralville. (319) 354-3310, AntiqueCarMuseumofIowa.org. Over eighty automobiles dating from 1899 to 1995, as well as an original Skelly gas station and a collection of antique Iowa license plates. Permanent.
BLUEDORN SCIENCE IMAGINARIUM. West 3rd and Washington, Waterloo. (319) 233-8708. Pet a 12-foot python, fire an air cannon, create your own laser show, and more.
BRUCEMORE MANSION, 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids. (319) 362-7375. Named the 2020 Outstanding Attraction at the Iowa Tourism Conference, Brucemore preserves and shares a 26-acre estate and seven historic structures. The site’s story is a lens to the past and a reminder of the people, the events, and the drive that shaped the Cedar Rapids community.
DYER-BOTSFORD HOUSE & DOLL MUSEUM, 340 1st Ave. E., Dyersville. (563) 875-2504. Open by appointment through April. Antiques and artifacts make this restored Victorian house a memorable stop. The main exhibit, now showcasing over 2,000 dolls, began with a sizeable collection donated in the late 1980s by Mr. & Mrs. Charles Schemmel of Cascade. Other items of interest include antique furniture, vintage wedding dresses, a miniature hand-carved circus, a rare German feather Christmas tree, and items significant to the history of Dyersville. Permanent.
FAMILY MUSEUM, 2900 Learning Campus Dr., Bettendorf. (563) 344-4106.
GERMAN AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER & MUSEUM, 712 W. 2nd St., Davenport. (563) 322-8844. GAHC.org.
HEARST CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 304 W. Seerley Blvd., Cedar Falls. Heather.Skeens@cedarfalls.com.
THE HISTORY CENTER, Linn County Historical Society, 800 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. HistoryCenter.org.
INDIAN ARTIFACT MUSEUM, 21964 Hawk Dr., Bentonsport. Call Greef General Store (319) 592-3579. Features over 5,000 artifacts found by Tony Sanders since the age of 8. Inlays of 20 different types of wood create a beautiful backdrop, making this a one-of-a-kind stop. Open weekends, by chance, or by appointment. Free.
INDIAN CREEK NATURE CENTER, 5300 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids. IndianCreekNatureCenter.org. The Amazing Space building and campus provides exploration and discovery of the natural world. Relax in the Bird Room, explore at the interactive watershed table, see how much energy the solar panels are producing. Many trails are now repaired and open to the public. Permanent.
IOWA 80 TRUCKING MUSEUM, 505 Sterling Dr., Walcott. Iowa80TruckingMuseum.com. Featured exhibits include the 1919 Pierce Arrow, Cummins ISX Engine, NH-250 Cummins Cutaway, Knox 5th Wheel and Radiator, Bill Moon Tribute, and Hall Scott Engine, plus antique gas pumps, antique metal signs, and vintage toys. Permanent.
IOWA HEARTLAND HISTORY CONNECTION. Iowa Heartland History Connection, 700 Farm Credit Dr. IAHeartland.org. (641) 682-8676. This quaint historical society and museum features a wide collection of images of regional interest. Weds-Fri 10-4.
ISU TEXTILES AND CLOTHING MUSEUM, Mary Alice Gallery, 1015 Morrill Hall, 603 Morrill Rd., Ames. (515) 294-8552.
LIVING HISTORY FARMS, 11121 Hickman Rd., Urbandale. (515) 278-5286. Living History Farms is an interactive, 500-acre outdoor museum. Visit the 1700 Ioway Indian Farm, the 1850 Pioneer Farm, the 1900 Horse-Powered Farm, and the 1876 Town of Walnut Hill spread across 500 acres. Limited to 70 visitors per hour. Guests will be assigned a touring route and ticket time. Masks are encouraged and are available for purchase.
NATIONAL FARM TOY MUSEUM, 1110 16th Avenue Court SE, Dyersville. (563) 875-2727. Ertl 75th Anniversary. In 1945 an out-of-work journeyman molder named Fred Ertl, Sr. began making toy tractors in his basement from molten war surplus metals. Today the Ertl brand is known around the world for farm toys for kids of all ages. Check out a display celebrating 75 years of farm toys and the company that helped put Dyersville, Iowa, on the map. Permanent. Also visit 100 Years of John Deere Tractors.
NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM, 102 Chamber Dr., Anamosa. (319) 462-3925, NationalMCMuseum.org. Stunning interpretive exhibits showcase a fine collection of machines and historical objects from around the world. Engineers, racers, bike builders, and tuners as far back as the late 1800s built the groundwork for what motorcycling has become. Permanent.
OKOBOJI CLASSIC CARS. 810 Jeppeson Rd., West Okoboji. OkobojiCC.com. (712) 332-8029. Open for tours Wednesday–Sunday. Reminisce your heart out on this sparkling tour of picture-perfect classics, cruisers, and muscle cars displayed among scale-model functional buildings inspired by old photos of small-town America and designed by architect Paul Maurer and artist Jack Reece. Buy yourself a classic ride, view the restoration center, peruse the gift shop, and enjoy third-generation scrap metaler Toby Shine’s “hobby that got a little out of hand.” Permanent.
PUTNAM MUSEUM & SCIENCE CENTER, 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport. (563) 324-1933.
RICHARD L. PROENNEKE MUSEUM, Donnellson Public Library, 411 Main St., Donnellson. RichardProenneke.com. Visit a museum dedicated to American naturalist and adventurer Richard Proenneke (born in Primrose, Iowa, 1916). View artifacts, items, photos, and objects used or collected during the time Richard lived alone in a cabin he built by hand in Twin Lakes, Alaska. Permanent exhibit.
SALISBURY HOUSE, 4025 Tonawanda Dr., Des Moines. While the remarkable architecture at Salisbury House may be the first thing to draw in visitors, Salisbury is also home to important collections of rare books, fine art, decorative art, musical instruments, and more. Permanent exhibit.
SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA, 401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Des Moines. (515) 274-6868. Maker’s Studio. Experiment with circuits, create a stop-motion animation video, build, test a flying machine, and more. Permanent. Why the Sky? Travel through the cosmos, get up close with spacecraft, and more. Permenent. Brick by Brick. Discover your inner builder in this exhibit pairing giant LEGO-built structures with hands-on challenges. View 10 models constructed by LEGO Certified Professional Adam Reed Tucker. Permanent.
STATE HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF IOWA, Des Moines. (515) 281-5111. See a variety of exhibits, including the six-foot Rand McNally globe, mammoth bones, vintage aircraft, and more. Learn about life in Iowa before it became a state in You Gotta Know the Territory. Explore Iowa’s natural resources and the balance between using these resources and preserving them in Delicate Balance. Discover what inspired more than 76,000 Iowans to fight for the Union in Iowa and the Civil War. Explore Iowa’s legacy with the silver screen from the early 1900s to today in Hollywood in the Heartland. Discover the history of bicycling in Iowa and the story of RAGBRAI in Riding Through History. Permanent.
SULLIVAN BROTHERS IOWA VETERANS MUSEUM, 503 South St., Waterloo. (319) 234-6357. View exhibits honoring the service and sacrifice of all Iowa veterans from the Civil War to the present day. Step into their stories through traditional exhibits, over 35 interactives, and an electronic Wall of Honor. Interviews collected via the Voices of Iowa Oral History Project total over 1,500. Permanent exhibit.
SWEDISH AMERICAN MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 107 James Ave., Swedesburg. Facebook.com @SwedesburgSwedishAmericanMuseum. (319) 212-0187. This volunteer-run museum documents how and why Iowa’s Swedish American ancestors immigrated from Europe, how their culture supported their challenging quest, and why they made Swedesburg, Iowa, their home. Enjoy a documentary film, artifacts donated by local families, books on Swedish history, Swedish-themed treasures in the gift shop, and more.
THE THEATRE MUSEUM OF REPERTOIRE AMERICANA. 405 E. Threshers Rd., Mount Pleasant. (319) 385-9432. This newly reimagined seasonal museum is dedicated to the preservation of memorabilia and artifacts of early repertoire theater. The collection includes painted curtains and scenic pieces; costumes and equipment; playbills, show cards, and advertising sheets; and an extensive research library of rare scripts, correspondence, production photos, and other original source materials. Of special interest is the large collection of videotaped interviews with actual “troupers” describing their professional and personal experiences. Wed.–Sat. Memorial Day through Labor Day, or by appointment.
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA LIBRARIES, 100 Main Library, Iowa City. (319) 335-5299.
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA PENTACREST MUSEUMS, University of Iowa Campus, Iowa City. (319) 335-0480. For the second year in a row, the Museum of Natural History and the Old Capitol Museum were awarded the “Best Museum” and “Best Historic Building” CRANDIC Awards. At the Museum of Natural History, tour exhibits like the Iowa Hall, a 500-million-year adventure through geological, cultural, and ecological history; the William & Eleanor Hageboeck Hall of Birds; the Biosphere Discovery Hub, exploring the relationship between people and the natural environment, and more.
VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING, 101 First St. SE, Mays Island, Cedar Rapids. Cedar-Rapids.org. (319) 286-5050. Open by appointment. Grant Wood Memorial Window. Despite Grant’s having limited experience with the medium of stained glass, this 20′ x 24′ window is one of his most revered works and serves as an awe-inspiring memorial to Veterans. Permanent. In Flight: The Horsky Collection of Model Airplanes. Celebrate the public return of the 185 model airplanes previously displayed at Eastern Iowa Airport. Take an in-depth look at the life of master modeler Major Robert M. Horsky, United States Air Force veteran, born and raised in Cedar Rapids. Permanent.