Cowgirl Iowa
Call us: 641-210-2103
Museums
Ackley Heritage Center
Ackley, Iowa
History
N/A
www.ackleyheritagecenter.com/
Adair County Heritage Museum
Greenfield, Iowa
History
N/A
www.adaircountymuseum.com/
African American Museum of Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Culture, General, History, Library
Iowan history showcased via interactive exhibits and exciting educational programs. Because African American history is American history.
www.blackiowa.org/
Altoona Area Historical Society
Altoona, Iowa
History, Historical Society
www.altoonahistory.org
American Gothic House
Eldon, Iowa
Art, History
Famous as the backdrop of Grant Wood's 1930 painting, "American Gothic" Nice photo opportunity.
www.wapellocounty.org/americangothic/index.htm
American Gothic House Center
Eldon, Iowa
Art, History, Historic House, Specialized
Strike your own American Gothic pose in front of the house that inspired Iowa artist Grant Wood to begin his most famous painting. Costumes and pitch fork are provided by the American Gothic House Center!
www.americangothichouse.net
Anamosa State Penitentiary Museum Association
Anamosa, Iowa
History
The museum collects and preserves the history of the Anamosa State Penitentiary, and presents it to the public in a museum setting. Displays include information about current conditions as well as the history of this 135 year old prison that is Iowa's largest correctional facility. The museum is located in a prison building located adjacent to the prison. The museum building, and the entire prison, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
www.asphistory.com/museum
Boone County Historical Center
Boone, Iowa
History
Displays, dioramas and collections that preserve the flavor and excitement of Boone County History. View items relating the Kate Shelley, coal mining, military and natural history.
Bremer County Historical Society Museum
Waverly, Iowa
Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society
Please note new phone #. We now have a land line at our museum. We are not there every day during off season, but we check for messages every week or two.
www.bremercountyhistoricalsociety.org
Butler County Hall of Fame
Allison, Iowa
History
This building was built with the dome of the old courthouse (c.1915) and houses photographs and resumes of those in Butler County who have made a mark on humanity, either in the county, state, nation or world.
Butler County Museum
Allison, Iowa
History
This small museum is located on the county fairgrounds and houses a large variety of county artifacts.
Central Historical Museum
DeWitt, Iowa
History
Historical museum with genealogy.
Cherokee Area Archives
Cherokee, Iowa
History
N/A
Clinton County Historical Society and Museums
Clinton, Iowa
General, History, Historical Society
The purpose of the museum is to preserve and promote the history of Clinton County by interpreting historical artifacts for its residents and interested persons.
Correctionville Museum
Correctionville, Iowa
History
The Old Merchant State Bank houses many historical items, including items from band leader Norman E. Leo.
Courthouse Museum
Waukon, Iowa
History
Genealogy books, historical artifacts of local area, ancient Indian tools and clothing.
www.allamakeehistory.org/
tory
This museum is a historical 1848 60-foot Danish windmill from Denmark. Rebuilt in 1976 in Elk Horn by community volunteers.
www.danishwindmill.com
Des Moines County Historical Society: Garret-Phelps House
Burlington, Iowa
General, History, Historic House, Historical Society
Sitting proudly at the top of Snake Alley, the Garrett-Phelps House Museum in historic Burlington, Iowa, sheltered three generations of one family for over 100 years.
DMCHS.org
Des Moines County Historical Society: Heritage Center Museum
Burlington, Iowa
General, History, Historical Society
A museum featuring the history of Des Moines County, as well as a heritage center.
DMCHS.org
Dover Museum
New London, Iowa
History
Dover Museum houses displays and collections of artifacts and information of New London and surrounding area. "Bossy to Butter" display as the facility was once a creamery
Dows Welcome Center
Dows, Iowa
General, History, Historic House, Historical Society
Built in 1896, the depot was the first one built in Wright County and operated as a working depot until 1980. Passengers rode the trains to nearby towns and many commercial products were shipped by rail such as poultry, farm products, and coal. The Dows Historical Society raised enough money to purchase and restore the depot in 1988, and today it is known as The Dows Depot Welcome Center. It has been placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
www.dowsiowa.com/WelcomeCenter.html
Farm House Museum
Ames, Iowa
History, Historic House, University
Nestled in the center of Iowa State University, the Farm House Museum sits as a monument to early Iowa State history and culture. As the first building on campus as well as a National Historic Landmark, the Farm House was built in 1860 before campus was occupied by students or classrooms. The prairie landscape was bleak and desolate at the time, and those first farm tenants primed the land for agricultural experimentation.
www.museums.iastate.edu
Fayette County Historical Center
West Union, Iowa
History
This museum has extensive Fayette County genealogical and historical records.
Floyd County Museum
Charles City, Iowa
History
A county museum dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Floyd County history.
www.floydcountymuseum.org/
George M. Verity Riverboat Museum
Keokuk, Iowa
History, Historic House, Park, Specialized
Built in 1927 at Dubuque, Iowa by the U. S. Government, the S.S. Thorpe inaugurated barge service on the upper Mississippi . The first of four steamboats built for the revival of river transportation, it was the first to move barges from St. Louis north to St. Paul. It remained in service there until 1940, when it was sold to Armco Steel Corp. and put in service on the Ohio River. Armco renamed it the George M. Verity after their founder.
www.geomverity.org/
German American Heritage Center
Davenport, Iowa
Art, Culture, General, History, Library
A growing ethnic museum focusing on the German-American in the Midwest. Located in an historic immigrant hotel, this museum explores German American immigration to the United States on the impact these individuals and their descendents had on regional development.
www.gahc.org
Granger House Victorian Museum
Marion, Iowa
Culture, General, History, Historic House
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Granger House Museum is the only fully-restored, middle-class family home in southeastern Iowa. Occupied by a single family for nearly 100 years, the house contains many of its original furnishings and is arranged to reflect the lifestyle of a successful, late 19th-century middle-class family.
www.grangerhouse.org
Grout Museum of History & Science
Waterloo, Iowa
History, Science
The Grout Museum of History & Science's history collection focuses on the period from 1833, when Iowa was opened for settlement, to the present. The Maytag Car, 1915 Waterloo Boy, Rath Packing Company whistle and Pioneer Hall Mural help visitors envision and understand bygone eras. Planetarium shows are at 11:00am, 1:30 and 3:00pm on Saturdays.
www.groutmuseumdistrict.org
Hawkeye Log Cabin
Burlington, Iowa
General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Park
The Hawkeye Log Cabin Museum local high on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.
Heritage Museum
Coralville, Iowa
History
The Johnson County Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and telling the Johnson County story.
Historic General Dodge House
Council Bluffs, Iowa
History, Historic House
The home of Grenville M. Dodge, Civil War General and chief construction engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad, is fully furnished and contains many original Dodge artifacts. Superlative example of Victorian architecture and is a Registered National Historic Landmark
www.councilbluffsiowa.com
History Center
Red Oak, Iowa
History
A county historical museum and library with special collections of Thos. P. Murphy calendar items and restored 1884 barn and farm implements.
Iowa Gold Star Museum
Johnston, Iowa
History, Specialized
The museum interprets the history of Iowans in the military from 1846 to the present.
www.iowanationalguard.com/Museum/Museum.htm
Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum
Arnolds Park, Iowa
History, Specialized
Displays the unique nautical history of Lake Okoboji and the Iowa Great Lakes through a collection of wooden boats and memorabilia.
www.okobojimuseum.org
Iowa Historical Building
Des Moines, Iowa
History, Natural History
State History Museum and research library. Permanent and temporary exhibits explore Iowa's land and people.
www.state.ia.us/government/dca/shsi
Jasper County Historical Museum
Newton, Iowa
History, Historic House
The campus contains three buildings housing the artifacts related to Jasper County History including the Maytag exhibit.
www.jaspercountymuseum.com
John L. Lewis Mining & Labor Museum
Lucas, Iowa
History, Specialized
Photos, documents, artifacts all pertaining to coal mining, labor history and John L. Lewis who was a labor leader born 1 mile from Lucas, Iowa.
www.coalmininglabormuseum.com/
Liberty Hall Historic Center
Lamoni, Iowa
History
N/A
Loren D. Callendar Gallery
Sioux City, Iowa
History
Permanent photographic exhibition of Sioux City history and temporary exhibitions on a variety of Sioux City topics
www.sioux-city.org/museum
Luther College Archives
Decorah, Iowa
History
The Luther College archives holds primary source material of enduring value related to the college, its faculty, alumni and founding congregations. Over 1,800 linear feet of institutional records, personal papers, photographs, and other media are available for research projects, curricula development, and special events. The archives endowment fund provides additional support for special projects. The reading room is located on the third floor of Preus Library.
archives.luther.edu/
Luther College Ethnographic and Archaeological Collections
Decorah, Iowa
Anthropology, Archaeology, Culture, History, Library, University
Luther College is the home of five distinct collections which provide students and faculty with access to original materials for instructional and research purposes. Together, the Luther College Archives, Anthropology Collections, Fine Arts Collection, Geology Collection, and the Hoslett Museum of Natural History contain well over a million items, ranging from rare eggs to fine art, ancient fossils to arrowheads, and insects to college memorabilia.
www.luther.edu/anthropology/collections/
Marion Historical Museum
Marion, Iowa
History
N/A
www.marion-historical-society.org
Marshall County Museum
Marshalltown, Iowa
History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library
The Historical Society was formed in 1908 to provide a public link to Marshall County's past. It exists to collect, store, and preserve artifacts and documents that were used or manufactured in Marshall County. The Historical Society Museum building associated with the Society was opened to the public in 1987 at the current location in Marshalltown, Iowa. The museum displays the Society's collections that illustrate and interpret Marshall County's natural and human history.
www.marshallhistory.org
McCallum Museum and Brunson Heritage Home
Sibley, Iowa
History, Historic House, Historical Society
Mission is to protech Osceola County History. Major projects: 1) looking for Osceola County memorabilia, 2) Sibley High School memorabilia, 3) build an exhibit case to house WWII uniforms and memorabilia.
Mennonite Historical Society of Iowa
Kalona, Iowa
Church, History, Historical Society
N/A
Midwest Old Threshers Heritage Museums
Mount Pleasant, Iowa
History
Historical agriculture museum featuring traction steam engines, antique tractors, stationary steam and interpretive exhibits, steam trains & electric trolleys.
www.oldthreshers.org/
Mills County Historical Museum
Glenwood, Iowa
Archaeology, Culture, History, Historic House, Military
There are Five buildings to visit. The Main Museum which contains local historical artifacts. A Burlington Caboose. A machinery hall filled with tractors, cars, replicas of kitchens, a reproduction of an 1880 bathroom. A one room schoolhouse. A historic red barn of yesterday.
www.millscountymuseum.qwestoffice.net/
Mississippi River Museum
Dubuque, Iowa
History, Specialized
Mississippi and national river history, local history, National Rivers Hall of Fame, archives
Monona County Historical Complex
Onawa, Iowa
History
Home of the Eskimo Pie Dipping machine and other memorabilia. The Eskimo Pie originated in Onawa IA by Chris Nelson.
Montauk Historic Site
Clermont, Iowa
General, History, Historic House, Nature Centers, Park
Journey into the past at the home of Iowa's 12th governor, William Larrabee and Anna Larrabee, his wife. Enjoy a guided tour to see and hear how the Larrabee family furnished and maintained this 1874 vintage brick and natural limestone mansion for more than 100 years. All of the furnishings are original to the house. the State Historical Society of Iowa owns and preserves Montauk which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is designated as a State Preserve.
www.state.ia.us/government/dca/shsi
National Balloon Museum and US Ballooning Hall of Fame
Indianola, Iowa
History, Library, Science, Specialized
Come and surround yourself in history and the "Beginning of the Space Age" with Ballooning from 1783 to the present. Learn about many of the Pioneers of Ballooning from our Hall of Fame and Women in Ballooning displays. The Children' Learning Area will entertain and teach them about ballooning through simulated video games, videos , balloon pictures and books.Our collection covers gas,smoke and hot air balloons as well as airships, blimps and Zeppelins and their memoribilia.
www.nationalballoonmuseum.com
North Lee County Historical Society
Fort Madison, Iowa
Culture, General, History, Historical Society, Military
The Historic Center housed at the Santa Fe Railway Depot Complex is proud to boast a number of important regional, local, and railroad artifacts. Outside the depot sits a circa 1954 caboose, completely restored including brakemen seats, Conductor's desk, and folding seat/beds, of course the traditional cast iron stove remains in the old caboose, allowing visitors to picture the caboose crew warming their hands, coffee and cooking supper in the traditional way.
fortmadisonhistory.org
Old Bradford Pioneer Village
Nashua, Iowa
Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Military, Park
The Old Bradford Pioneer Village Museum has 13 buildings on its walking tour, including an original Great Western Depot and a Chicago Northwestern caboose. Dr. Pitts' medical office, two authentic log homes, General Store, Laundry, Blacksmith Shop, Agriculture Bldg, Heritage Bldg, Cottage, Jail, one room schoolhouse and toy shop. The Cottage is the only original building to the grounds. It was the home of the caretaker of the Little Brown Church, which sits adjacent to the museum property.
www.chickasawtrails.com
Ostfriesian Heritage Society
Grundy Center, Iowa
History
N/A
Parker Museum
Spencer, Iowa
History, Historic House, Historical Society
The Parker Historical Museum collects and preserves Clay County history in a 1916 Arts & Crafts architectural period house.
www.parkermuseum.org
Plymouth County Historical Museum
LeMars, Iowa
History
Historical museum preserving the past, present and future for the historical, ethnic, cultural and tourism values to LeMars and Plymouth County
Prairie City Historical Society
Prairie City, Iowa
General, History, Historical Society
Many artifacts from Prairie City's history are housed in the museum including the Dowden Potato Digger, which was originally manufactured in Prairie City.
Prairie Trails Museum of Wayne County
Corydon, Iowa
History
Over 24,000 midwestern artifacts are exhibited. Features an award-winning exhibition which tells the story of Wayne County from prairie days to the present and a large collection of farm implements and other items used in rural life from the 1850s to present.
www.prairietrailsmuseum.org/
Quasqueton Area Historical Society
Quasqueton, Iowa
History, Historic House, Historical Society
We are a local museum dedicated to preserving the history of Quasqueton, Iowa and the surrounding townships.
quaskyhistoricalsociety.com
River City Society for Historic Preservation
Mason City, Iowa
History
N/A
Ruth Suckow Memorial Association
Earlville, Iowa
History
N/A
www.ruthsuckow.org/
Salisbury House
Des Moines, Iowa
Art, History
The Salisbury House is a 42-room mansion modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England and authentic to the 16th century from its rafters and fireplaces to its furnishings, books, tapestries and art.
www.salisburyhouse.org
Sloan Museum
Sloan, Iowa
History
A complete history of Sloan, Iowa with many fine displays of artifacts, as well as a complete history of Westwood (Sloan School).
Swedish American Museum
Swedesburg, Iowa
Cemetery, Church, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Military
The Society created the Swedish American Museum to collect and catalogue artifacts of Swedish heritage and early immigrants of the Swedesburg area. The Museum is housed in The former Farmers union Exchange (FUE) building, built in 1928 by second generation Swedish Farmers. The FUE served Swedesburg and the surrounding area as a general store and Gathering place for the settlers in the area. The building is typical of stores which once dotted the Iowa countryside.
Swedish Heritage & Cultural Center
Stanton, Iowa
History
The museum portrays the history of the Swedish immigration to southwest Iowa and the Holland Settlement through exhibits, photos, artifacts, papers and video.
stantoniowa.com/community/cultural_center.htm
The Danish Immigrant Museum
Elkhorn, Iowa
Art, Culture, General, History, Library, Park, Specialized
The Danish Immigrant Museum will tell the story of the Danish immigrants and the Danish-American experience and is organized to collect, preserve, study and interpret their material, culture and traditions.
www.dkmuseum.org
The History Center
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
History, Historic House, Library
The Carl & Mary Koehler History Center is the historical heart of Linn County, Iowa. Permanent exhibits on the growth and development of the county, as well as temporary exhibits that focus on the historical significance of items in the museum's collection, bring history alive for visitors of all ages. The center is also home to an extensive historical archive/library where scholars, students, local government officials and geneologists can conduct research.
historycenter.org
The Fluxus Indian Museum
Coon Rapids, Iowa
Anthropology, Archaeology, Culture, History, Library, Natural History, Park
The museum represents 12 years of research and work by FLUXUS Midwest. The museum's current collection comprises more than 150 objects, relics and documents. This digital version of the FLUXUS INDIAN MUSEUM is part of the continuing effort to promote knowledge about the Fluxus Indians.
www.fluxus.org/museum/museum.htm
The Restored Burlington Northern Depot & WWII Memorial Museum
RED OAK, Iowa
Culture, History, Historical Society, Library, Military, Specialized
The architecture of the Depot is the Richardson Romanesque Style which influenced the first Chicago School of architecture and architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. That Style, named after Henry Hobson Richardson, generally follows Romanesque Revival Style, incorporating 11th century southern French and Spanish Romanesque characteristics, plus Richardson designs, which can be observed on the Depot.
www.depothill.net
The Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana
Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Culture, History, Specialized
Built and maintained by the Midwest old Settlers and Threshers Association, Inc., the Museum of Repertoire Americana officially opened September 1, 1973, reflecting the long-time dream of repertoire theatre company owners and actors Neil and Caroline Schaffner. The museum is dedicated to the preservation of memorabilia and artifacts of early repertoire theatre.
thetheatremuseum.com
Toolesboro Indian Mounds
Wapello, Iowa
History, Specialized
Several burial mounds of the Hopewell Culture, 200 BC to 400 AD. Visitors Center with exhibits.
www.state.ia.us/government/dca/shsi
Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Culture, History, Specialized
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum's collection is one of the oldest corporate collections in the nation. The museum is housed in a historic Carnegie Library building in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where visitors discover an extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, documents and equipment from one of our nation's most ambitious endeavors: constructing the transcontinental railroad and settling the West.
www.uprrmuseum.org
University of Northern Iowa Museum
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Archaeology, Art, Culture, History, Historic House, Library, Natural History, Science, University
The UNI Museum is comprised of the University Museum (a museum of nature and culture) and the Marshall Center School (a restored historic one-room schoolhouse). They are administered by the Department of Museums & Collections at the University of Northern Iowa, within the Rod Library.
www.library.uni.edu/museum
Ushers Ferry Historic Village
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
General, History, Historic House
Whatever your meeting or party needs, you are sure to find building space or open air ground at Ushers Ferry that will work for you.
www.ufhv.com
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Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Decorah, Iowa
Children's, Culture, General, History
With over 24,000 artifacts and 16 historic buildings, this national treasure showcases the best in historic and contemporary Norwegian folk and fine arts, and explores the American immigrant experience. "USA Today" named Vesterheim one of “ten great places in the nation to admire American folk art.” Come for our folk-art classes, holiday festivals, special group tours, or any time. Open all year (closed on Mondays from November through April).
www.vesterheim.org
Vinton Depot
Vinton, Iowa
History, Specialized
Railroad museum. Celebrating the centennial of its construction in 1999 & 2000.
Western Historic Trails Center
Council Bluffs, Iowa
History
Exhibits and film on 4 western historic trails: Oregon, Lewis & Clark, Mormon, California.
www.state.ia.us/government/dca/shsi
Wilder Memorial Museum
Strawberry Point, Iowa
Art, Culture, General, History, Military
Discover the Wilder Memorial Museum and connect with the heritage of Strawberry Point, Iowa. Exhibits include prarie farming, 800 hierloom dolls dating to the 1700's, Victorian art glass and furniture, Miessen and Dresden figuerines, as well as a military exhibit with items dating back to the Revolutionary War.
www.wildermuseum.org
Winfield Historical Society and Museum
Winfield, Iowa
General, History, Historical Society
New Museum-local artifacts-old school-turn of the century room-Senator William Carden memorabilia-Fire Department display.
www.winfieldhistoricalsociety.com
