The State Historical Museum of Iowa is excited to bring the state’s rich history directly to your community with our free travel exhibit program in 2024. As Iowa’s flagship museum, we are dedicated to connecting Iowans with the people, places, and pivotal moments that have shaped our unique state. Currently, several engaging exhibits are on tour across Iowa, offering a fantastic opportunity to delve into local heritage without traveling far. Be sure to check our calendar to find out when these captivating displays will be visiting a location near you.
Mobile Museum: Civics in Action Across Iowa
Following two successful statewide journeys from 2017 to 2023, the Mobile Museum is gearing up for another exciting tour from 2024 through 2026! Over the next three years, this museum on wheels will visit all 99 counties in Iowa, presenting a brand-new exhibit: Civics in Action.
Housed within a specially designed 38-foot Winnebago, this travel exhibit offers visitors an interactive exploration of the governmental history of both the United States and Iowa. “Civics in Action” highlights the crucial role of civic engagement in our communities. The exhibit features fascinating insights into the Iowa caucuses, compelling civic stories from Iowa’s past, and profiles of impactful “Iowans of action.” Visitors can explore over 50 historical artifacts from the State Historical Museum’s esteemed collection, bringing history to life right before their eyes.
Iowa History 101: Civics in Action is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, with additional backing from Casey’s General Stores.
We are currently accepting booking requests for the 2024-2026 tour. Priority will be given to counties that have not previously hosted the Mobile Museum. To request a visit, please contact Ethan Atwell at [email protected].
Traveling Exhibit: Remembering Iowa’s World War I Sacrifice
The World War I Honor Roll traveling exhibit serves as a poignant tribute to the more than 4,000 Iowans who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I. This moving display features the names and photographs collected by the State Historical Society from Iowa families who lost loved ones in the war. The Society initiated a call for these records in 1920, and again in 2017, to enhance the official documentation during the war’s centennial anniversary. This exhibit is a powerful result of that dedicated research and stands as a lasting memorial to a generation of Iowans who bravely gave their lives in the cause of freedom.
Booking requests are now being accepted, with preference given to venues that can host the display for a minimum of four weeks and provide a space of at least 15’x15′ with a minimum ceiling height of 9 feet. To inquire about hosting this important exhibit, please contact Andrew Harrington at [email protected].
