Established in 1994, located in Cedar Rapids. This museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and culture of African Americans in Iowa, featuring exhibits on slavery, civil rights, and local contributions.

Opened in 1975, located on the Iowa State University campus in Ames. This museum features decorative arts, including glass, ceramics, and textiles, as well as fine art and ethnographic collections.

Established in 1905, located in Cedar Rapids. This museum holds an extensive collection of American art, with a strong focus on works by Iowa artists, including Grant Wood, Marvin Cone, and Mauricio Lasansky.

Founded in 1948, located in Des Moines. This museum features a collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by artists such as Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keeffe. The building itself is a work of art, designed by notable architects Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier.

Opened in 2005, located in Davenport. This museum features a wide range of art from American, European, and Latin American artists, with notable collections in Haitian and Mexican colonial art. The building was designed by architect David Chipperfield.

Opened in 1912, located in West Bend. This unique religious site features nine grottos depicting scenes from the life of Christ, constructed from minerals, precious stones, and shells.

Established in 1962, located in West Branch. This museum chronicles the life and presidency of Herbert Hoover, offering exhibits on his humanitarian work and political career, as well as his personal artifacts and documents.

Established in 1983, located in Britt. This quirky museum celebrates the history and culture of American hobos, featuring artifacts, memorabilia, and exhibits on the hobo lifestyle.

Opened in 1999, located in Coralville. This museum offers interactive exhibits designed to inspire creativity and learning in children, with themes including art, science, and technology.

Founded in 1985, located in Johnston. This museum honors Iowa’s military history and veterans, featuring exhibits on various conflicts, military artifacts, and personal stories of service members.

Established in 1970, located in Urbandale. This open-air museum recreates historical Iowa farms and rural life, offering interactive exhibits and demonstrations on farming practices from different eras.

Established in 1983, located in Elk Horn. This museum celebrates Danish-American culture and history, featuring exhibits on immigration, Danish traditions, and the contributions of Danish Americans.

Founded in 1974, located in Cedar Rapids. This museum and library focus on the history and culture of Czech and Slovak immigrants, featuring artifacts, exhibits, and educational programs.

Opened in 2003, located in Dubuque. This museum and aquarium explore the history and ecology of the Mississippi River, featuring live animal exhibits, historical artifacts, and interactive displays.

Opened in 1867, located in Davenport. This museum offers exhibits on natural history, regional history, and science, featuring a giant screen theater and interactive science exhibits.

Opened in 1970, located in Des Moines. This interactive science museum offers hands-on exhibits, planetarium shows, and educational programs focused on various scientific fields, including physics, chemistry, and space exploration.

Founded in 1857, located in Des Moines. This museum showcases Iowa’s history through exhibits on Native American culture, pioneer life, and the state’s role in American history, featuring artifacts, photographs, and historical documents.

The University of Iowa’s art program was among the best of the small pack. Grant Wood had served on the faculty from 1934 to 1942. Arguing that students should learn from the best art of their own time, Lester Longman, director of the UI Art Department during these years, acquired some of the twentieth century’s most innovative works, including Max Beckmann’s Karneval. In 1951, when Jackson Pollock’s 1943 masterpiece Mural—donated to the university by art impresario Peggy Guggenheim—arrived at the university, the painting cemented the school’s reputation as one of the most progressive art institutions in the country.

Founded in 1877, located in Decorah. This museum is dedicated to Norwegian-American heritage, featuring artifacts, folk art, and exhibits on immigration and cultural traditions.