Business ClimateMuseums
Anamosa State Penitentiary Museum, Anamosa
The Anamosa State Penitentiary Museum showcases the 132-year history of Iowa's largest prison, the Anamosa State Penitentiary. The museum offers displays describing prison life, the “guard” through the years, and a large variety of photographs from the prison's early days.
Clinton County Historical Society and Museum, Clinton
The Museum has an extensive collection of Clinton County’s history featuring agriculture, river, lumbering, railroad, genealogy, and past and present business and industry.
Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque
Iowa's oldest cultural institution, established in 1874, located in the heart of downtown Dubuque's cultural corridor. The Dubuque Museum of Art achieved the highest recognition for a museum, accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM) in December 2004.
Grant Wood Gallery, Anamosa
View a continuing exhibit of Grant Wood prints and photos of the original Grant Wood Art Colony in Stone City.
Original murals on exhibit by Grant Wood from the old Chieftain Hotel in Council Bluffs. Gift Shop includes Grant Wood prints, books and memorabilia.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, West Branch
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, West Branch
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site was established to commemorate the life of this uncommon person. The Historic Site contains the cottage where Hoover was born, a blacksmith shop similar to the one owned by his father, West Branch’s first one room schoolhouse, the Friends Meetinghouse where the Hoover Family worshipped, and several homes of the era. Also located on the grounds are the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, the Hoover Presidential Library Association, the gravesites of the President and Mrs. Hoover, and an 81-acre tallgrass prairie.
Mathias Ham House Historic Site, Dubuque
Capture the flavor of life along the Mississippi during the golden era of steamboating. One of Dubuque's earliest entrepreneurs, Mathias Ham built his estate predominately through his lead mining interests. Ham's stately country villa stands today as a living reflection of its wealthy builder. Inside, its elegant American and European furnishings exemplify the opulent Victorian lifestyle of a booming rivertown during the Antebellum period. Both the 1856 mansion and an 1833 log cabin (Iowa's oldest building), which is also located at the site, are skillfully restored and authentically furnished.
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Dubuque
Prepare to take an entertaining and informative journey on the Mighty Mississippi at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Enjoy dynamic aquariums, historical exhibits and a stroll through the wetlands and boatyard. Each visit is a truly interactive experience where visitors can get "up close and personal" with live critters, become barge pilots, and control locks and dams.
The Old Jail Museum, Dubuque
It’s a crime if you don’t visit! The Old Jail Museum is where history breaks out. A rare example of Egyptian Revivalist architecture, the 1857 jail exhibits some of the Dubuque County Historical Society’s most unique and interesting artifacts, yet still has all the criminal elements we love to hate. Don’t skip the dungeon in the basement!
Steamboat William M. Black, Dubuque
This National Landmark vessel, nearly the size of a football field, was a working dredge boat that once roamed the Missouri River. Today you can walk the decks of this 1934 steamer and tour the engine room and pilothouse. You can also experience an adventuresome overnight in a stateroom, dine in the galley, and see what life was really like on a working steamboat.
National Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame, Anamosa
An extensive collection of vintage motorcycles, thousands of photographs, posters, postcards and pieces of motorcycle memorabilia, plus a fabulous collection of antique toys and other surprises await you in Iowa.
National Farm Toy Museum, Dyersville
The National Farm Toy Museum features over 30,000 toys and exhibits between its two floors. Tractors, implements, trucks, miniature farm dioramas, toy manufacturing information, and pedal tractors are on display around the museum.
