State Historical Society of Iowa

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State Historical Society of Iowa The State Historical Society of Iowa has been a trustee of Iowa’s historical legacy since 1857.

🌧️ Looks like a rainy week ahead, but we have plenty of ways to get out and make history! 🏛️ There’s still time to save ...
14/09/2026

🌧️ Looks like a rainy week ahead, but we have plenty of ways to get out and make history! 🏛️ There’s still time to save your spot at these upcoming SHSI events, happening this week and next:

🙋 Thursday, Sept. 17 | 6-8:30 p.m.
Museum Docent Orientation
👉 https://history.iowa.gov/events/museum-docent-orientation

✈️ Friday, Sept. 18 | 11-11:45 a.m.
Guided History: Planes, Wagons, and Automobiles Tour
👉 https://history.iowa.gov/events/guided-history-planes-wagons-and-automobiles

🔎 Friday, Sept. 18 | 2-2:45 p.m.
Inside the Collections Space: Family Tour
👉 https://history.iowa.gov/events/inside-collections-space-family-tour

🏛️ Wednesday, Sept. 23 | 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Guided History: Iowa State Capitol Grounds
👉 https://history.iowa.gov/events/guided-history-iowa-state-capitol-grounds

🇺🇸 And all year long, explore our Revolutionary Iowans Exhibit Experience as America celebrates its 250th anniversary.
👉 https://history.iowa.gov/events/a250-revolutionary-iowans-exhibit-experience

Twenty-five years later, we remember September 11, 2001, and the lives forever changed that day. Among the collections o...
11/09/2026

Twenty-five years later, we remember September 11, 2001, and the lives forever changed that day. Among the collections of the State Historical Museum of Iowa are objects recovered from Ground Zero. These physical remnants bear witness to a moment in our nation’s history that remains deeply felt, including here in Iowa.

We share these objects with reverence and respect, remembering those who lost their lives, those who responded, and the many Iowans and others whose lives were forever changed.

These objects can be viewed in the atrium display cases and in the People and Places exhibit at the State Historical Museum of Iowa, where they remain part of the story of September 11 and its place in our shared history.

We will never forget.

👗 New York Fashion Week may be underway, but Montauk has been serving looks for generations! From the 1860s through the ...
10/09/2026

👗 New York Fashion Week may be underway, but Montauk has been serving looks for generations! From the 1860s through the 1890s, Larrabee family members sported some seriously memorable hairstyles, from carefully styled top knots to youthful, partially worn-down hair. We love to see 150+ years of Iowa hair history. 💇‍♀️ Which historic hairstyle would you bring back? 👀

Labor Day gives us a chance to pause, look back, and remember the people whose work has shaped our communities and our h...
07/09/2026

Labor Day gives us a chance to pause, look back, and remember the people whose work has shaped our communities and our history. 🇺🇸

In the late 1800s, many Americans worked 12-hour days, seven days a week, helping fuel the movement for fairer working conditions. Today, we acknowledge the efforts of Iowans and workers everywhere, from the farmers who feed the world to the teachers, tradespeople, caregivers, and countless others who keep our communities moving forward. 🤝

The collections at the State Historical Society of Iowa preserve many of these stories, made possible by generations of people who worked to build, create, and preserve our shared history. We’re grateful for our own dedicated team who continues that work today. 💛

📸 Revisit these historic photographs from our collections with us, and reflect on the lives and labor of Iowans who came before us.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and well-earned Labor Day!

When you realize some Iowa historic sites close after Labor Day…you listen to Goldie! 🚗 👀 Labor Day weekend is your FINA...
03/09/2026

When you realize some Iowa historic sites close after Labor Day…you listen to Goldie! 🚗 👀 Labor Day weekend is your FINAL WEEKEND to visit some State Historic Sites during their regular open-season hours. (DETAILS BELOW!)

FINAL WEEKEND:
📍 Abbie Gardner Sharp Cabin | Open Sat. & Sun., 12–4 p.m.; closed Labor Day
📍 Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop | Open Sat. & Sun., 12–4 p.m.; shop closed Labor Day

OTHER SITES:
📍 Montauk Historic Site | Open Sat., Sun. & Labor Day, 12–4 p.m.; adjusted hours after Labor Day
📍 Plum Grove Historic House | Open Sat. & Sun., 12–5 p.m.; closed Labor Day; adjusted hours after Labor Day
📍 Toolesboro Mounds | Open Sat. & Sun., 12–4:30 p.m.; visitor center closed Labor Day; adjusted hours after Labor Day
📍 American Gothic House | Visitor Center open Sat. & Sun.; closed Labor Day. Grounds open daily, sunrise to sunset
📍 Blood Run | Grounds open daily, sunrise to sunset
Can’t make it this weekend? The history doesn’t close! Many of our historic site grounds remain open year-round, sunrise to sunset, so there are still plenty of opportunities to explore and check in.

👉Plus, we’ll continue rolling out bonus Check Into History digital passport check-ins at locations across Iowa throughout the season. 📍

📱 Check Into Iowa History Digital Passport: https://www.traveliowa.com/historic-sites-passport-sign-up/
🚘 Historic site hours and visitor information: https://history.iowa.gov/visit/historic-sites


—
Meme alt text:
Goldie, the State Historical Society of Iowa mascot, sits in a 1919 electric automobile from the museum’s collection, posed as if ready for a road trip. Luggage and road-trip supplies are piled onto the car, which is overlaid on a collage of Iowa historic sites. Text reads, “ME: SOME HISTORIC SITES CLOSE AFTER LABOR DAY… GOLDIE: GET IN THE CAR.”

🇺🇸 Make Iowa history this Labor Day weekend—visit the Historical Building in Historic East Village! Cool off in the gall...
03/09/2026

🇺🇸 Make Iowa history this Labor Day weekend—visit the Historical Building in Historic East Village! Cool off in the galleries, explore Iowa’s past, and enjoy family-friendly, hands-on activities at Mornings at the Museum: Toys and Games this Saturday, Sept. 5, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. 🧸 No registration needed, just drop in anytime for a themed scavenger hunt, activities, and a hands-on craft.

🕰️ Holiday Weekend Hours:
Museum: Tue–Fri, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Sat, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Research Center: Wed–Fri, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | CLOSED Saturday, Sept. 5

🛍️ PLUS, we’re having a Labor Day Weekend Gift Shop Sale!
Thursday, Sept. 3 through Saturday, Sept. 5

Get 10% off all merch, mugs, museum favorites, and America 250 commemorative pins while you’re here!

Make the museum part of your Iowa holiday weekend tradition. 💛🇺🇸 Plan your visit: https://history.iowa.gov/visit

Address

600 E Locust Street

Opening Hours

Tuesday 09:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 09:00 - 16:30
Thursday 09:00 - 16:30
Friday 09:00 - 16:30
Saturday 09:00 - 15:00

Telephone

+15152815111

Website

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