The State Historical Museum of Iowa has a variety of different educational experiences for your group to learn about Iowa history. From virtual classroom programs to self-guided field trips, the museum has various offerings depending on your group type and educational needs. Students can journey through 13,000 years of Iowa history, learn about life in Iowa before it became a state, discover what inspired more than 76,000 Iowans to fight for the Union and much more.
- Student & Youth Field Trips
- Adult Group Visits
- Virtual Field Trips
- In-person self-guided
Museum Field Trip Options
Review the options below before submitting the required Museum Visit Request Form.
| Grade Level | Age Group | In-Person or Virtual | Visit Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool-2nd Grade | Ages 3-8 | In-Person, Self-Guided | Up to 60 minutes |
| 3rd-8th Grade | Ages 9-14 | In-Person, Self-Guided | Up to 90 minutes |
| 9th-12th Grade | Ages 15-18 | In-Person, Self-Guided | Up to 90-120 minutes |
| 3rd-5th Grade | Ages 9-12 | Virtual | -- |
Before Your Field Trip
Ready to plan your visit to the State Historical Museum of Iowa? Use the checklist below to ensure you have everything you need for a successful (and fun) visit to the museum.
| Submit the Museum Visit Request Form | Have you submitted your visit request form yet? The Museum Visit Request Form is required for all groups over 10 people, and should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the requested visit date. Please note visits are not confirmed until a confirmation email has been sent from the museum education team. |
|---|---|
| Confirm Group Size | The museum can accommodate groups of 90 people at one time, which must include at least one adult chaperone for every 10 students. If your group is larger than 90 people, please email museum.education@iowa.gov to discuss possible options, like separating into smaller sections and rotating between the the Iowa Capitol and the museum. |
| Confirm Chaperones | Confirm the final count of the adult chaperones assisting with your visit and share the Museum Chaperone Letter. Adult chaperones are responsible for supervising students at all times during your visit to the museum. One chaperone is required for every 10 students. |
| Finalize Lunch Plans | Due to construction, the museum is unable to currently provide space for group lunches within the building. However, there are multiple outdoor locations nearby that may work for your group including the grounds of the State Capitol across the street from the museum. |
| Review Expectations | Review and share the Museum Manners to prepare students and chaperones for their upcoming visit. |
| Review Accessibility & Pre-Visit Information | Review the comprehensive Accessibility & Pre-Visit guide to find helpful information regarding mobility, sensory details, accessible parking and additional topics to help prepare for your visit. |
| Preview Museum Exhibits | Prepare for your visit and find exhibits that may connect with classroom lessons. |
| Explore Museum Resources | Looking for pre-visit learning resources? Check out the museum's downloadable, free Educator Resources to learn more about Iowa history. |
Educational Exhibit Materials
To better enhance school visits to the State Historical Museum of Iowa, the museum has a variety of educational materials for groups to use both during and after their visit to the museum. Groups can either print their own guides or copies will be provided upon arrival at the museum.
| Educational Guide | Grade Level | Age Group | Activity Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldie's Object Search | Preschool-2nd Grade | Ages 3-8 | Created for our youngest visitors, young historians and their adults can explore the museum at their own pace using the Goldie's Object Search which uses images of artifacts from the exhibits. |
| Goldie Tweets | 3rd-8th Grade | Ages 9-14 | Using Goldie Tweets, a fun and interactive way to learn more about Iowa history, small groups can explore the museum on a self-guided visit while searching for highlighted artifacts and exhibit scavenger hunts. |
| Museum Exhibit Guide | 9th-12th Grade | Ages 15-18 | Students can learn more about Iowa's fascinating past on a self-guided visit using the Museum Exhibit Guide. These guides are provide more in-depth information regarding highlighted objects from the museum collection. |
Any Questions?
If you have any questions regarding scheduling a visit to the State Historical Museum of Iowa, please send an email to museum.education@iowa.gov.