State Historical Society of Iowa
The Mobile Museum 3.0 is parked in front of a view of downtown Des Moines

Mobile Museum

After two successful statewide tours from 2017-2023, the Mobile Museum will hit the road again in summer 2024! Over the next three years, the Mobile Museum will travel to all of Iowa’s 99 counties with a new exhibit, Civics in Action. Housed in a 38-foot custom-built Winnebago, visitors to this exhibit will discover more about the governmental history of the United States and Iowa, and the importance of civics in our communities. The exhibition will also feature the Iowa caucuses, civic stories throughout Iowa’s history, and Iowans of action. More than 50 historic artifacts from the State Historical Museum’s collection will be on view for visitors to explore.

Iowa History 101: Civics in Action is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support is provided by Casey’s General Stores.

National Endowment for the Humanities logo

This exhibition has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

2024 Schedule

Please check local listings to confirm visiting hours and locations.

  • August 6: Red Oak, National Night Out
  • September 9-13: Corydon, Prairie Trails Museum of Wayne County; open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • October 12-13: Scenic Drive Festival, Bentonsport, Van Buren County; open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

More dates coming soon!

Request a visit

If you’re interested in hosting the mobile museum, please fill out the visit request form but first consider these questions:

  • Will you be able to provide a 20' x 40' hard, level parking surface?
  • Are there low-hanging tree branches or other vertical hazards around the proposed parking surface?
  • Is there a standard electrical outlet within 100' of the suggested location?
  • Is there a 30-amp or 50-amp electrical outlet within 50' of the suggested location?

If this is a Community Visit:

  • Are you able to provide volunteers to open/close/monitor the mobile museum?
  • How many visitors do you anticipate will visit the mobile museum?
  • Do you have any additional community partners?

If this is a School Visit:

  • What grade levels will be visiting the mobile museum?
  • How many total students do you expect to visit the mobile museum?

Make the most of your visit

The State Historical Museum of Iowa is excited to bring the mobile museum to your community. They will take care of sending a press release to your local media and creating a Facebook event to promote the mobile museum’s appearance.

Questions

  • Scheduling: Request a visit for 2024-2026
  • General Questions: Email Andrew Harrington or call 515-666-9146

Photos