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Published on
April 29, 2026
Private Museum Tours
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SHSI
Tour
Looking to enhance your visit to the museum? Discover Iowa’s history through a private, expert-led tour at the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Choose a behind-the-scenes collection storage tour for access to areas not open to the public, or themed exhibit tours focused on historical topics. All private tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance and dates are dependent on staff availability.
Private Museum Collection Tour
Cost - $10 per person
Tour Length - 60 minutes
Tour Capacity - The minimum number of people required is 4 and the maximum is 20 due to space limitations.
Age Requirement- All participants must be at least 12 years and older.
Schedule our popular 60 minute museum-staff led tour of select items from the State Historical Museum of Iowa's below ground collection storage. The guided tour of the museum's lower level includes a behind-the-scenes look at where the museum stores 80,000 objects not currently on display in the exhibits. The tour includes a close-up look on historic cars, Civil War battle flags, sand art, and much more. To request a private museum collection tour and begin the scheduling process, please submit the request form.
Private Museum Exhibit Tours
Cost - $5 per person
Tour Length - 45 minutes
Tour Capacity - The minimum number of people required is 4 and the maximum is 20 due to space limitations.
Explore Iowa history through private, expert-led 45-minute tours focused on specific themes and stories from Iowa’s past. Designed for adult learners and small groups, these tours offer deeper context, discussion and insight beyond a standard museum visit. To request a private exhibit tour and begin the scheduling process, please submit the request form.
Museum Exhibit Tour Topics
Iowa played a major role in the Civil War. This guided tour focuses on Iowa's role in the war including the important figures on the battlefields and the home front. Hear the heroic and heartbreaking stories about Alexander Clark, Annie Wittenmyer, Major General Grenville Mellen Dodge, and others that helped the Union ultimately win the war.
Interested in transportation and how Iowans made their way across the state? This guided tour focuses on the planes, wagons, and automobiles in the museum collection. This tour includes a Conestoga Wagon, stories of heroism from the U.S.S. Iowa, an electric car owned by a former First Lady of Iowa, and a plane owned by a husband and wife aviation team.
Ever wonder about the stories behind the faces in historic paintings - or the artists who brought them to life? Join the State Historical Museum of Iowa for a 45-minute special guided tour exploring highlights from the museum's portrait and painting collection.
You'll discover works like an attributed George Caitlin portrait of a frontier general, a copy of a masterpiece by Dutch painter Gehard Nollen, one of the first ink drawings by Wacochachi as a gift to George Davenport, and more fascinating pieces that help tell Iowa's story.
In honor of America 250, join the State Historical Museum of Iowa to learn about Iowa’s connections to the American Revolution and Early Republic. This special guided tour features the stories of the 23 “Revolutionary Iowans” who embodied the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Join the State Historical Museum of Iowa for this special guided tour that explores the lives of interesting women and their work shaping Iowa's past. During the guided tour, participants will hear several stories throughout the museum exhibits. The tour will feature Annie Wittenmeyer's work during the Civil War, the art of ornithologist Althea Sherman and the personal story of pioneer Kitturah Belknap, and other stories of past Iowans.
