Field Trips & Group Visits

School groups

Topics:

K-12 Education

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. 

Museum Field Trip Options

  • Self-Guided Visit (FREE): Review the options below, then submit the required Museum Visit Request Form to schedule a self-guided visit. 
  • History Mystery ($1/student): A guided 30-minute activity for K-12 students investigating museum objects up close. Submit a request using the History Mystery Request Form.
  • Research Center Lab (FREE): A guided 60-minute activity for 9-12 and college students doing hands-on work with primary sources in the Research Center. Submit a request Using the Research Center Lab Request Form.
 
Grade LevelAge GroupVisit Length
Preschool-2nd GradeAges 3-8Up to 60 minutes
3rd-8th GradeAges 9-14Up to 90 minutes
9th-12th GradeAges 15-18Up to 90-120 minutes

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.

Before Your Field Trip
ActionInstructions
Submit the Museum Visit Request Form

A visit request form is required for all groups over 10 people.

Confirm Group Size

For groups larger than 90, email [email protected] to discuss options like separating into smaller sections and rotating between the museum and the Iowa Capitol.

  • Maximum group size: 90 individuals total
  • Chaperone ratio: at least 1 adult for every 10 students
Confirm Chaperones

Confirm the final count of adult chaperones and share the Museum Chaperone Letter. Adult chaperones are responsible for supervising students at all times during the visit.

  • Chaperone ratio: at least 1 adult for every 10 students
Finalize Lunch Plans

A small lunch space is available upon request. For groups larger than 60, a rotating lunch schedule will be required.

  • Lunch capacity: 60 individuals
  • Lunch location: Geode Classroom, 1st floor

Outdoor lunch locations are available on the State Capitol Grounds across the street.

Review ExpectationsReview and share the  Museum Manners to prepare students and chaperones for the visit.
Review Accessibility & Pre-Visit InformationReview the comprehensive  Accessibility & Pre-Visit guide to find helpful information on mobility, sensory sensitivities, alternative exhibit text formats, accessible parking and more.
Preview Museum Exhibits

Prepare for your visit and find  exhibits that may connect with classroom lessons.

Explore Museum Resources

Looking for pre- or post-visit learning resources? Check out the museum's free, downloadable  Educator Resources. 

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 Exhibit Materials
Educational GuideGrade LevelAge Group
Goldie's Scavenger Hunt (7.33 MB) .pdf Preschool-2nd GradeAges 3-8
Goldie Tweets (362.02 KB) .pdf 3rd-8th GradeAges 9-14
Museum Exhibit Guide (1.38 MB) .pdf 9th-12th GradeAges 15-18

School Bus Grants

There are two school bus grant opportunities for districts in Northeast and Central Iowa. The State Historical Museum of Iowa is a Bravo Passport to Culture site and a Silos and Smokestacks partner site, so eligible schools can apply to either program to support field trip costs. 

InstitutionWho's EligibleCities and Counties

Bravo Passport to Culture

Public and private schools located in one of Bravo’s 15 communities

Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, Windsor Heights

Silos and Smokestacks

Schools in the 37 county heritage area

Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Howard, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Marshall, Mitchell, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story, Tama, Winnishiek, Worth, Wright

Any Questions?

If you have any questions regarding scheduling a visit to the State Historical Museum of Iowa, please send an email to [email protected].