Explore History, Art, and Archives: A Guide to Campus Museums in Downtown Iowa City

Explore History, Art, and Archives:

A Guide to Campus Museums in Downtown Iowa City

Hosting thousands of visitors each year and bringing art, history, and archives to life, the University of Iowa’s campus museums and galleries are always free and open to everyone. The Pentacrest Museums, Stanley Museum of Art, and the University of Iowa Libraries each have something unique to offer for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Pentacrest Museums include the Old Capitol Museum and the Museum of Natural History. Located at the heart of campus on the Pentacrest, these two museums present programs and learning opportunities for both the wider community and Iowa students. The Old Capitol Museum features exhibitions about local and state history, and the Museum of Natural History, one of the oldest in the United States, includes permanent exhibitions that share the history of the natural world as well as an opportunity to see Rusty the Giant Sloth, an Iowa City icon.

Down the hill from the Pentacrest Museums is the Main Library Gallery at the University of Iowa Libraries. Readily accessible from the north entrance of the Main Library, the gallery presents a new major exhibition each semester featuring objects from the expansive collections available in Special Collections and Archives. Guest curators use rare materials to tell stories and share scholarly research about anything from Hawkeye sports and Iowa City history to medieval books, avant-garde art, and renowned writers.

“The Main Library Gallery is the perfect place to connect with the amazing things we have to offer in our archives,” says Sara Pinkham, exhibition and engagement coordinator at the University of Iowa Libraries. “Everyone is welcome to visit during our open hours, and our hope is that guests will leave feeling inspired to learn more about the exciting topics presented in our exhibits—and maybe even stop by Special Collections and Archives themselves to see and enjoy even more rare materials up close.”

“Our museums are for everyone,” says Jessica Smith, communications and engagement specialist for the Pentacrest Museums. “We serve as the front door to our beautiful university for all who visit. We welcome guests from all around the world, serve as a pillar of exploration in our community, and open worlds for our formal and informal students on and off campus.”

From the historic Laysan Island Cyclorama to Art & Write Night, Read on the Rug, and performances of all kinds, the Pentacrest Museums are an Iowa gem making a real impact for students and community members alike.

The Stanley Museum of Art, which reopened to the public in a brand-new building in 2022, is right next door to the Main Library. Like the other museums on campus, visiting the galleries and attending programs is always free. The museum’s most famous work, Jackson Pollock’s Mural, is permanently on display, along with rotating art from the collections and annual new exhibitions. (Fun fact: the building’s freight elevator and art loading dock were specifically designed to accommodate Mural, the largest piece in the Stanley’s collection.)

“At the Stanley Museum of Art, we like to lean on the phrase ‘art is for everyone,’” says Mahvish Farid, communications coordinator for the museum. “We are a public resource dedicated to serving the community and providing a space for discovery and learning. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a curious student, or simply looking for a peaceful place to relax, the Stanley has something to offer you.”

Weekends at the Stanley often include family activities like artmaking for kids, writing and drawing workshops, and docent-led tours. Weekdays sometimes feature lectures and other community events.

University of Iowa museums and galleries make a perfect outing, especially because they are so close together. Whether admiring magnificent specimens in Bird Hall at the Museum of Natural History, climbing the grand staircase in the Old Capitol Museum, discovering fresh takes on local history in the Main Library Gallery, or enjoying the wide variety of stunning international works on display at the Stanley Museum of Art, there is something exciting on display to suit every interest. Come check out some of the spaces and collections that help make Iowa City and the downtown area such a culturally rich place to live and work.