Updated: 1/12/2012 
Museum of Natural History
Iowa City, Iowa
Description

Established in 1858, the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History serves the academic and public community with exhibits, research collections, and special programs. Exhibits are broadly representative of the four major divisions of natural science: anthropology, botany, geology and zoology, providing insight for adults and children alike.

Mission

The mission of the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History is to inspire in visitors of all ages understanding and a sense of wonder, discovery, respect, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds, through exhibits, programs, and collections, as well as through linkages with University of Iowa research and activities.

Programs

Educational programs for all ages are offered throughout the year, including workshops, movies, lectures, storytimes, and more.

Facilities
Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
Services
Scheduling a Tour

Guided tours are available Tuesday through Sunday with a prior reservation. Tours focus on the exhibits in Iowa Hall, and tours of the Bird and Mammal Galleries are mostly self-guided by the groups. All tours are free. The Museum requests that you call to schedule your tour at least a week before the desired date. March, April, and May tour spots fill up very early!

Foreign Languages

Free written guides for Iowa Hall are available in the Iowa Hall lobby in French, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese (traditional and simplified).

Guides and Scavenger Hunts

Add some new adventures to your next visit using these guides available onloine and in the lobby: •Hageboeck Hall of Birds Scavenger Hunt •Mammal Hall Scavenger Hunt • Iowa Hall Scavenger Hunt •Heritage Tree Walk • Iowa Hall Family Guide

Gift Shop

Visitors will find the Museum gift shop in the lobby of Iowa Hall offering a variety of books, rocks, minerals, t-shirts, jewelry, plush and plastic animals, and many other items. Items can be paid for with check, cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and University of Iowa staff/student charge.

Renting a Gallery

The Museum galleries are available after-hours to University of Iowa groups. Please contact the Director of Operations or call 319-384-3601 for more information

Birthday Parties

Let the Museum of Natural History help make a birthday extra special! Parties at the Museum include: •Private Room (Biosphere Discovery Hub) •Free Printable invitation cards •A personal Museum assistant •Hands-on activities •Fossil and artifact show and tell time •Custom sheet cake •Juice •Party favors for all guests •A special gift for birthday child •Paper products and silverware

Gift Shop
Event Rental
Group Tours
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

April 27 - April 29, 2025

Oregon Museum Association 2025 Conference

TBA

Independence, Oregon

Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall

The conference this year is all about trying new things. We are hoping to organize the conference into the following four tracks: Collections Care, Leadership, Emergency Preparedness, and Tourism

Check our website for more details in early 2025

The OMA newsletter is emailed every month with updates on OMA events, museum news, other events, trainings, jobs, grants and more for the museum community in Oregon.

For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.

October 1 - October 4, 2025

Western Museums Association’s (WMA) 2025 Annual Meeting

TBA

Reno, Nevada

Save the Date for WMA 202

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, join us to build relationships and soar higher than ever before. With the theme of ELEVATE, WMA 2025 will explore ways to lift up the experiences of cultural professionals and the communities they serve.

In Reno, Nevada, 4,400 feet above sea level, we will forward the progress of museums by looking to the future.

May 6 - May 9, 2025

2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUMEXPO

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles, California

AAM 2025 will focus on the theme, Museums & Trust.

Museums have long inspired high levels of public trust, surpassing news outlets, government organizations, researchers and scientists, corporations, and social media platforms. This consistent finding underscores our institutions’ unique position in society as stewards of knowledge, culture, science, and history—areas where credibility and reliability are paramount

In an era marked by mistrust and misinformation, museums have a rare ability to counterbalance the proliferation of false narratives and polarized perspectives. Using our trusted position, we can cultivate a more healthy, empathetic, and informed society.

But to do so, we must maintain our credibility proactively, embracing thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative practices that will defend against influences like bias, resource challenges, abuse of power, and social injustice

An Incredible MuseumExpo

AAM is again partnering this year with the Museum Store Association to host an incredible combined expo hall. Find the most innovative services, products, and solutions in the museum field. With 350 exhibitors, you are bound to find the right partner for your museum’s current challenges and opportunities.

May 5 - May 9, 2025

Museum Store Association FORWARD 2025 in LA

The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California

Join MSA in LA

We’re excited about our next MSA FORWARD Conference & Expo in “The City of Angels” – Los Angeles, California in conjunction with the American Alliance of Museums

Join the Museum Store Association (MSA) and hundreds of nonprofit retail professionals for the 70th Annual MSA FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo, taking place May 5-9, 2025 at The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Once again, MSA FORWARD will be held in conjunction with the 2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Expo

Learn best practices and new ideas for store merchandising, operations, marketing, and sale

Participate in dedicated networking events and create connections that will inspire new ideas

Meet with over 200 MSA vendors about your product needs

Hear from knowledgeable industry experts during session breakouts and keynote presentations

Network with AAM attendees and exhibitor

September 10 - September 13, 2025

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

TBD

Cincinnati, Ohio

The 2025 AASLH Annual Conference, in partnership with Ohio Local History Alliance, will take place as the history field makes the final preparations to kickoff off the 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States.

The 2025 conference theme, inspired by AASLH’s Making History at 250: The Field Guide for Semiquincentennial, is an opportunity to broadly explore one of the guide’s themes, The American Experiment. For many in the American colonies in 1776, independence from Britain represented a “leap into the dark” into an unknown future

We are excited for you to join us in Cincinnati as we encourage discussion about our democracy and civic institutions and how they can help strengthen understanding, inspire action, and reveal ways that all of us can participate in and shape the ongoing American experiment.

For more information, please call 615-320-3203 or email info@aaslh.org.

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