The museum was established just 11 years after Iowa achieved statehood, making it the oldest university museum west of the Mississippi.
The collection includes the 'World's Largest' display of Laysan Albatross specimens, a legacy of the 1902 expedition to the Pacific.
The museum's grand gallery, Macbride Auditorium, retains significant 19th-century architectural features and original woodwork.
The Iowa Hall exhibit features a walk-through timeline of Iowa's geology, beginning with the Devonian period when the area was covered by a shallow tropical sea.
The museum houses a significant collection of Native American artifacts and materials that document the historical presence of tribal nations in the region.
The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, housed in the historic Macbride Hall, serves as the state's oldest museum, founded in 1858. The collection highlights Iowa's unique biodiversity, featuring extensive taxidermy displays of regional fauna, including the iconic Laysan Albatross diorama. Visitors can explore the Hall of Mammals, which features a diverse array of specimens from North American habitats. The museum also maintains significant geological and paleontological collections detailing the ancient environments of Iowa. Educational exhibits provide insight into the indigenous history and natural heritage of the Upper Midwest. The museum functions as a research repository for the University of Iowa, preserving thousands of specimens for scientific study.
The central staircase and the grand, high-ceilinged displays in the main gallery.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding historic University of Iowa Pentacrest.
Check the university website for special rotating exhibits that change seasonally.
Use the interactive maps in the Iowa Hall for a deeper understanding of the state's glaciation history.
Do not attempt to touch the specimens, as many are fragile, historical artifacts with delicate taxidermy.
Closed on Mondays and major university holidays; often closed during university winter and spring breaks.
