Student & Youth Field Trips
| Please note the State Historical Museum of Iowa has new policies to minimize the spread of Covid-19. If you’d like to schedule a safe visit for your group, please contact our Museum Education staff at museum.education@iowa.gov. |
Looking for digital materials to share Iowa’s rich history with students of all ages? Check out the State Historical Museum of Iowa’s free educator resources, which include Primary Source Sets, Read Iowa History lesson plans, and Goldie’s History Kits.
Enjoy a self-guided visit with supplemental exhibit material provided by the museum to encourage young visitors to learn about Iowa history.
Specialized education programs, guided by the museum, are available twice per year through the History Alive program.
Group Registration
All groups of 10 or more visitors should register in advance. Please contact our Museum Education staff at museum.education@iowa.gov to discuss possible options for your visit. In your email, please include the following information: the date and time you’d like to visit, the length of time you’d like to stay, the grade levels of the students, and the total number of visitors in your group (including students and adults).
Group Size
For groups of 10 or more, please contact our Museum Education staff at museum.education@iowa.gov. New policies for groups are in place to minimize the spread of Covid-19.
Chaperones
Adult chaperones are responsible for supervising young visitors at all times during your visit to the museum. One chaperone is required for every 8-10 youth (under 18).
Visit Length
At this time, the museum is unable to provide indoor space for group lunches. However, there are multiple outdoor locations nearby that may work for your group, including the grounds of the State Capitol across the street.
| Age | Grade | Visit Length |
| Ages 3-8 | Preschool-2nd Grade | 60 minutes |
| Ages 9-14 | 3rd-8th Grade | 90 minutes |
| Ages 15-18 | 9th-12th Grade | 90-120 minutes (120 minutes works best with small, topic-focused groups) |
Museum Exhibit Guide
The State Historical Museum of Iowa has developed in-depth exhibit guides to enhance your group's visit. Inside, you’ll find exhibit maps, fun facts, must-see artifact spotlights, and discussion questions to help your group learn more about each exhibit. Laminated copies of the guides will be distributed to your group when you arrive.
