african american museum of iowa

We had stopped at the Newbo Market for lunch and were simply wandering around on a relatively warm January day, when we saw the museum. As neither of us are African American, we truly did not know what to expect. We were both pleasantly surprised by the amount of info and displays in the main hall. Many thought and emotion provoking exhibits help one to try to feel what early slaves and those that followed, have been through and continue to struggle with.

This is a gem of a small museum. With kids I would plan for about an hour, longer as they get older. They have great interactive exhibits to help kids and adults engage in a very personal way. I especially enjoy the ties to Iowa.

I had a friend visiting from out of town, and we decided at the last minute to drop in after we saw the sign on the highway. I've lived here for several years and never stopped in - it's a real gem! The Czech museum gets much more publicity, but my husband and I thought the African American museum was more enjoyable due to the breadth of exhibits and the number of interactive displays. There were only two other people there late on a Saturday afternoon, so we were able go around at our own pace and see everything just in time to beat closing. Depending on how much you tend to read versus just look at pictures and interact with displays, I'd recommend leaving yourself at least an hour to an hour and a half. We didn't have kids with us and took just under an hour and a half. I'd think most kids would enjoy the numerous interactive displays, too.

The exhibits are really thoughtful and professionally done. The main permanent exhibit might involve too much reading for kids, but was really interesting to us, and there was a lot we didn't know (for example, they were doing lunch-counter sit-ins in Iowa in 1948!). Some of the first-hand stories of Iowan African-Americans on the laminated cards are really gripping. The rotating exhibit about Africa before the boats was also informative and had lots of hands-on stuff for kids. There were masks and drums and cloths to handle, and a very sobering reconstructed slave-ship bunk you can lie in to give yourself a tiny, tiny taste of what that must have been like. Turns out they also run a summer camp for kids.

I didn't know what to expect when I stopped here, but I was impressed with the quality of the museum exhibits and the knowledgable staff. There was a good mix of visual and written documents to look at, as well as hands-on exhibits. It's not as large or well-funded as the Czech museum across the river, but it is a great addition to the city and to Iowa's history. Admission was worth it, and there weren't many other people around, so you could go through at your own pace. I don't think they get many visitors, actually, so definitely stop. The exhibits have something for everyone--sports history, civil rights, education, early Iowa history, etc. The special exhibit on West Africa was neat, too, with information on music, food, culture, and history.

I was impressed with the wide variety of exhibits and artifacts in this museum. There are wonderful murals too that make you feel as if you are standing right in the African village and that the people there could step out to meet you at any moment. Great hands-on exhibits for adults and children with a chance to play African musical instruments, work with African food, feel woven African cloth, and more. Instead of the usual museum "Do Not Touch" signs, there are lots of "Please Touch Me" signs. Opportunity for young and old to learn something about another culture.

Great addition to Iowa. Highly recommend. The shows are sent around the state. The permanent collection is not yet large or deep,yet the curating is well done and most of the short mountings have been excellent.

I visited the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids the other day and thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit related to the trials and tribulations experienced by African Americans in Iowa. As a history buff, I Iearned a great deal that I didn't previously know. I highly recommend this museum not only for student groups but for adults who want to learn more about the history of Iowa. Curator Lynn Koos has done an excellent job of planning and displaying the exhibit!

Great exhibit, local lore of the African American culture. A wonderful wall photo of President Obama and his podium he used while on his first bid to the presidency in Iowa.Great film showing evolution of integration.

I had pasted by this location many times when using the Cedar River Trail. Don't hesitate to stop in and enjoy the offering here at the African American Museum. The facility has come back even stronger after the flood of 2008 and more people should take the time to learn about diverse heritages in Cedar Rapids.