A big "Mobile Museum" is coming to Decorah

The University of Iowa's new "Mobile Museum" is coming to Decorah May 3rd--just the second stop ever for the new 38-foot-long RV.

Complete details are still being worked out, but the museum is scheduled .  to be on the Luther College campus during the Iowa Archeological Society spring meeting.

The Mobile Museum features an array of exhibits that focus on three very different eras in Iowa's history:  "Iowa's Ice Age Giants" explores the great mammals that roamed that state during the last ice age and their sudden extinction.  "Glenwood: Iowa's Ancient Agriculturalists" tells the story of the Glenwood culture centered in the Loess Hills and their connections to the Iowa landscape through agriculture.  "Cornerstones" focuses on the founding of Iowa and writing of its constitution, the building of the Old Capitol building, and the creation of the University of Iowa.

The museum also features a new digital wall that allows visitors to learn about—and interact with—modules about UI space research, the Santos Virtual Soldier program, and the UI Flood Center's sophisticated flood-prediction mapping systems, as well as additional information on Iowa archaeology.

"This is a museum built in Iowa, by Iowans, for Iowans," says Dan Reed, vice president for research and economic development, whose office includes the Pentacrest Museums and State Archaeologist.  Reed says the Mobile Museum is part of a broader goal to cultivate new, more active partnerships across the state, helping individuals, businesses, communities, and government be successful.

Some of the details of the May 3rd "Mobile Museum" visit are not yet quite set--including whether the museum will be open to the public and, if so, what hours.  decorahnews.com will have a later update.