Old Capitol Museum

About this museum

The Old Capitol Museum in Iowa City, Iowa, is one of the state's most iconic landmarks and a must - visit free museum for anyone interested in American political history and stunning 19th - century architecture. Located at 21 North Clinton Street on the University of Iowa campus, this beautifully restored building crowned by its famous gold dome offers a compelling journey through Iowa's formative years as a territory and state.With free admission and a 4.7 - star rating from hundreds of visitors, the Old Capitol Museum stands out as one of the top things to do in Iowa City. The building served as Iowa's first state capitol from 1846 to 1857 and later became the centerpiece of the University of Iowa campus. Today, visitors can walk through the meticulously restored legislative chambers, governor's office, and other historic rooms, standing in the very spaces where early state leaders debated and shaped Iowa's future. The experience of being surrounded by this much living history is something visitors describe as both educational and genuinely moving.The museum's exhibits explore the building's architectural significance, the political history of Iowa's early statehood, and the broader cultural context of 19th - century American westward expansion. Rotating exhibits add fresh perspectives and new reasons to return, while the permanent displays provide a solid foundation of knowledge about this remarkable building and the people who shaped its story.The Old Capitol Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed Sunday through Tuesday. The facility is fully accessible, with designated accessible parking, a wheelchair - friendly entrance, and accessible restrooms. For current exhibit information and visitor details, visit oldcap.uiowa.edu.Whether you are a University of Iowa student, a history enthusiast passing through Iowa City, or a family looking for a meaningful and free educational experience, the Old Capitol Museum delivers. It is a place where Iowa's past comes alive beneath a golden dome, and where every room tells a story worth hearing.