National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Encyclopedia
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is a museum
located in Dubuque
, Iowa
, USA. The museum is a property of the Dubuque County Historical Society, with two centers on the riverfront campus: the Mississippi River Center and the National River Center.
The museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution
, and is accredited by the American Association of Museums
(AAM) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA).
featuring wildlife
representative of that found in the Mississippi River
, including giant catfish, sturgeon, ducks, frogs, turtles, and more. There is also an outdoor park
, featuring river otters, a marsh, and large artifacts
, such as boats. The new museum expansion has saltwater tanks and a cafe
.
, as well as its riverboat, turning them into the 50000 square feet (4,645.2 m²) National River Center. This venue includes Rivers to the Sea, RiverWorks, and a large format 3D/4D immersion theater.
Rivers to the Sea traces the story of water and rivers as they flow from streams to rivers to the ocean. Four salt-water aquariums including the 40000 gal Gulf of Mexico tank hold sharks, rays, the beautiful schooling fish found at the mouth of the Mississippi, and large octopus.
RiverWorks lets children of all ages learn about rivers and what rivers mean to all of us through water-based activities. This children's "museum within a museum" keeps its river focus, with a crawl-through beaver lodge, water table, and a pedal-powered water "cycle."
The Large Format 3D/4D Theater presents 3D high definition movies, and special effects including dramatic sound, wind, mist, seat movement, and smells of the on-screen action.
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
located in Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, USA. The museum is a property of the Dubuque County Historical Society, with two centers on the riverfront campus: the Mississippi River Center and the National River Center.
The museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, and is accredited by the American Association of Museums
American Association of Museums
The American Association of Museums is a non-profit association that has brought museums together since its founding in 1906, helping develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and advocating on issues of concern to the museum community...
(AAM) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
(AZA).
Mississippi River Center
The museum is home to an aquariumAquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
featuring wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
representative of that found in the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, including giant catfish, sturgeon, ducks, frogs, turtles, and more. There is also an outdoor park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
, featuring river otters, a marsh, and large artifacts
Artifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
, such as boats. The new museum expansion has saltwater tanks and a cafe
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
.
Permanent exhibits
- Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum
- National Rivers Hall of Fame
- Steamboat William M. BlackWilliam M. Black (dredge)The William M. Black is a steam-propelled, sidewheel dustpan dredge.It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992. It is open for tours as part of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. According to information provided on the tour, the Black, one of the last paddle steamers built...
, a National Historic LandmarkNational Historic LandmarkA National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance... - The Pfohl Boatyard
- William Woodward Discovery Center
- Woodward Wetlands
Temporary exhibits
- Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America
- Another national traveling exhibit, Into the Dark, will replace Women & Spirit in summer of 2011. Into the Dark will feature nocturnal animals and highlight environments that thrive after darkness falls.
National River Center
In 2010, the museum finished a $40 million renovation of the existing portside Diamond Jo CasinoDiamond Jo Casino
The Diamond Jo Casino is a gambling casino and entertainment complex located in the Port of Dubuque, in Dubuque, Iowa. The casino is owned and operated by Dubuque-based Peninsula Gaming, LLC, which also operates the Diamond Jo Casino - Worth in Northwood, Iowa, and gambling operations in Eunice,...
, as well as its riverboat, turning them into the 50000 square feet (4,645.2 m²) National River Center. This venue includes Rivers to the Sea, RiverWorks, and a large format 3D/4D immersion theater.
Rivers to the Sea traces the story of water and rivers as they flow from streams to rivers to the ocean. Four salt-water aquariums including the 40000 gal Gulf of Mexico tank hold sharks, rays, the beautiful schooling fish found at the mouth of the Mississippi, and large octopus.
RiverWorks lets children of all ages learn about rivers and what rivers mean to all of us through water-based activities. This children's "museum within a museum" keeps its river focus, with a crawl-through beaver lodge, water table, and a pedal-powered water "cycle."
The Large Format 3D/4D Theater presents 3D high definition movies, and special effects including dramatic sound, wind, mist, seat movement, and smells of the on-screen action.