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National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
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National Mississippi River Museum.jpg
Museum & Aquarium
Established June 28, 2003
Location Dubuque, Iowa, USA
Type Aquarium, History,
Natural history, Science
Visitors 250,000+ annually

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is an exciting place to visit in Dubuque, Iowa. It's a special museum that teaches you all about America's amazing rivers. The museum is part of the Dubuque County Historical Society. This group also runs the Mathias Ham House, which is a historic site.

The museum has two main buildings right by the river: the Mississippi River Center and the National River Center. It first opened in 1982 as the Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum. Later, it grew into the bigger museum you see today.

This museum is connected to the famous Smithsonian Institution. It's also recognized by important groups like the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This means it's a top-notch place for learning and seeing animals!

What You Can Explore at the Museum

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is packed with cool exhibits. You can learn about the history and culture of America's rivers. It's also home to many different aquariums. These aquariums feature animals that live in the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. You'll see giant catfish, sturgeon, ducks, frogs, turtles, and even river otters!

Outside, there are more fun things to discover. You can watch river otters play. There's also a marsh, old boats, and a blacksmith shop. You can even see raptors, like bald eagles, in their aviaries.

Main Attractions and Exhibits

The museum has many permanent exhibits that are always there for you to enjoy. They are split between two main centers.

The William Woodward Mississippi River Center

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William M. Black is a historic steamboat you can explore!

This center focuses on the mighty Mississippi River. Here are some of the cool things you can find:

  • Mississippi River Discovery Center: A place to learn about the river's secrets.
  • Carver Wet Lab: A hands-on lab where you can explore river science.
  • Historic Train Depot: See how trains played a part in river history.
  • Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum: Learn about old riverboats.
  • Steamboat William M. Black: This huge steamboat is a National Historic Landmark. You can go inside and explore it!
  • The Pfohl Boatyard: Discover how boats were built and repaired.
  • Woodward Wetland: An outdoor area showing a real wetland environment.

The Diamond Jo National River Center

This center explores rivers from all over. It connects the story of rivers to the sea.

  • RiverWays: Exhibits showing how rivers work and impact life.
  • Craver Stingray Touch Tank: Get up close and gently touch real stingrays!
  • Rivers to the Sea: Learn how rivers flow all the way to the ocean.
  • RiverWorks: Discover the engineering and technology used on rivers.
  • Mississippi River Plaza: A great spot to enjoy views of the river.
  • River's Edge Cafe: A place to grab a bite to eat.
  • 3D/4D Large-format Digital Theater: Watch amazing films about rivers and nature.

Heroes of the Rivers: The National Rivers Hall of Fame

The National Rivers Hall of Fame celebrates people who have made a big difference on and around the rivers in the United States. It honors explorers, inventors, writers, and many others. The Hall of Fame started in 1985. Experts on American rivers helped choose the very first people to be honored. There's even a theater inside the Hall of Fame building where you can learn more about these river heroes.

Famous Inductees

Many important people have been added to the Hall of Fame over the years. Here are just a few examples:

  • Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain): A famous writer known for his stories about the Mississippi River.
  • James Eads: An engineer who built amazing bridges and structures on rivers.
  • Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette: Early explorers who mapped parts of the Mississippi River.
  • Robert Fulton: An inventor who helped make steamboats popular.
  • Meriwether Lewis and William Clark: Famous explorers who journeyed across America's rivers.
  • Sacajawea: A Native American guide who helped Lewis and Clark on their expedition.
  • John James Audubon: A famous artist who painted many birds found near rivers.
  • Louis Armstrong: A legendary musician who grew up near the Mississippi River.
  • Rachel Carson: An important environmentalist who wrote about nature and conservation.
  • Abraham Lincoln: The 16th U.S. President, who worked on riverboats in his youth.
  • John Muir: A famous naturalist and advocate for protecting wild places, including rivers.

See also