Sioux City Public Museum facts for kids
| Established | 1960; moved location in 2011 |
|---|---|
| Location | 607 4th Street , Sioux City, Iowa |
| Type | History |
The Sioux City Public Museum is a cool place to learn about the history and culture of Sioux City, Iowa. It has many interesting things to see. You can watch a video about the city's past. There are also old items from Native American tribes and early settlers.
The museum shows historic vehicles and displays about farming and factories. You can also learn about rocks, land, and old fossils. The Sioux City Public Museum also manages two other important spots. These are the Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center and the Peirce Mansion.
Discover the Sioux City Museum
The Sioux City Public Museum helps you explore the rich history of the area. It's a great spot for families and students. You can find out how Sioux City grew over time. The museum makes learning about the past fun and easy to understand.
A Look Back: The Museum's Journey
The museum first opened its doors in 1960. It was located in a beautiful old building called the Peirce Mansion. This mansion was built in 1893. A group called the Junior League bought the mansion in 1959. They helped turn it into a museum.
When it first opened, the museum showed exhibits about Sioux City's history. It also featured displays about the Lakota people, Omaha people, and Winnebago people. The museum covered many topics. These included how people lived, old tools, nature, science, and military history.
In 2011, the museum moved to a new, bigger home. This new location is in downtown Sioux City. It used to be a J. C. Penney store. The new museum has a theater for movies and presentations. It also has classrooms for learning activities. There are many large rooms for different exhibits. This big move cost about $12.5 million.
A special new exhibit opened at the new location. It is all about the song "Sioux City Sue". The museum building is very large. It covers about 10,000 square feet.
The Peirce Mansion is still part of the museum. It is open to visitors a few times a year. You can also rent it for special events.
Fun Activities and Recognition
The museum works with local schools. Students from the Sioux City Community School District create models of famous local buildings. The museum and the Historical Association judge these models every year. This helps students learn about their city's landmarks.
The museum is also known for how it manages its collections. It has a clear process for deciding what items to keep or remove. This process was even used as an example in a book about how museums are run. This shows that the Sioux City Public Museum is a well-organized and respected place.
