National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

06/10/2026

Learn all about Iowa's deadliest forgotten disaster, where torrential rains caused a dam on Catfish Creek to fail, unleashing a flood that destroyed Rockdale near Dubuque.

Join us on June 30 from 6 to 8 PM for Museum Xtra: A Study of the Rockdale Flood, 1876. Using art, photos, and heirlooms, historians reconstruct the tragedy.

Light refreshments will be served. RSVP by June 25.

Learn more and RSVP: https://www.rivermuseum.org/events/museum-xtra-study-rockdale-flood-1876

*Pictured is a painting of the Rockdale Flood, painted by J.J. Kavanaugh.

06/09/2026

Happy !

Museums are fun, and we're no exception! Our makerspace is one place that sparks curiosity and creativity. Dive into hands-on STEM activities! Explore 3D printing, a circuit, or build a craft, and much more! Our activities change periodically, so be sure to check back each month.

06/06/2026

PAW Patrol™: Adventure Play traveling exhibition is NOW OPEN!

Explore Adventure Bay with your favorite pups and discover how teamwork and bravery make a difference! Enjoy interactives, pretend-play areas, participate in rescue missions, puzzles, and more!

This exhibit was produced by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis in partnership with Nickelodeon.

Included with admission or membership. PAW Patrol is here until September 13!

06/05/2026

Ready, Set, Race! The Great Museum Race is fast approaching. Gather your crew of 4 to 6 and race against the clock, conquer games, challenges, brainteasers, and more on June 17 from 6 to 9 PM!

Enjoy a cash bar and snacks. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams! Costumes and team uniforms are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED (we may even award a prize for that!)

Perfect for a fun team-building experience for your family, friends, or workplace!

Register today! Don't miss the fun. Registration closes June 10. Learn more and register at https://www.rivermuseum.org/events/great-museum-race

Price per team: $80 for members and $100 for non-members. Participants must be 21 years or older to register.

06/04/2026

We're OPEN until 8 PM TONIGHT!

Starting today until August 27, enjoy extended hours until 8 PM every Thursday to explore everything the museum has to offer, plus:

- Special late-night showing of our 4D movies Animalopolis & Turtle Odyssey

- Extended access to Narwhal: Reveal an Arctic Legend.

- Hot dogs, chips, ice cream, and soda will be available for purchase out on the Plaza, or stop by our cash bar for a beer.

Starting at 4 PM, take advantage of discounted admission:
- Members: Free Admission
- Adults: $14.95
- Youth (ages 3-17): $11.95
- Museums for All Guests: $5

06/03/2026

Mark your calendars for Member Appreciation Day this Saturday, June 6!

Enjoy an exclusive 15% OFF all regular-priced merchandise at our Museum Stores!

This offer excludes local merchandise and already discounted items.

Be sure to show your active membership at checkout.

Not a member yet? Or has your membership expired? Purchase or renew your membership today and join in on the fun!

To purchase, renew, or learn more, visit: https://www.rivermuseum.org/membership

06/01/2026

Is school out for the summer? Make this summer your greatest adventure! Kids entering Kindergarten through 5th grade can join us for a summer filled with hands-on activities and endless fun!

Summer Camps:
June 15-19: KinderKamp: Animal Heroes
June 22-26: KinderKamp: Superpower Camp
July 7-9: Explorers of the Driftless
July 21-23: River Rats
July 28-30: Survival Camp
August 4-6: Living History at the Mathias Ham Historic Site.

Register today! Camp Registration Closes One Week Prior to the Start of Each Camp.

Learn more and register at https://www.rivermuseum.org/summer-camps. Scholarships are available.

05/30/2026

As Historic Preservation Month wraps up, we would like to recognize the four recent awardees of the Dubuque County Historic Preservation Awards. Today, we're recognizing the work of Jim and Betty Coohey.

First noticed by this committee in 1978, we return again as they celebrate a 50-year milestone of stewardship that brings the historic Maurice Brown House into the 21st Century. The Maurice Brown House is one of the contributing structures of the Seminary Hill Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. It is a late Victorian, Second Empire-style, with a two-story pavilion with a gable roof. It features a triple-dormer set with round flat-top hoods. The property was converted into four apartments in the 1920s, and later owners additionally converted the garage into living spaces as well. It was in this state that the Cooheys bought the home in 1977.

The Coohey family poured their efforts into preserving the Maurice Brown House, meticulously remodeling the interior, including all apartments, while honoring the home’s rich history. Their commitment to retaining the original woodwork, moldings, hardware, and other key features helped maintain the house’s unique character. They have restored the original Yankee gutters and brackets and did significant repairs in the last year, including replacing the asphalt roof and updating the exterior staircase.

Congratulations, Coohey family!

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

Today is National Learn About Composting Day! Celebrate by learning about the benefits of composting and what you can do!

When food scraps and yard waste sit in landfills, they trap harmful gases and produce methane, a powerful driver of climate change. Composting completely transforms this waste. Instead of creating pollution, these materials become nutrient-rich organic matter that builds healthy soil, improves water retention, prevents erosion, and supports vibrant pollinator habitats.

Best of all, anyone can participate! You can easily compost at home, or if you live in Dubuque, you can utilize the convenient curbside pickup program for your food scraps and yard waste.

This one small habit makes a big impact locally. Healthier soils act like a sponge, absorbing rainwater and drastically reducing polluted runoff into the Mississippi River. By composting, you are directly supporting cleaner local waterways, resilient landscapes, and a more sustainable future right from your own backyard.

For more information on composting, be sure to check out Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency’s webpage, https://www.dmaswa.org/166/Compost