Grout Museum District

Grout Museum District From Victoriana to Veterans, Science to Stars, the Grout Museum District has something for everyone.

Established in 1932, the Grout Museum District is widely acknowledged as one of the cornerstones of culture in Northeast Iowa. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Grout Museum District includes four distinct properties - the Grout Museum of History & Science/Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, the Snowden House, and the Rensselaer Russell House Museum. The Grout Museum of Hi

story & Science was founded by Henry Whittemore Grout, a prominent Waterloo resident, financier and state legislator who loved to travel and collect reminders of the places he visited, sharing these finds with children in the community. By the time of his death, Grout had collected over 2,000 objects. His will established an endowment and named trustees to care for his collection, which was displayed for many years at the local YMCA. The current building at 503 South Street was completed in 1956 and opened to the public as a not-for-profit museum. The Grout's many attractions have drawn visitors from all over the state of Iowa and surrounding states, and its educational programs involve students from Waterloo, Cedar Falls and surrounding areas. The latest addition to the Grout Museum District includes the new Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum. The official veterans museum of the state of Iowa, the museum honors the service and sacrifice of all Iowa veterans from the Civil War to present. Rent a space: https://www.groutmuseumdistrict.org/about/rentals.aspx

Become a member: https://www.groutmuseumdistrict.org/get-involved/membership.aspx

Support the Museum: https://www.groutmuseumdistrict.org/get-involved/donate.aspx

Subscribe to our email list: https://newsletters.spinutech.com/h/r/E37F41182266364C

Summer planetarium showtimes begin today! Enjoy a show at 11AM, 1:30 or 3PM.Visiting the planetarium is a $5 add on to y...
06/02/2026

Summer planetarium showtimes begin today! Enjoy a show at 11AM, 1:30 or 3PM.

Visiting the planetarium is a $5 add on to your Museum admission or if you would like to JUST attend a show, cost is $8. Museum members are always free of charge!

06/01/2026

The Grout Museum District and National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum showcase the city's contributions.

Online Collections Update!Museum staff just added a Rhinoceros Beetle to the online collection. This type of beetle is v...
06/01/2026

Online Collections Update!

Museum staff just added a Rhinoceros Beetle to the online collection. This type of beetle is very large but nonaggressive (The largest in this Subfamily of beetles is the largest beetle in the world (6 inches long!). It's named the Rhino beetle because the males have a horn on their head. The males use this horn to fight other male Rhino beetles to win over the females.

You can check out our online collection, including the Rhinoceros Beetle, linked in comments!

06/01/2026
Cedar Valley! We’ve got squishy toys in stock! Check out our brand new Polysquish, available in 16 mystery shapes! $15 e...
05/29/2026

Cedar Valley! We’ve got squishy toys in stock!

Check out our brand new Polysquish, available in 16 mystery shapes! $15 each and museum members get a discount.

Shop with us Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM. Shopping is always free of charge.

Spend a summer day exploring beautiful gardens across the Cedar Valley at the Friends of the Grout Historic Houses Annua...
05/29/2026

Spend a summer day exploring beautiful gardens across the Cedar Valley at the Friends of the Grout Historic Houses Annual Garden Tours on Saturday, June 20!

This year’s featured gardens include:
🌿 Dave & Karen Sigl
🌸 Ginny & Randy Platte
🌼 Bill and Moria Brown
🌷 Joan & Dave Lies
🌱 John Brackin
🌺 Tim & Carol Luce
🌻 Lyle & Marlene Brim

Tickets are $15, and children 12 and under are free. Registration may be purchased at the Museum, online (link in comments), or at any of the featured gardens on the day of the event.

All proceeds support the maintenance and upkeep of the Museum District’s two historic houses.

On Wednesday, May 27, the Museum was honored to host the military honors ceremony, reception, and free admission for Mar...
05/28/2026

On Wednesday, May 27, the Museum was honored to host the military honors ceremony, reception, and free admission for Marine veteran David Greene. We extend our gratitude for his service and his years of support for the Museum District.

Visiting the Museum today for our free admission day (open until 8PM) in honor of WWII Marine Veteran David Greene? You ...
05/27/2026

Visiting the Museum today for our free admission day (open until 8PM) in honor of WWII Marine Veteran David Greene? You may have noticed a new in progress installation on the lower level of the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum.

Work has just begun on the permanent USS Iowa BB4 exhibit! Part one was installing this mural of a lithograph created in Chicago by the Brother Jonathan Publishing Co. around 1896-1897.

Follow our progress here, and take a peek today or during your next visit. Normal summer hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM.

Join us today from 10AM-8PM. Free admission for all in honor of WWII Marine Veteran and long time Museum supporter, Davi...
05/27/2026

Join us today from 10AM-8PM. Free admission for all in honor of WWII Marine Veteran and long time Museum supporter, David Greene.

The Norris Corson Family Planetarium is included with our free admission and shows will be held at 1:30, 3, 4, 6 and 7PM.

Plan a museum day!

This free day is held in memory of David Greene, a WWII Marine veteran and long-time supporter of the museum. Thanks to his family, everyone is welcome to explore the exhibits and attend shows in the Norris Corson Family Planetarium for free.

Make sure to visit the lower level to see Ye Olde Marine Tavern, where Greene's incredible legacy lives on.

🗓️ Wednesday, May 27
⏰ 10 AM to 8 PM
🎟️ Free for all ages

In memory of WWII Marine veteran David Greene, the Grout Museum District will be offering free admission from 10AM-8PM t...
05/26/2026

In memory of WWII Marine veteran David Greene, the Grout Museum District will be offering free admission from 10AM-8PM tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27, 2026. This includes access to shows in the Norris Corson Family Planetarium.

David Greene was a long-time supporter and friend, and his family wants to ensure the community have the opportunity to explore the rich resources at the Grout Museum District. His legacy lives on in Ye Olde Marine Tavern on the Museum's lower level.

For more details on Mr. Greene's life and legacy, please visit: https://www.lockefuneralservices.com/obituaries/6541/david-greene

_________________

Pictured: In this 2012 photo David Greene of Waterloo waves the American flag standing on top of Mount Suribachi in the island of Iwo Jima, where he fought as a U.S Marine on the beach below in 1945 (photo courtesy of Paul Greene)

Address

503 South Street
Waterloo, IA
50701

Telephone

+13192346357

Website

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