Pentacrest Museums Old Capitol Mall

Free access to Iowa history in Pentacrest Museums

Hawkeyes can discover a rich well of information — from Iowa’s prehistoric creatures to our foundations as a state — in the museums on the Pentacrest.

The University of Iowa features two museums on the Pentacrest: the Museum of Natural History in Macbride Hall and the Old Capitol Museum in the Old Capitol. Both museums are free of charge and open to the public. Both museums have been in operation for more than 150 years and serve to educate the community about Iowa history. The Museum of Natural History is home to 500 million years of Iowa’s cultural and natural heritage. Visitors can walk through six different exhibits that cover Iowa history from the Jurassic period to the present and learn how it affects the story of agriculture. The Biosphere Discovery Hub contains 10,000 years of Iowa’s changing natural and cultural landscape and visitors can also view over 1,000 birds on display in the William and Eleanor Hageboeck Hall of Birds. The Old Capitol, now a museum, served as Iowa’s first state capitol from 1846-1857 until the state’s capital was changed from Iowa City to Des Moines. The building has been beautifully restored to present period-decorated rooms and a mix of new gallery spaces. The museum leads public outreach initiatives, educational programming, exhibitions, and encourages academic scholarship to emphasize the importance of the humanities. Because of COVID-19 both museums are currently open for limited hours. They are closed from Sunday to Thursday and open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

{The Museum of Natural History is home to 500 million years of Iowa’s cultural and natural heritage The Old Capitol served as Iowa’s first state capitol from 1846 -1857

The Old Capitol Mall is seen on May 15.

The Old Capitol Mall is a popular food stop for students, partially because it’s located near the Pentacrest and partially because it offers a variety of popular chain restaurants and local Asian cuisines. Although some restaurants were closed during the pandemic, The Old Capitol Mall still offers plenty of dining options, including Buffalo Wild Wings, Chipotle, Bubble Pop, and the recently opened Bollywood Grill. In addition to its numerous places to eat, The Old Capitol Mall has convenient places to shop. Asia Plus makes a great stop for college students seeking affordable microwavable ramen that’s a step above what one would find in a typical grocery store, Sweets and Treats is a quick fix for a sugar craving, and CVS offers all that a college student might need for a dorm or apartment. The second floor of the Old Capitol Mall is mostly UI offices, including Information Technology Services, International Programs, the UI Office of Sustainability, and the Center for Diversity and Enrichment.

Daniel McGregor-Huyer/ The Daily Iowan

Old Capitol Mall

DIRECTORY

• Blick Art Materials • All About Phones • Glassando • Hills Bank & Trust • Sunkissed • Iowa City Transit • Advanced EyeCare • CVS Pharmacy • Noodles & Co. • Buffalo Wild Wings • China Star • Chipolte Mexican Grill • Candy Nails • Le Gourmet • TSpoons • Cookies and More • Sweets and Treats • Seoul Grill • UI QuickCare • Bubble Pop • Ichiban • Hawkeye Fan Shop • Asia Plus • Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steak Burgers • Panera Bread • Massage Oriental • HOJA • Bollywood Grill

Old Capitol Town Center 201 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA (319) 338-7858