Welcome to the Pentacrest Museums
The University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums feature both permanent and changing exhibits, educational programming, historic research collections care, and special events at the Old Capitol Museum and the Museum of Natural History.
The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
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University of Iowa
Old Capitol Museum
MISSION
We serve to strengthen the vital role of both Museums in the educational, research, and engagement missions of the University, enhancing the campus-wide focus on cultural and environmental diversity.
What's new?
The Pentacrest is a proud new location for a new tree planting—a sapling propagated from the immense horse chestnut tree that grew in the courtyard behind the annex where Anne Frank and her family hid for 761 days during World War II. This living symbol of Anne’s spirit and humanitarian message is the 13th Anne Frank Sapling to be planted in the United States. Anne's tree is a stop on our Tree Tour and worth visiting next time you're here.
MAMMAL HALL film to debut to live museum audience, Saturday, January 15th, 2022.
PBS Special featuring Museum of Natural History: Greetings from Iowa!
PBS Special featuring Iowa City and The Old Capitol: Historic Buildings of Iowa
UI Pentacrest Museums Director of Research Collections honored with Skorton Award.
Museum Zebra gets x-ray in interdepartmental collaboration for conservation.
Sara Pinkham's A "Clucktion" of Vintage Chickens installation feature in My Collections.
UIPM upcoming events:
Book Club @ the Museum
Students, join the book club that meets monthly inside the iconic Old Capitol Museum, with books of all genres, chosen by you. Come read, wonder, and connect as we transform this timeless building into a cozy retreat for shared stories and spirited discussion in the Pentacrest Museums first ever student book club.
For the Spring 2026 semester, Book Club @ the Museum will meet on the following Mondays from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Old Cap:
February 2 (Please note: for February's book club meeting...
