State Historical Building — Attraction in Des Moines

I think I've figured this place out: it's having an identity crisis. It's like it can't decide what it wants to be when it grows up. It looks like a museum but functions like a historical society. Either that, or they are steering funding completely in the direction of events. In any case, what nets for visitors is unfortunate contradiction. First of all, the hours of operation are indeed a head-scratcher. Not exactly education-forward or doable for young families. Shame. I was genuinely shocked there wasn't anything on Amana. It's an anchoring cultural and historical presence in the state. As others have pointed out, first floor is totally vacant of exhibits. Out of burning curiosity I asked staff why. They responded curtly with, "It's reserved for events." O.k., so what? Why no mobile or featured artifact in order to better utilize the space and make it more inviting? I'm not in museum management, but I've done my time in industry and unused square footage makes me itchy. Missed opportunity big time. Again, it all depends on which mission is being served, and increasingly I'm thinking it's not wearing its museum pants. I was unpleasantly surprised that virtually nothing in the museum has changed. Exhibits are largely the same as they were thirty years ago, and lack interactivity. I'm exploding with cheap and easy ideas that fit on a wall or table, and they don't even involve a screen: crafts that echo a historic artifact (i.e. build-a-whatever out of paper). Public journaling invitations: "What does it mean to be an Iowan?"/"Memories of living in x place in y time." etc. etc. etc. Literally off the top of my head just now. Culturally, white history of the state is foregrounded, which does not reflect the rich cultural heritage of our area. I do appreciate that at least linear time is preserved which keeps the flow of the experience. Personally, I don't think this is the product of much intention, but rather a function of the general datedness. Also, lighting is extremely low. Most exhibits are in virtual darkness, including the children's area. It's not enjoyable or intuitive to be in lighting so dark that you can't tell which color crayon you're using. Seriously. Oh yeah, and, the carpeting looks and smells like it hasn't been cleaned in QUITE a while. C'mon, Des...

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Museum great, Cafe Experience was rough.

My wife and her parents and our 21 month old daughter visited today. We want to have lunch in the museum cafe but we were turned away because we brought a tiny lunch box for my little girl since she's needing to eat certain things to keep her calorie intake high. She's 3rd percentile for weight so it's important. The four of us were going to order food that would have totaled around $50. But because we "brought in outside food" we were turned away. Frustrating. I had just topped off our parking meter for two hours so we could see the rest of the museum but we had to leave and go somewhere...