The Grout Museum houses varied collections relating to natural and local history. It opened in 1956, with funding provided by the estate of Henry W. Grout.

The Museum's exhibits and planetarium provide an introduction to earth sciences, pioneer life, the history of technology and other subjects. The Museum also contains a reference library, including one of northeast Iowa's largest collections of genealogy books.

The original building was enlarged in 1990, and the museum now includes two other units: the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium, located at 322 Washington Street and the Rensselaar Russell House at 520 West Third Street.

The Museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 4:30 p.m., September through May, and Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., June, July and August. The Museum is also open on Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m. Planetarium programs are held every Saturday at 2 p.m. and weekdays at 2 p.m. during the summer. Admission is free.

For more information about the collections and programs of the Grout Museum, call 273-6357.

Grout Museum's Online Webpage