Created by Curiosity

If you're curious about the museum district's history, you'd have gotten along famously with its founder, Henry Grout. The Waterloo native was curious about the world around him. That curiosity, along with his generosity, has been on display for generations of inquisitive museum visitors.

You can see Grout's interest in everything in his occupations from the 1880s through his retirement in 1918. Railroad worker. Farmer. Miner. Realtor. Traveling salesman. State legislator.

He loved to travel, to collect reminders of places he visited, and to share his 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 (now the River Plaza building on 4th Street). The current building (503 South Street) was completed in 1956 and opened to the public as a not-for-profit museum.

As the region's curiosity about its culture and natural history grew, so did the museum district, which now includes the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium, Rensselaer Russell House Museum, Snowden House, and the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum.

What began as Henry Grout's curiosity has become an entire district celebrating the region's culture and natural history of the region. Today, the district is recognized as the region's cornerstone of history, culture and science.

Museum District Milestones

1934

The Henry W. Grout Historical Museum, located on the second floor of the YMCA building, is dedicated.

1956

Due to growing demand, the Henry W. Grout Historical Museum moves from the YMCA to its present location, where it expands.

1988

The museum acquires its largest artifact, the Rensselaer Russell House, and restores it to its 1890s glory.

1993

The Bluedorn Science Imaginarium, an interactive science center, opens its doors in response to increased interest in the Grout's science programs.

1997

The museum adds the culturally and historically rich Snowden House, a Victorian Italianate architectural home, and makes it available for community events.

2008

The museum adds The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, which honors the service and sacrifice of all Iowa veterans from the Civil War to present.