The Des Moines Historical Museum's collection contains thousands of artifacts, images, and monographs. These objects and pictures describe historical events, work, entertainment, and everyday living from homestead days in the 1870's to the present. See the tools and toys people really used when Des Moines was too small and remote to have electricity, bus service, or shopping malls. Then move on to more modern times, when power and the automobiles brought faster communication, mobility, and emergency services. The Des Moines Historical Museum is a time capsule of the city and of America itself.

Read and research the city's history, using the newspaper collection (starting in 1946) and thousands of images. The museum's image archives include photographs, glass negatives, and tintypes.

Some items date back to pioneer days. One of the oldest is a handmade doll, probably from the 1840's or 1850's. There are early business machines, antique clothing (and the machines used to make and launder it), an early telephone switchboard, musical instruments, games, typewriters, first aid supplies, police and fire fighters memorabilia, and exhibits related to transportation, public safety, defense... a picture of human history. With help from the 4Cuture Hotel/Motel Tax Revenue, a permanent maritime exhibit is now on display in the museum. Visit, remember, and help build the future of the Des Moines Historical Museum.