New Sioux City Public Museum

The Sioux City Public Museum system has existed since 1858, created just a few short years after Sioux City became a town in the mid 1850's. But Sioux City's history started in 1804 when Sgt. Charles Floyd was buried on what is now called Floyd's Bluff over looking the Missouri River during the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery expedition.

The new public museum is finally open in downtown Sioux City. This blogger visited for the first time today. The photo's taken and research conducted are an overview of the new facility. He will return to take photos, research and document specific parts of the history of Sioux City, Iowa.

Sioux City Public Museum Timeline:
1858: Formed by a group of local citizens the Sioux City Lyceum was founded. The purpose is to present and collect natural science specimens from around the region and beyond.

1885: the lyceum evolved into The Scientific Association and started collecting artifacts.

1903: The the Scientific Association becamse more historical in focus it becamse the Sioux City Academy of Science and Letters, which aquired the Scientific Association's collections.

1938: Sioux City Public Museum became a division of the City of Sioux City. The museum incorporates the collections of the Academy into its displays in the old Carnegie Library at the corner of 6th and Jackson.

1959: The Junior League of Sioux City deeded the John Peirce Mansion to the City for cultural/educational purposes.

1961: Sioux City Public Museum opened to the public in the John Peirce Mansion.

1974: Sioux City Public Museum becamse accredited by the American Association of Museums, (AAM).

1997: Loren D. Callendar Gallery opened in Sioux City.

1998: The Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center, housed in a 1932 towboat, becamse a division of the Museum.

2000: Need for more space, the Museum archives are moved to a downtown store front, named the Pearl Street Research Center.

2002: History website www.siouxcityhistory.org launched.

2006: The City of Sioux City aquired the 607 4th Street property for the new site of the Sioux City Public Museum.

2010: The Museum archives are moved from the Pearl Street Rersearch Center into the new museum site.

April 23, 2011: the Sioux City Public Museum opens its doors at 607 4th Street to the public.


Preview of the new Sioux City Public Museum:





















Construction on the new Sioux City Public Museum:











New Sioux City Public Museum: