Cedar Rapids Attractions

The National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids features the exhibit "Homelands". It is the story of the Czech and Slovak people from the days of Slavic tribes wandering into Central Europe, through the Velvet Divorce in 1993. Over 250 objects, including works of art, a 1935 Czech-made motorcycle and Czech and Slovak folk costumes are on display.

Brucemore is a Queen Anne style mansion built in Cedar Rapids between 1884 and 1886. Formal gardens, a pool and natural timber area with a pond are features of the grounds. Visitors can attend musical events, fine arts performances, holiday celebrations, and garden walks.

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art features a collection of paintings from the early twentieth century including collections of works by Grant Wood, Marvin D Cone, and Mauricio Lasansky. The museum also has contemporary Midwestern painting and photography.

The Iowa Masonic Library building was completed in 1955 and replaced the original building on the same location which had been built in 1884. The library has more than 100,000 volumes, both Masonic and general books.

The Science Station in Cedar Rapids is currently housed in the Lindale Mall. Over 130 hands-on exhibits feature light, sound, optical illusion and electricity.

Visitors to the Carl & Mary Koehler History Center can travel back in time to Cedar Rapids of 1900 through the virtual reality exhibit. Other exhibits feature the businesses and families that shaped Cedar Rapids and Linn County.

The permanent section of our gallery depicts the history of Linn County with artifacts from regional businesses, farms, grist mills, and prairies of the past to a collection of Civil War artifacts, radio equipment from Rockwell, formerly known as Collins Radio, and an original Maxen Electric Auto.

The History Center is also home to the Linge Library; a collection of oral interviews, news clippings, books, maps, and reference materials available to the public, staffed with volunteers who help with visitor's inquiries.