Old Cap in June

There are a lot of things to do this summer at Old Capitol Museum, and here are a few highlights of some upcoming events and exhibits:

~Have you ever wanted to try your hand at the dancing that Jane Austen wrote about in her novels? You'll have a chance this Saturday, June 20 at 7 pm in the Senate Chamber here at Old Capitol. Members of the English Country Dancers of Iowa City will teach visitors the steps to several English country dances. There is no dress requirement and you can come with or without a partner as everyone will be partnered up for the dances. Click here to read the full University of Iowa press release.


~The evening of dancing complements the current exhibit in the Hanson Humanities Galleries: "'Fresh Threads of Connection': Mother Nature and British Women Writers." The exhibit features writers such as Jane Austin, Beatrix Potter, Charlotte Brontë, and Mary Shelley. The exhibit will be on display until July 26, 2009. To read the full University of Iowa press release, click here.


~A new exhibit of photos from the June 2008 Iowa floods is also on display in the Old Capitol this summer. The photos will be on display through July 31 in the Second Floor Rotunda of the building. Taken from University Relations' collection of photos, the displays highlight the rising waters of the Iowa River, preparations for the flood, cleanup, the ongoing renewal of the campus, and creative ways the University has dealt with the flood.


~Also through July, posters highlighting some of the work done by University of Iowa researchers as a result of the 2008 floods will be on display in the first floor hallways of the museum. Six research posters are currently on display, which will be rotated with 6 different posters on July 7. For more information about flood-related research, click here.


~In addition to the flood photos in the Second Floor Rotunda, there are also a collection of decorative plates featuring various University of Iowa buildings (including Old Capitol!), including a series of plates from the 1930s.





Of course, the restored period rooms on the first and second floors are open, and we have our regular hours during the summer:


Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, Saturday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Mondays and national holidays

As always, the museum, and its exhibits and programs are free! The museum is designed for self-guided tours, but if you'd like to schedule a guided tour, just contact the museum at 319.335.0548.

We hope to see you at the museum this summer!