There’s A Medical Museum In Iowa That’s Both Wonderfully Weird And Creepy
Iowa's Medical Museum in Iowa City offers a fascinating and slightly creepy glimpse into America's medical history with vintage tools and exhibits.
Iowa is a strange place — there's no denying it. One of the most fascinating spots in the entire state is hiding in a university building in Iowa City. Here, you'll find the Medical Museum in Iowa that will both fascinate you, and kind of creep you out.
Iowa's Medical Museum is located at the The University of Iowa Hospital, in Iowa City.
You can find the Museum and building at 200 Hawkins Dr.,
Iowa City, IA 52242.
Inside the museum, you'll find all sorts of vintage treasures that tell the story of America's medical history.
The apothecary will show you how pharmacists treated ailments in the early days of the country, with powders and potions of all sizes and colors.
One of the biggest attractions in the museum is the gorgeous but heartbreaking Iron Lung. This machine was used to keep patients breathing when stricken with a bout of Polio.
There's an impressive set of tools and instruments preserved in the Medical Museum, like these various dental tools. The dental exhibit makes a modern-day visit look like a trip to the spa.
Can you guess what these tools were used for? You might be able to tell by the saw that this was an early amputation kit. Suddenly, I'm very thankful for modern medicine!
Of course, any medical museum wouldn't be complete without a bunch of gross things in a pathology exhibit! Here are some gallstones...
... and here's a real human lung.
Despite the weird and creepy things you'll find in this Iowa Medical Museum, it's worth taking the time to appreciate the struggles, sacrifices, and commitment of Americans in our early medical history.
Our modern procedures, vaccines, medications, and treatments all stemmed from early doctors, who learned from their experiences and worked tirelessly for our health and well-being.
The Medical Museum is located in the Patient and Visitor Activities Center on the eighth floor's John W. Colloton Pavilion. The Museum is open from Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, it's open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is always free!
For more of the strangest sights in Iowa, read about The 13 Weirdest Places You Can Possibly Go In Iowa and plan a bizarre road trip.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!



















