Sioux City Public Museum

The Sioux City Public Museum explores the history of the city and surrounding region. It features permanent exhibits about Native Americans, transportation, and agriculture. Highlights include a 12-minute introductory video, an interactive map of the Siouxland region, Native American artifacts dating to 1100 A.D., a tipi, a pioneer log cabin, two 20th-century trucks, a 1918 fire truck, and a Kari-Keen airplane. The museum offers a variety of educational programs and houses a collection containing items including Native American objects, clothing, firearms, furniture, and military memorabilia. The museum also owns and operates the Peirce Mansion and the Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center.

It appears the museum first opened in September 1960 in a library building before moving into the Peirce Mansion in 1961. Real estate developer John Peirce built the mansion in 1893. Erected with Sioux Quartzite stone, it is an impressive structure featuring a wraparound porch, stone arches, and turrets. It remained a private residence until 1951 when it became a residence for student nurses. In 1958, the Junior League of Sioux City bought the mansion then sold it to the city. In 1978, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The museum moved to its current location, a former JCPenny's store, in 2011.

"The John Peirce Mansion." Sioux City Public Museum. Accessed March 29, 2022. http://www.siouxcitymuseum.org/john-peirce-mansion-history.

"Sioux Citian To Talk Here". The Telegraph-Herald. April 1, 1964. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RZ9FAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gbwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6904,4594194&dq=sioux+city+public+museum&hl=en.

"Visitor Experience." Sioux City Public Museum. Accessed March 29, 2022. http://www.siouxcitymuseum.org/visitor-experience.

Zerschling, Lynn. "New Sioux City Public Museum will open April 23." Sioux City Herald. Marcg 27, 2011. https://siouxcityjournal.com/special-section/local/rec/article_6d3cc7af-49d9-575e-af35-70844124430f.html.