Grout Museum

The Grout Museum District is a set of museums in Waterloo, Iowa. The District consists of the Grout Museum of History & Science, Bluedorn Science Imaginarium, Rensselaer Russell House Museum, Snowden House and the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum.

General history

The museum started with the private collection and endowment of Henry W. Grout, a Waterloo financier and legislator. The original Henry W. Grout Historical Museum was dedicated in October 1934.

The district is a nonprofit educational entity that is active in engaging the students and all people from the surrounding communities. The district is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

Grout Museum of History & Science

If you're curious about the museum's history, you'd have gotten along famously with its founder, Henry Grout. The Waterloo native was curious about the world around him. That curiosity, along with his generosity, has been on display for generations of inquisitive museum visitors.

You can see Grout's interest in everything from his occupations in the 1880s through his retirement in 1918. Railroad worker. Farmer. Miner. Realtor. Traveling salesman. State legislator.