The University of Iowa's Museum of Natural History houses a large collection of specimens dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s when students went on expeditions for scientific research.

- The collections has over 31,000 birds, eggs, and nests, and more than 5,000 mamalian study skins, skulls, skeletons.
- The museum's bird collection includes nearly all species recorded as residents or seasonal visitors to Iowa, with over 1,000 birds on display.
- The museum was founded by order of the Iowa Legislature in 1858 and it is the oldest university museum west of the Mississippi River.
- The century-old Laysan Island Cyclorama offers a 360-degree view of Laysan, an outpost of the Hawaiian atoll and a bird sanctuary.