If you have been reading my articles, than Mississippi
river’s enchantment on me is no secret. I had mentioned before about the Great
River Road, a scenic byway that passes through ten states on both sides of the
Mississippi River (https://
“Let us permit the nature to have her way: she understands
her way better than we do.” A quote by Michel Eyquem de Montaigne was one of
many in the museum. The museum had 37 permanent exhibits. The first set of exhibits had many such
quotes sprinkled all over. One thing that touched me emotionally was all those
quotes and what different explorers, authors, leaders, and visitors felt about
the Mississippi river. I urge you read Mark Twain after visiting this museum
and you will realize why he fell in love with the mighty Mississippi. Read my
favorite quotes from the museum on my blog:
http://mihirjaiswal.blogspot.
Dubuque was a unique location for the museum. Most of the
residential area in Dubuque was on cliffs with picturesque views of the river.
Airbnb I stayed in had a spectacular view of the river from the windows of my
room. The museum was on the banks of the river spanned over two large buildings
and an outdoor area. Unlike other obscure museums I have been to, the National
Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium was bustling with people.
The highlight for me was exhibits describing different
features of a river and specifying how those features look on the mighty
Mississippi. Flood table and erosion table let me run simulations of different
flood and erosion events and their effects on riverbeds. In addition, planks
surrounding the board explained Mississippi’s flood and erosion plains, and how
human activities and environmental factors affected them over the years. Bayou
and backwater marsh were even more interesting. They had alligators and
turtles, which frequent bayous and marshlands. Backwater marshlands, a type of
wetlands, have been seriously decreasing in area due to urban development
posing a serious risk of flood, erosion, and pollution. Main channel, down in
delta and Gulf of Mexico aquarium exhibits highlighted different aquatic
wildlife habitats of the Mississippi. Flooded forest and the otter habitat
dived deeper into diverse wildlife.
As I entered the museum, a large river map of the United
States greeted me on the left wall, while a floor map of the Mississippi river
guided through the landmarks of the river. A cool screen with a dial enabled me
to travel from headwaters to the mouth. I could rotate the dial to adjust the
speed of my travel, point of view being a low flying aircraft. I was hooked to
the museum after that very first exhibit. River alterations exhibit explained
different types of alterations, most common being dams as well as their
positive and detrimental effects on the river. The museum also had first people
exhibition outlining ancient civilizations of Mississippian culture. On the
other side, several stories of explorers shed light on old and modern history.
In addition, it had a blacksmith shop, an exhibit on boat
engine making, a harbor, a theater describing journey on the river, a boat
shop, a boat launch, a sand and gravel barge, a conservation lab, national
rivers hall of fame, a space wall and many more exhibits. Rivers and Roads
exhibit described importance of river as transportation especially before big
highways and air travel. The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium was
comprehensive covering every bit of river soul in it.
Visit Dubuque for this amazing experience. Mississippi river
banks have history, nature, serene landscape and culture in areas surrounding
Dubuque. Iowa does not come up in conversation often, but you will bring it to
the conversation more after your visit Dubuque and surrounding areas. Here is
the website to explore some parts of the museum virtually during the social
distancing: https://www.rivermuseum.com/
