Clinton is the county seat of Clinton County, Iowa, with a population of 24,469 as of the year 2020. The city is named for DeWitt Clinton, the sixth governor of New York. This small town boasts several things to do during your stay. You can check out the River Arts Center, Eagle Point Park, Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science, and Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum.

River Arts Center

The River Arts Center is Clinton’s only art gallery, and its mission is to increase public awareness of the arts and foster community involvement in a quality arts environment. The center offers exhibits that are free and open to the public, and hosts workshops and classes from nationally known and local artists. It also houses the Best Cellar Theatre, which presents year-round performances that feature local talent.

The River Arts Center features a 492-seat proscenium theater, a fly space stage, and orchestra pit, along with full-featured technical equipment. The facility also includes a 2,400-square-foot multi-purpose space. It is attached to the Sauk Prairie High School, but offers separate entrances for events. Besides the theater, the River Arts Center also has a dance studio, a recording studio, and other performance spaces.

Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science

The Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science in Davenport, Iowa, is a museum and science center dedicated to the study of history and natural science. It was established in 1867, making it one of the oldest museums west of the Mississippi River. Visitors can explore the museum’s exhibits and learn about local and regional history and science.

The Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science in the Quad Cities is committed to education and outreach programs. It supports national and state efforts to advance STEM education. In addition to presenting world-class exhibits, the Putnam Museum has a thriving outreach program that educates students on everything from ancient Egypt to the Civil War to chemistry.

During the 19th century, Mrs. Putnam began collecting historical artifacts. She was an active member of the Academy and was instrumental in acquiring the Presbyterian Church next to the museum. She was also an advocate of collecting plant specimens, and her contributions were vital to the development of the museum.

In 1974, the Putnam Museum received a significant donation of pre-Columbian gold jewelry. In addition to acquiring the collection, the museum changed its name to honor the family’s generosity. In 1986, the museum was endowed with the Shorey Mineral Collection, which includes more than 500 specimens of minerals from around the world.

UI Museum of Natural History

The UI Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum located on the campus of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The museum was founded in 1858 as a cabinet of natural history by the Iowa General Assembly. Since then, it has been a popular destination for visitors from around the world.

The museum has expanded its programs and features. In February, the museum introduced a new art-writing event called “Art & Write Night.” The program welcomes artists to visit the museum after hours to use its collections as inspiration for a piece of artwork. The event will be held the first Friday of each month.

The Plaid Sweater is considered Wood’s most significant portrait. It was commissioned by the artist’s mother shortly after American Gothic was completed. While Wood was unsure whether to paint Blumberg in his Sunday best, his mother suggested that he paint him wearing a plaid sweater. In the end, Blumberg donated the painting to the university. The painting underwent cleaning and restoration in 2018. The restoration process restored the original vibrancy of the red sweater and the signature blue sky.

The University of Iowa is located on the homelands of several Native American tribes. The campus is home to Ojibwe/Anishinaabe, Chippewa, Baxoje, Kiikaapoi, and Oma. The campus is also close to the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History and the Iowa Children’s Museum.