Location

The museum is located in the Lyons District in Clinton, Iowa. We are located along the Mississippi River, Historic Lincoln Highway Byway, and just off the Great River Road. The address is 2231 Grant Street Clinton, Iowa. Please follow your GPS or just take Main Avenue down towards the river. 

About The Sawmill Museum
Once known as the “Lumber Capital of the World,” Clinton, Iowa’s pivotal role in the lumber industry and expansion of the West makes it ideally suited to host the lumber museum and learning center.  The museum’s permanent exhibit will house some original pieces from the Struve Mill which was operational from 1860′s – 1980′s in Hauntown, Iowa.  This exhibit is important because it tells the story of how lumber was processed from living tree to finished product which was then used locally for commercial and residential purposes.  The equipment has been generously donated by Mrs. Helen (Struve) Cotton.  The museum also houses an early 20th century working saw mill.

Vision Statement
The Sawmill Museum strives to be a national leader for the interpretation and exploration of our country’s lumber history. The Museum will serve as a resource for learning, dialogue, preservation, and research and will offer balanced opportunities and voices for industry, government, and private groups and citizens alike.


Our affiliations
The museum is a proud member and supporter of the following organizations: 
American Bus Association: The museum is always open for tour buses. No advance booking needed, but preferred. Tour bus rates are $3 per person. 
Iowa Museum Association: Celebrate Museum Week every week! 
The Great River Road and Mississippi River Parkway Commission: One of around 70 national interpretative centers for the Great River Road. 
Clinton County Development Association 
State Historical Society of Iowa
Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce
Clinton Conventions and Visitors Bureau: Take a look at all the other things there are to do in the Clinton Region
Silos and Smokestacks

The mission of The Sawmill Museum is to preserve, collect, interpret, and explore the history of America’s sawmill, lumber, and forestry industries. Centered around the story of Clinton, Iowa’s rich lumber history, the museum features dynamic exhibits, programs, and events that explore the history of these industries, their current practices, and future opportunities and challenges.

Board of Directors
Mark Mangler, Vice President
Ron Kircher, Treasurer
Louise Laurent, Secretary 
Robert Holesinger
Eric Johnson
Robert Alt
Eddie Dunham 
Pete Clausen 
Joe Buikema
Ari Lewerenz
​Ann Eisenman  
​
Staff
Matt Parbs, Executive Director
​Kaitlyn Evers, Assistant Director 

The Gateway Community is the perfect

vacation and staycation spot for

​families.

Visit Clinton's CVB Page for More Places to Visit: 
1. Eagle Point Park
2. Felix Adler Children's Discovery Center
3. Clinton Showboat
4. Clinton County Historical Society 
5. Mississippi River EcoTourism Center 
6. Windmill Cultural Center
7. Heritage Canyon 
8. Bickelhaupt Arboretum 
9. Clinton LumberKings Baseball
10. Clinton Symphony Orchestra 
11. Prairie Pastures Dog Park
12. Clinton's Women's Club/Curtis Mansion

Festivals: 

1. Dutch Days in Fulton: First Weekend of May (Canceled in 2020)
2. Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast: First Sunday in May 
3. Main Avenue Craft Fair: The weekend before Mother's Day 
4. Farmer's Market in Lyons on Wednesdays and Saturdays
5. Adler Festival at Children's Discovery Center: Mid June
6. Clinton 4th of July Festival 
7. Clinton Half-Marathon ​Usually in September 
8. Symphony of Lights: November 22-December 30th
9. Canadian Pacific Holiday Train: Every other year, the CP Holiday Train visits in front of The Sawmill Museum 
10. B-rrry Scurry: Held in February by the Community College