THE SAWMILL MUSEUM
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Experience Clinton as a Lumber Capital

How Lumberjacks Lived in the Northwoods

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Our multiple exhibits on lumberjacks show the tools, the scenes, and realities of life in the Northwoods. The feature is our kid sized lumberjack camp.  Feel like you really are living as a lumberjack in the Northwood. Cut down a tree and float down the river. 

Steamboat Captain of Log Rafts 

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To get the logs from the Northwoods to Clinton's sawmill, dozens of steamboats went by every day delivering their loads of logs. The water table, created by Boss Displays, recreates that industry and allows guests to pilot their own boat and discover Clinton. 

Job Qualifications of a Raftman

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Coming in the summer of 2018: Before steamboats, raftsmen were called floaters and floated log rafts through the tributaries and down the Mississippi. This exhibit, created by Eureka Exhibits, brings to life the floating raft through an immersive, arcade game like experience. The seats move, the wind blows, the River flows in front of you as you guide thousands of logs to the mill. 

Sawmill Industry & Woodworking Industry

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These exhibits showcase our working sawmill, Struve Mill, and other woodworking equipment. 

Lumber Barons of Clinton

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Discover the families that had its roots in Clinton, conquered the nation, and left a long lasting local legacy. Learn the stories behind the names of the Youngs, the Lambs, the Joyces, the Struves. This exhibit created by Garner Holt Production depicts our lumber barons as they are for us to see, captured in their gilded frames. The animatronics tell a vivid story. Outside the exhibit is our growing lumber baron collection.  

Legacy of The Lumber Industry 

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A gallery of blueprints and pictures of the legacy left by the lumber barons and the businesses and people who rebuilt the town after the sawmills closes. 


​What Else To Do 

Sawmill Museum Train
When the weather is nice outside (above 60 degrees), the museum has a trackless train to ride. Rides are $2 per person. 
Gift Shop: one of a kind items made by our sawyers
The museum's gift shop is full of unique gifts. With multiple local consignors, the museum features many one of a kind wooden items along with Sawmill themed apparel and items. Not to mention lots of toys for the kids and history books for the adults. 
Museum scavenger hunt
Download our museum wide scavenger hunt

Located along the Mississippi River at the crossroads of the Great River Road and the Lincoln Highway, ​ come discover when Clinton was at the crossroads of lografts, sawmills, and railroads. 


Hours

Tu-Sat: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm
Monday: 1pm-6pm
Museum is closed on Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and January 1

Admission Prices

Adults (13 & Above): $6.00
Children (4-12): $5.00
Children 0-3: Free
​​Memberships: Family for $80, Individual for $25, Duo for $45

Group Rates Available for 15 (Must Call At Least 24 Hours in Advance)
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Address

2231 Grant Street
​PO Box 3191
​Clinton, Iowa 52732

Contact

563.242.0343
Matt: ​director@thesawmillmuseum.org
Kaitlyn: ​education@thesawmillmuseum.org
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Support Us
    • Volunteering
  • Education Corner
    • History
    • Collection
    • Live Mississippi River Cam
    • Field Trips 101
  • Memberships
  • Events
    • CountrySchool
    • SpeakerSeries