As I drove up to the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids, I felt like I was approaching a temple of cultural heritage. In the permanent exhibit, “Endless Possibilities,” I went on a journey from the heartland of Africa to present-day America. I first learned about traditional African culture, then boarded a slave ship headed for North America. Next I uncovered a fugitive hiding on the underground railroad, toured a church and school in rural Iowa, and protested at Kat’s lunch counter. Finally I witnessed President Obama’s historic victory in the Iowa caucus.

I really appreciated how the entire exhibit was an immersive experience. The museum successfully transported me to moments in the past so I could see for myself how history was made. In the villages of Africa, traditional instruments were available for me to play. The slave ship offered a place for me to physically lie down and experience what it would feel like to be chained next to someone as cargo for months. The path used doors labeled “White Only” and “Colored” with matching drinking fountains. As someone who never lived during the era of segregation, it was very powerful to see those separate but (not) equal facilities. Each of these real-life displays contributed to the institution’s goal of teaching African American history while working together to shape the future.²

The artifacts dated from 1200 to 2002 and truly brought the history to life.¹ Since most of these objects were connected to average citizens, they purposefully showed the reality of the time and place described. The viewers could find personal meaning in the everyday objects.³

Overall I found the African American Museum of Iowa to be educationally stimulating and emotionally impactful. The variety of educational information--from descriptive text to physical experiences to visual objects--worked together to tell the story of African American history while focusing on its importance in Iowa. I found it encouraging that the displays highlighted local and personal stories. In my opinion, the African American Museum of Iowa was comprehensive, impactful, and concise in explaining why African American history is important in Iowa.

I felt like I was walking into the National Museum of Natural History when the rotunda appeared on my screen. Having never been to this museum before, I enjoyed exploring all the exhibits had to offer. It was the very next best thing to being there in person, and I think that's the whole point. Museums are destinations. Not everyone has a world-class museum in his or her backyard, but now everyone can have it at his or her fingertips with this online tour. It's even offered in virtual reality if you have that technology!

Overall the virtual tour was extremely well-done. The images were very high quality, so I could zoom in and read the information plaques for most objects; however, no additional information was provided for unreadable panels. There were even close-up pictures available that offered more detail than I could ever see in person. The space was also easy to navigate by using the arrows, pictures, mouse navigation, or floor plan. I could look up and down and side to side to take in every inch of the space as I would if I was actually there.