Clinton Sawmill Museum

Clinton Sawmill Museum Description

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 commerical 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. In addition to the Struve Mill exhibit, The Sawmill Museum is hosting traveling exhibit from October 1, 2011 – September 3, 2012. Family members of all ages can discover the wonders of trees in the Nature Explore Traveling Exhibit, “Exploring Trees Inside and Out,”. This national aclaimed exhibit contains pieces and parts of a tree – in larger-than-life scale – which enables visitors to take a walk through the inside of a tree trunk and through the veins of the leaves. Visitors will also experience the sights, sounds and scents of trees, and will leave the exhibit with a greater understanding and appreciation of trees and the key role they play in our daily lives.