Pearl Button Museum - Muscatine, Iowa

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 Pearl Button Museum - Muscatine, Iowa.

The pearl button industry is arguably Muscatine’s most unique contribution to the history of the United States and, therefore, must be collected, preserved, and interpreted.

Muscatine was known as the "Pearl Button Capital of the World" because of the many factories producing buttons from the Mississippi River clams. At its peak, nearly half of the local workforce was involved in some aspect of button manufacturing.

The Museum showcases the equipment and memorabilia showing the button making process.

There are plans to develop a new permanent exhibition on the pearl button industry. Colorful graphics panels, hands-on activities, a river diorama, and new display cases will be installed in the recently renovated space.

Location: 117 West Second Street

Hours: Noon - 4:00pm Tuesday - Saturday & by appointment

Admission: Free but donations are accepted