Culture and Community
Nestled in the center of ISU, the Farm House Museum sits as a monument to early Iowa State history and culture. The covered, screened-in side porch of the farmhouse is open daily on a drop-in basis during Farmhouse Museum hours. Keep the Farmhouse Museum porch in mind for coffee breaks, lunches or meetings with a small groups.
The Center is a space to find and build community, get involved and explore lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and ally life at ISU. As the hub of LGBTQIA+ student life on campus, The Center provides students with a lounge, access to Center staff, computer lab, table space to enhance academic progress, a wellness room and an interactive, innovation area to build LGBTQIA+ community, culture, pride, leadership and more.
Find it: 3224E Memorial Union, 2229 Lincoln Way
The Morrill Hall History Hallway features a permanent exhibit titled "Iowa State University - the Land-Grant Act and the People's College." This exhibit provides a historical timeline featuring key Iowa State historical dates, events and photos.
Find it: Lower-level Morrill Hall, 603 MORRILL ROAD
Christian Peterson’s first work of art for ISU’s campus, “The History of Dairying,” can be located within the Courtyard of the Food Science and Human Nutrition Building. Installed in 1935, the seven-panel relief mural features cows drinking from a fountain. Because of construction, the Courtyard became less accessible and the water source for the fountain was cut off in 1986. In 2013, the Fountain was revived with support from Facilities Planning and Management and funding from the Office of the Senior Vice President for Business and Finance. Visitors can enjoy lunch or a scoop of ice cream from The Creamery, while enjoying this beautiful courtyard and sculpture, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Find it: Food Sciences Bulding, 536 FARM HOUSE LANE
The George A. Jackson Black Cultural Center (BCC) serves as a foundation for African American cultural identity, education and understanding among diverse communities at ISU. The Cultural Center is a great place to explore and debate ideas, hold study groups, plan and host meetings and events, have a dinner, read a book or write a paper.
The MCC serves as a gathering space on the ISU campus. It is home to three student affinity spaces for Native American/Indigenous students, Latinx students, and Asian American, Pacific Islander and Desi American students. Located on the 2nd floor of the Memorial Union, the MCC is also a great place hold study groups or just relax.
Find it: Second Floor MU, 2229 Lincoln Way
Housed in the Campanile on central campus, the Carillon is one of the most recognized and honored landmarks and traditions at Iowa State. The Bells of Iowa State are featured in 20-minute weekday concerts at 11:50 a.m. Music requests for those concerts can be made on the Carillon website. There are many great ways to enjoy and/or learn more about the Carillon and Campanile, including tours of the Campanile (temporarily suspended), livestreamed concerts, the Carillon Festival, Summer Concert Series and events that feature the 1:5 scale replica of the Campanile and its 27-bell Carillon.
The Sloss Center is located in the historic Sloss House -- a century-old building that was once the residential home of the Sloss Family. The Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity at ISU is committed to the development of a campus community that promotes gender equity and social justice. Through a feminist lens, the Sloss Center advocates for individuals and groups, provides support/referrals and offers programming and educational resources for the advancement of gender equity.
The ISU Veterans Center is a place where the campus community can seek answers to Veteran-related questions and can connect in shared experiences with others. Center staff can assist with the unique challenges faced by Veterans in transitioning into a university setting.
Find it: 3450 Memorial Union, 2229 Lincoln Way
