Place/Event: Wells Fargo History Museum
Location: 666 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Cost: Free
Grade/age range: All ages are welcome.
Group size: Small & large groups. Guided tours available.
Hands-on: Yes
Stroller friendly: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Food: No
We have been hearing about the Wells Fargo History Museum for a while now and finally ventured over for a visit. The museum did not disappoint! With over a dozen hands-on-exhibits geared toward all ages, visitors can easily spend an hour enjoying the displays.
The most famous display is the interactive stage coach. Children can dress up in period costumes, ride inside the coach while watching a video about 1800’s travel, or try their hand at holding leather reins and driving.
Nearby is a life size stage coach with stunning detail. A perfect photographic backdrop. Take a picture with the “old fashion” camera and have it emailed to you.
I find that when visiting a smaller museum, the children learn more because there is a specific focus. Instead of spending a lot of time running around trying to “see everything” that some larger museums offer, the children spend more time on a few high quality exhibits.
The Wells Fargo History Museum has several unique interactive exhibits including a Morse Code machine and telegraph display which are connected to other Wells Fargo museums around the country.
My children enjoyed punching all the buttons and trying out the different devices. Detailed signage explains the machines and their uses.
The Wells Fargo History Museum is located in the front portion of the downtown bank. However, even though customers were arriving to conduct their banking business, this did not interrupt our time at the displays which are located off to the sides of the main entryway.
Customers and museum visitors alike use the main street level doors to access the bank and museum. Elevators also connect the bank and museum to the skywalk system.
Downtown Des Moines has recently undergone a new parking plan. Find out more information for parking here.
Make it a fun day in downtown Des Moines and visit Cowles Commons Fountain in the summer time, or the State Historical Museum. There is plenty to do, see and learn in the metro!
Very cool! Gotta check this out whenever we’re in the area.
Looks like a great hands on museum with lot of great history for the kids to learn. I agree with you at smaller museums the kids are more focused on the exhibits and less running around.
Same thing Teresa for a larger museum. If we get a season pass and make smaller focused visits, we learn more. 🙂
Who knew? I’ll have to check this out the next time I’m in Des Moines. It looks like a hidden treasure!
There are several other similar museums in other major cities. You might find one near you!
Hello! This museum was permanently closed as of March 2020 – it closed to move to a new location and then the decision was made to close all Wells Fargo Museum locations outside of San Francisco. Thanks for sharing your experience there while it was open!