A wide variety of artifacts, ephemera, photographs, and archives makes up the Muscatine History Collection. Items in this collection are from Muscatine County, and most are specifically tied to the City of Muscatine.

Materials have connections to local businesses (local newspaper, lumber industry, tobacco stores, etc.), well known individuals (Norman Baker, Chap Hanley, Ellis Parker Butler, Alexander Clark, etc.), specific events or activities involving local people (political campaigns, the Civil War, etc.), occasions celebrated by local people (Christmas, Valentine’s, etc.), and daily use items of exceptional quality and in good condition (quilts, coverlets, etc.). Not accepted into the collection are artifacts pertaining to service clubs and organizations with the exception of historic volunteer fire companies.