In the early 1900s, Muscatine, Iowa was known as “the Pearl Button Capital of the World.” It manufactured more than 1.5 billion mother-of-pearl buttons each year! The National Pearl Button Museum tells the story of the immigrant-entrepreneurs, the laborers, the buttons, and the mussels that put Muscatine on the map.
Visitors to the Muscatine Art Center encounter paintings made by artists recognized around the world, fascinating objects connected to Muscatine’s past, beautifully crafted decorative arts, charming period rooms, and a Japanese Garden installed nearly a century ago.
This outdoor market boasts locally-grown fresh seasonal produce from a variety of vendors. You can also find fresh-baked goods, soaps, crafts and more! There is something for everyone at the market. Live music, cooking and exercise demos make the market a fun and family-friendly destination. Every Saturday May-October: 7:30-11:30 a.m. on the corner of 3rd and Cedar Street.