The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa, explores the culture, history, and wildlife of America’s rivers through maritime history, river ecology, and interactive exhibits. Opened on July 18, 1982, as the Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum, it later grew into a larger complex operated by the Dubuque County Historical Society. Its campus includes the Mississippi River Center and National River Center, more than a dozen aquariums, outdoor wildlife areas, and large historical artifacts. Notable features include the National Historic Landmark steamboat William M. Black and the National Rivers Hall of Fame, established in 1985 to honor people closely connected to American rivers.