To the west of the listed coordinates is the main entrance to the
Old Capitol, an iconic landmark on the University of Iowa campus.
Nothing is hidden at the listed coordinates except for a wealth of
history. To find this cache, you will need to visit the Old Capitol
Museum, research the answers to a series of questions, and solve
for the final coordinates.
Admission to the museum is free, but donations are welcome. A
handicap entrance is available on the south side of the museum. We
encourage you to take advantage of the complimentary tours provided
by the excellent museum staff. Plan to spend at least one hour on
your visit and be sure to tour all three floors of the museum. The
museum is family friendly, but please do not touch or handle any of
the artifacts.
MUSEUM HOURS:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Monday and national holidays.
BRIEF MUSEUM HISTORY
During the over 150 years that Old Capitol has served Iowa as a
seat of government and education, it has become a symbol of pride
and excellence for The University of Iowa, Iowa City and the state.
When the Old Capitol's cornerstone was laid on Independence Day in
1840, Iowa City became the first permanent capital of Iowa, where
the last four Iowa territorial legislatures met. In Old Capitol,
Iowa made the transition to statehood. Here, the first governor was
inaugurated, the first six Iowa general assemblies met, and the
state's constitution was drafted.
When the state government moved to Des Moines in 1857, Old
Capitol was deeded to The University of Iowa and became the first
building owned by the University. The UI's charter was made
official by the First Iowa General Assembly in 1847 in Old Capitol,
just 59 days after Iowa's final admission to statehood. The
University opened its doors to students in March 1855, conducting
classes in a rented building. Since 1857 Old Capitol has been a
focal point of the University, serving as library, chapel, and
armory and providing space for classrooms and offices as the
University grew. Today, it continues to serve both functionally and
symbolically, housing offices and highlighting the University's
progress.
CACHE REQUIREMENTS
To reveal the coordinates of the final cache, please tour the
museum and answer the following questions. While some answers may
be available on the internet, you will not be able to answer all of
the questions without physically visiting the museum.
1. When the University of Iowa originally moved into the Old
Capitol in 1857, the area that is now the gift shop once housed the
first gymnasium on campus. Let A = the
number of songs per cylinder of the music box on
display.
2. The President’s Office is the only wood-paneled room in the
building. During an early restoration of this room, the first
indoor toilet was installed within one of the room’s closets. The
room also features a fireplace. Let B =
the total number of fireplaces (not counting wood-burning stoves)
located throughout the first floor of the
museum?
3. As you tour the museum, you will likely notice bowls on the
floor throughout the building. You will see two on the floor of the
Governor’s Office. Can you identify the purpose of these vessels?
Let C = the number of maps hanging on the
walls of the Governor’s Office
4. The Auditor’s Office features an 1845 map of Iowa displaying
only 21 of the state’s eventual 99 counties. Find the mail slots
hanging on the wall. Let D = the total
number of small mail slots in the top three rows of this
cabinet.
5. The Treasurer’s Office features a large 3,100 pound safe in
the corner as well as examples of historical currency. Find the
display containing a variety of antique coins and calculate the
face value of these coins. Let E =
1000*($20.000 minus the sum of the coins).
6. The Territorial and State Library was intended for use by all
Iowans and not just government officials. Because books were both
rare and expensive in the 1800s, Iowans read them in the library
and could not take them home. Thus, legislators passed a law
requiring each book to be marked "Iowa State Library" at the bottom
of what page number? Let F = the page
number containing this stamp.
7. In the Supreme Court Chamber, look for a black box imprinted
with the name “C.M. __________.” Let G =
the number of letters in the last name on this black
box. Fun Bonus Question: There are six benches in
the Supreme Court Chamber. Where did the jury sit?
8. The centerpiece of the museum is the unique, self-supporting,
reverse-spiral staircase designed by John Frances Rague. Rague
actually walked off the job during the building’s construction,
taking the original plans with him. Let H
= the number of steps that lead one from the first floor to the
second floor.
9. The second floor features the House and Senate Chambers. An
1878 Steinway Piano is currently located in the Senate Chamber
along with a 650 pound chandelier. The museum sponsors a free
concert series once per month in this room. Take a look around the
House Chamber. Let J = the total number of
desks located beyond the white railing (including the Speaker’s
desk and the desks of administrative officials). Let K = the number
audience members that would be seated in the House Chamber balcony
if two people sat on each large bench.
After completing your tour, please sign the guest book by the
front door and thank the museum staff for your visit. This cache
was created with the assistance and permission of the Educational
Director of the Old Capitol Museum.
FINAL COORDINATES:
The final cache is a small camouflaged container located at (do not
multiple the numbers in parenthesis for the longitudinal
coordinates):
N 41° D.(E + F + H + J - A)
W 091° K.(G-A)(B)(2C)
You can check your answers for this puzzle on
Geochecker.com.