Fast Facts about the Ark at the Iowa State Fair

If you are here, you have probably seen our scale model of Noah’s Ark at the Iowa State Fair. If not, please come visit us in the Varied Industries Building. The Iowa State Fair runs for 11 days in the middle of August every year.

About Noah’s Ark scale model

In our booth is a scale model built by Joe O’Connell of Indianapolis, IN. The surrounding cabinet was built by Harold Culbertson around 2003. The model is built using H.O. scale (1:87) according to the biblical dimensions of 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits tall. It built only partially complete so you can see inside the ark.

Why is there a train in the case?

The train and other accessories also use the H.O. scale and are included to show the immense size of the ark. Of course, there were no trains or the other modern structures in the display during Noah’s time. They are simply there for reference.

How does Noah’s Ark compare in size to the Varied Industries Building?

The Varied Industries Building is 480 x 230 feet with a floor space of 110,400 square feet.* The full-scale Noah’s Ark in Kentucky is built to biblical scale using a 20.4 inch cubit as a standard with dimensions of 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, 51 feet tall. It is slightly longer than the Varied Industries Building, but narrower in width. Noah’s Ark contained three floors for a total floor space of 130,350 square feet, about 18% more than the Varied Industries Building.

Why do you have dinosaurs in the display?

We believe Genesis 1 portrays God’s creation of all things. Dinosaurs would have been created on the sixth day as described in Genesis 1:24 and Adam named the animals according to their kind (Genesis 2:19-20). The book of Job describes two great beasts, the Leviathan and Behemoth, in chapters 40-42 which seem to fit the description of dinosaurs. Many dinosaurs, created on day 6, were alive at the time of Noah’s flood and would have been fossilized from their rapid burial. God also preserved two of each kind, including dinosaurs, on the Ark. So, man and dinosaurs would have lived together.

Are you associated with the full-size Ark in Kentucky?

The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KT was built and operated by Answers in Genesis. We give away materials from their ministry and we encourage our everyone to visit the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter, but we are not directly associated with their ministry. The booth was started by a man named Roger Bishop from Indianola wanting everyone to see the truth of God’s Word. The booth is currently operated by Tulip Gospel Outreach based near Pella, IA.

Where is the Ark Encounter located?

The Ark Encounter is located in northern Kentucky near Williamstown, KY a short drive south of Cincinnati, OH. The Creation Museum is located in Petersburg, KY near the Cincinnati Airport. It is about a 10 hour drive from Des Moines.

How big is the Ark Encounter?

It is 510 ft long by 85 ft wide by 51 ft tall (based on Royal Cubit of 20.4 inches).
The Biblical dimensions are 300 cubits long by 50 cubits wide by 30 cubits tall.
The Ark is 1.88 million cubic feet in volume, large enough to contain nearly 450 semi-truck trailers.

How much does it cost to visit the Ark Encounter?

Children 10 and under are always free. Prices vary for youth, adults and seniors based on entry to the Creation Museum, the Ark Encounter, or both. Find tickets here. The Ark Encounter gets about 1 million guests annually.

How long did it take to build the Ark?

According to the Biblical account, it took Noah no more than 75 years to build the Ark. The full-size Ark Encounter in Kentucky took about 6 years to complete and was funded entirely by donations and private investments.

Why did God send a flood?

According to Genesis 6:5, mankind had become wicked and it grieved God, yet Noah found favor in His eyes. So the flood was God’s judgment of wicked mankind, yet He saved Noah and his family, 8 people. After the flood, in Genesis 9:13, God promised not to destroy mankind with a flood again. It is a constant reminder of His mercy in the rainbow.

Why is there only 1 door for such a large boat?

Noah’s Ark and the flood really happened in history, but they are a picture of God’s judgement on man’s wickedness and His salvation provided through the Ark. Likewise, if we are to be saved there is only one way to be saved, to call on the name of Jesus. Jesus said Himself in John 10:9, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.” We have all sinned and are alienated from God, it is only through Jesus’ death on the cross that we are reconciled to God and saved from His wrath. The one door in the ark was symbolic of Jesus and the one way of salvation.

For more information, visit Answers in Genesis here.