Make Plans for the Grand Opening

   The expanded and relocated National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library will open to the public on Saturday, July 14, 2012. With 70 to 80 construction workers now on board, progress is slightly ahead of schedule. Abundant amounts of rain in the spring of 2011 caused delays in moving the building however, the mild fall and winter provided ideal conditions for the expansion and construction.

  When completed, the building will have a 55-seat auditorium; three galleries including a 7200 sq. ft. permanent exhibition hall; a classroom; a 5500 sq. ft. library; a reception hall for seating up to 400; a river view terrace; catering kitchen and an expanded store. Offices will be located on the second level of the new addition. With geo-thermal heating and cooling along with solar panels, the facility will be LEED certified.

   More than $25 million was raised during the capital campaign of 2010 for flood recovery of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. I-JOBS provided $10 million and a Vision Iowa grant of $2.9 million was also received by the Museum and Library.
Address: 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Special Admission Fees: Members free. Adults $12; Seniors $10; Students 13 & above (with ID) and active military $5; youngsters 6-12 $3; and 5 and under free. Admission also includes the exhibit Rising Above: the Story of  a People and the Flood located in the Kosek building, 87 Sixteenth Ave. SW. Special group tour rates available.

Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m. Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year's Day.  On July 14, open til 8 p.m.