Groundbreaking Celebrates Major Milestone
During a ground breaking ceremony today, the board of directors of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) announced they have met a major milestone in the recovery and rebirth of the museum campus following the June 2008 flood devastation. Thanks to generous funding from the State of Iowa, individuals and businesses in the Cedar Rapids area, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) public assistance, and national and international donors, the NCSML reached its capital fund raising goal of $25 million, allowing the museum to break ground today at the site of the new museum and library.
“What an overwhelming feeling to be standing here, with all of you, on the very ground where we faced the destruction of our museum in 2008. It’s a triumphant feeling knowing that, because all of you care so much, we really are rebuilding the future. I can see, clearly and with confidence, a world-class museum and library right here opening in 2012,” said Sue Olson, chair of the NCSML Board of Directors. “I believe we’ve been guided by the spirit of our Czech and Slovak forebears.”
Closing the gap on the $25 million capital campaign goal occurred when the last dollar was raised to meet the $3 million matching grant from The Hall-Perrine Foundation, which challenged the NCSML to raise $6 million, or $2 dollars for each $1 dollar of the grant.
“The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is a shining example of recovery and rebirth. The Hall-Perrine Foundation is proud to be a partner in growing this distinctive institution and improving the quality of life in Cedar Rapids and in the state of Iowa. Their foresight and commitment to grow and expand their services and programs is certainly inspirational and well-deserving of this $3 million challenge grant,” said Jack Evans, president of The Hall-Perrine Foundation.
“As we were nearing our campaign goal, we were awaiting the official approval of our project from FEMA. On December 3, 2010, we were notified that FEMA approved our improved project application. With that news, we got ready to break ground and celebrate how far we’ve come,” said Gail Naughton.
Today’s ceremony was held on the building site followed by a reception at the NCSML’s Kosek Building, its home since the flood. Site preparation has begun, with the move of the damaged building scheduled for May 2011, and opening of the new expanded NCSML in May 2012.
Lt. General Ron Dardis, executive director of the Rebuild Iowa Office; Gary Rozek, NCSML building and grounds committee chair, Sue Olson, chair of the NCSML board of directors, and Gail Naughton, president/CEO, spoke during the ceremony.
Other guests wielding shovels at Wednesday’s groundbreaking were: Mayor Ron Corbett; Regenia Bailey, chairwoman, Vision Iowa Board; Jack Evans, president, The Hall-Perrine Foundation; Don Pafko, Slovak Honorary Consul from Minneapolis; Lou Barta Barron, Linn County Supervisor and secretary of the board of directors of NCSML; Linda Langston, chair of the Linn County Board of Supervisors; Rob Hogg, Wally Horn and Bob Dvorsky, State Senators; and Tyler Olson and Kirsten Running-Marquardt, State Representatives.
“With this groundbreaking, we are honoring and representing the endurance of people who endeavored through centuries to protect and improve their way of life. The people who struggled to be free, to be themselves, who settled new lands, learned new ways, yet retained their cultural identity and heritage, “ said Naughton. “We are not only moving and expanding a Cedar Rapids icon, we are also leaping into a bold new future for the NCSML and for Cedar Rapids.”
In addition to expansion by 30,000 sq. ft. and relocation of the heritage building, plans also include renovating two historic homes for tours, design and installation of a new permanent exhibition, and establishment of the Kosek building as a permanent part of the NCSML campus. To date 302 donors have contributed to the capital campaign, 75 percent of whom are from Iowa. Fifty-six volunteers assisted in telling the story in the Cedar Rapids area. Naughton also noted that over $1 million was leveraged from national and international donors.
The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is the leading United States institution preserving and interpreting Czech and Slovak history and culture. For more information, visit www.NCSML.org