Museum & Library on the Move

   Nearly three years after disaster struck the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML), plans have been finalized for the historic relocation of the flood damaged building currently located at 30 Sixteenth Ave. SW. The building will be moved on April 26 and 27 to its new site and positioned next to the building foundation. Preparation work by Patterson Structural Moving of Washington, IA has started at the current location.
   “The first phase of this move includes welding steel beams up to 200 feet, removing bricks
from the façade of the building and then sliding beams into the structure,” said CEO/President Gail Naughton. “Once the structure is secured and relocated, it will remain in place next to the foundation until May 17, when more activity occurs.”
   Crews from Patterson Structural Moving will complete three additional phases over a week’s time. Starting May 17 the building will be elevated to its final height 11ft above where it sits today and three ft above the level of the 2008 flood. It will then be rolled on to the new foundation and finally on May 21 set down and secured in place.
   “Live webcams on www.NCSML.org will allow viewing around the clock for the many people across the world interested in viewing all the activity. We are excited that this exceptional moment in the museum’s history is finally coming to fruition. The expansion and renovation of this museum and library is a major milestone in flood recovery and an historic event for the city and the state of Iowa,” said Naughton.
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.

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