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- Media Kit:
Scott E. and Penny Olson Donate Property to NCSML
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- May 27, 2003
- CONTACTS: Gail Naughton, President/CEO, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 319-362-8500 and Scott E. Olson, 319-247-5000.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) announces that Scott E. and Penny Olson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa is donating the property at 1548 A Street SW to the museum. The 10,000 square foot building and land, valued at $240,000, sits in the heart of Czech Village.
Scott Olson, a registered architect and commercial real estate broker, has owned the building since 1997. He said, "I am thrilled that this gift will make possible future expansion options for the museum by providing property adjacent to their current facility. This will assist in the redevelopment of the Czech Village area which is a part of RiverRun by giving the museum control of a highly visible property and the ability to create a more tourist friendly environment."
Tim Kintner, chair of the Board of Directors, and Gail Naughton, president/CEO of the NCSML, accepted the gift. Kintner said, "This extraordinarily generous gift positions the museum and library for future expansion and growth. We are eager to explore the possibilities that it presents for us as we continue to expand our programming and outreach as the preeminent national museum and library focusing on the history and cultural heritage of the Czech and Slovak people."
The gift coincides with the proposed RiverRun downtown redevelopment plan, which includes Czech Village. Naughton commented, "We wholeheartedly endorse the RiverRun plan. The outstanding gift of Scott Olson gives us the opportunity to support developments in Czech Village and to participate actively in the renewal fostered by the RiverRun project."
Naughton further stated, "When the current building of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library was dedicated in 1995 it was the result of a vision and dream embraced by individuals, businesses, city government and foundations throughout the city and Linn County. People came together around a vision, made a plan, donated funds, and went forward on faith to build something great. They made an investment for the future. It was only seven years ago this building was dedicated and look at what we have today! The museum and library contributes significantly to the quality of life for citizens of Cedar Rapids and Linn County and attracts visitors from all over the world. Many visitors tell us that this museum is their destination – it is the reason they come to Cedar Rapids. The original investment of time, talent and money has had a real return economically for the city of Cedar Rapids. With the RiverRun plan, it is time for the citizens of Cedar Rapids to invest in the future again. We support the vision RiverRun has for the city – for visitors and citizens alike. It took a community filled with vision and possibility to bring the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library to reality just seven short years ago. It will take that same community's vision of possibility to bring the River Run project to reality today.
When the original settlers came to Eastern Iowa from the Czech lands more than 150 years ago, they came with a vision of a better life for their families. They embraced the possibilities their new country offered and accepted the changes they faced in America. Today it is with that same spirit and sense of great possibilities for the future that the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library looks to and embraces the potential the River Run project brings to our community."
Building history: 1548 A Street SW combines three original business addresses in Czech Village: 40, 44 and 46 16th Ave. SW. Various businesses were located at the three locations over the years. One of the original businesses was a dry goods store in 1903. In 1906, there was Wesley Chapel, a place where new Bohemian immigrants could learn English from St. Paul's Methodist Church volunteers. Other businesses included a barber (1912 - 1916); hardware store (1917 - 1919); "soft drink" joint (1919 - 1921); second hand store (1921 - 1924); CJ Kosek electrical contractor (1925 - 1926); feed company (1933 - 1937); tavern (1937 - 1945, owned by one of the first women to have a business on the avenue, Jennie Maxa); radio service store (1945 - 1951); branch of the public library (1951 - 1954); a residence; saw filters business (1957 - 1969); Joe’s Diner (1966 – 1975) and the Salvation Army (1970 - 1983). The three store fronts were joined and became the location for Bulicek's Bridge Villa in 1984 until 1990 when it became Riverside and Company.
For a high-resolution image, go here.
- The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
- 30 - 16th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404-5904
- Phone: 319-362-8500 · Fax: 319-363-2209
- This page was updated September 28, 2005