- National
- Czech & Slovak
- Museum & Library
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Artifact Collection
The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is the nation’s foremost repository for objects representing and enhancing the understanding of the history and culture of Czechs and Slovaks. The artifact collection is used primarily for exhibition but is also available for study by researchers.
Holdings and Scope of the Artifact Collection
The NCSML’s artifact collection consists of approximately 8,000 cataloged objects from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the United States. The majority of these objects are from the 19th - 21th centuries and represent both "Old World" and "New World" history and culture.
Artifacts collected from the "New World" support the Czech and Slovak immigrant experience and the material culture of Czech and Slovak immigrants in the United States. These items include, but are not limited to:
- Objects representing the Czech and Slovak immigrant experience;
- Objects representing cultural/social organizations founded and supported by Czechs and Slovaks in the United States;
- Objects made by Czech-Americans or Slovak-Americans that illustrate the perpetuation of Czech and Slovak traditions or art forms;
- Objects representing contacts, support, or aid between Czech-Americans and Slovak-Americans and Czech and Slovaks in the "Old World."
Artifacts collected from the Czech Republic and Slovakia include original artifacts that document the lives and culture of Czechs and Slovaks in Europe. These items include, but are not limited to:
- Objects representing technology or technological achievements;
- Examples of fine art from the major artistic movements;
- Examples of folk art and folk costumes (kroje);
- Objects representing significant historical and/or political events or eras in the former Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, or Slovakia;
- Objects unique to the Czech Republic or Slovakia that are part of these countries’ material culture;
- Objects representing the various religious organizations;
- Objects unique to the various ethnic minority groups;
- Objects representing cultural/social organizations.
Use of Collections in Exhibitions
It is only possible to exhibit a small percentage of the NCSML’s collection at any given time. However, most of the objects in the core exhibition (Homelands: The Story of the Czech and Slovak People) are from the NCSML’s collection and are rotated on a regular basis. The NCSML’s second gallery accommodates two or three different exhibits each year. Most of these exhibits are developed "in-house," providing an opportunity for the museum to feature a select aspect of the museum’s growing collections.
NCSML artifacts not currently in use for exhibitions may be available for loan to other museum and institutions for exhibit or research. Contact the curator at 319-362-8500 for loan inquiries.
Donation of Artifacts
Most of the artifacts in the NCSML’s collections were acquired as donations; only a few objects are acquired each year by purchase. For more information about making donations to the artifact collection, go to the page Donating Artifacts and Library Materials.
- For more information about the artifact collection, contact
- Stefanie Kohn, Curator, at 319-362-8500 or skohn@ncsml.org
- 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 February 07, 2008