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| Last updated on December 17, 2007 |
The mission of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is to be the United States' foremost institution preserving and interpreting Czech and Slovak history and culture.
Description:
The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is internationally known for its permanent and changing exhibits featuring exquisite Czech and Slovak folk art and costumes, fine art, political history, maps and military regalia. A visit includes a tour of a restored 1880 Czech immigrant home. In addition, a varied calendar of programs is offered each year. The library has an impressive collection of books and archival materials about Czech and Slovak history and culture. The Museum Store features a special selection of Czech and Slovak gift items, including books, ornaments, Bohemian garnets and crystal, and more!
History:
In 1974, a group of second and third-generation descendants of Czech immigrants founded the Czech Fine Arts Foundation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with the purpose of preserving Czech heritage and culture. The group worked hard to gather Czech cultural artifacts, to share them at local events, and to give talks about Czech culture. By 1978, their burgeoning artifact and document collections impelled the group to open a Czech Museum in a three-room house. The museum attracted more volunteers and collections and in 1981, the collections were moved to a commercial building on the current museum campus with the intention of making them permanently available in public exhibition. In 1983, the group acquired a 19th-century immigrant home and moved it to the campus as well. The home was restored and appropriately furnished to the 1880-90 period, and remains one of the institution's most popular exhibits.
In the 1980s, the fledgling museum began to employ staff. Local residents of Czech and Slovak descent continued to support the organization financially as well as through collections donations and thousands of volunteer hours. But the organization also began to attract attention, collections, and financial support throughout the Midwest and the nation. The name was changed to reflect this increasing significance, and on July 2, 1992, the Congressional Record officially recognized the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.
By this time, the collections and activities of the museum/library were taxing the original 2200 sq. ft. building beyond its capacity. With admirable foresight, the group's leadership made ambitious plans for organizational growth. An architect created plans for a new 16,000 sq. ft. building, fund raising began, and ground breaking took place Oct. 28, 1993. Just two years later, on Oct. 21, 1995, Presidents Bill Clinton of the United States, Václav Havel of the Czech Republic and Michal Kovác of the Slovak Republic presided over the current building's dedication, underscoring the international significance of the event and the NCSML.
With the new facility in place, the group's leadership turned its attention to raising the level of professionalism in exhibits, collections growth and care, programs, outreach, and audience expansion. Growth in these areas has been exponential.
Contact person: Patricia A. Hikiji, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (319) 363-2209
Address:
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30 16th Ave SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.NCSML.org
Directions:
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From I-380 take the Wilson Avenue exit #18. Turn East onto Wilson Avenue. Go one block and turn left (North) onto J Street. Go five blocks and turn right (East) onto 16th Avenue. Follow 16th Avenue into Czech Village. The. . . (more) |
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