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Disaster Response Summarized

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 I continued to provide the disaster recovery coordination, coming home every night exhausted. The staff at each site — Czech/Slovak Museum & Library and the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa — were phenomenal. They kept their cool. They followed all the disaster response steps — assess beforeContinue reading “Disaster Response Summarized”

Salvage Begins

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 To our great disappointment we were not able to get into the Czech/Slovak Museum/Library today due to some sort of safety hazard. We spent a lot of time waiting around at the barricade hoping to get in. But no luck. We were, however, able to get into the African American museumContinue reading “Salvage Begins”

False Start

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 The Cedar River came up fast and ugly, going way beyond the 500 year flood plain, more than 12 feet over projected flood level, exceeding all past records. On the plus side, it is receding very rapidly allowing us to begin the recovery process. Most of our cultural resources are alongContinue reading “False Start”

Preparation

Sunday, June 15, 2008 We enjoyed our time at our friends – shower, food, and conversation. Back home, I discussed strategy with the Cedar Rapids Public Library Director. She has no idea when she will be allowed back in. We’re in agreement that trying to salvage first floor flood-soaked materials doesn’t make any sense. AllContinue reading “Preparation”

Behind the Scenes Tour

Friday, May 30, 2008 The University of Iowa Preservation Department met with David Muhlena, librarian at the Czech & Slovak Museum and Library, and Susan Kuecker, curator at the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa, for behind the scenes tours and lunch at Zindrick’s Restaurant in the Czech Village.

Preservation Department Field Trip to Cedar Rapids

Friday, May 30, 2008 On May 30th Preservation Department staff took a field trip to Cedar Rapids to visit the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa. At the Czech-Slovak Museum, Library Director David Muhlena (left) gave an informal talk on the museum’s history and plansContinue reading “Preservation Department Field Trip to Cedar Rapids”