The National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library

The museum’s extensive archives contain a wealth of historical documents that provide valuable insights into the Czech and Slovak immigrant experience, their contributions to American society, and their cultural traditions. However, due to the fragility and limited accessibility of some of these materials, the museum embarked on a digitization project to ensure their preservation and make them more widely available to researchers, scholars, and the public.

The digitization project has brought numerous benefits to the National Czech & Slovak Museum and its community. First, it has helped in the preservation of fragile and historically significant documents, ensuring their long-term accessibility and preventing further deterioration due to handling. Second, it has expanded the reach of the museum’s collections beyond their physical location, making them accessible to a wider audience worldwide. Scholars, researchers, and genealogists now have the opportunity to explore the museum’s archives remotely, opening up new avenues for research and discovery.

The digitization project has also enriched the museum’s educational initiatives, providing a valuable resource for students, teachers, and history enthusiasts. The user-friendly digital platform makes it a powerful tool for learning and research. The museum’s archives now serve as a virtual classroom, providing a window into the history, culture, and traditions of Czech and Slovak people.

We encourage everyone to explore the digitized archives of The National Czech & Slovak Museum at NCSML History Archives and delve into the rich history and cultural heritage of Czech and Slovak people.

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Czech and Slovak people. With a mission to inspire people from every background to connect to Czech and Slovak history and culture, the museum is a vital resource for the community and beyond. The NCSML preserves, presents, and transcends unique stories of Czech and Slovak history and culture through innovative experiences and active engagement to reach cross-cultural audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. The NCSML was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in November 2008. It is designated a Smithsonian Affiliate, joining a national network of museums, educational institutions, and cultural organizations in sharing the resources of the Smithsonian Institution. The NCSML became a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2019.

During the Iowa flood of 2008, the Cedar River overflowed its banks, flooding the museum and library with 8 feet of water and causing severe damage to the exhibitions and contents. Museum staff were able to remove two trucks full of museum and library material before the flood. Fine art and folklore artifacts were prioritized for removal. Two exhibits were destroyed in the flood, including one about the Prague Spring in 1968 and the subsequent invasion of Czechoslovakia. In the immediate aftermath of the flood, artifacts were removed from the building's upper levels, which were not reached by floodwaters, and flood-damaged items were removed for restoration efforts, with some library books sent to Chicago to be freeze-dried and restored. The Chicago Conservation Center assisted by providing expert help in efforts to save textiles and linens. At the time of the 2008 flood the library held an estimated 30,000 Czech and Slovak-related items, two-thirds of which were stored off-site and were not affected by flood damage. Around 40 percent of the museum's artifacts are Slovak. The museum holds the largest collection of kroje outside Slovakia and the Czech Republic, with the oldest pieces dating to the 16th century. During the flood, the NCSML's entire collection of 5,000 phonograph records, documenting 80 years of recorded Czech and Slovak music, was damaged. The University of Iowa Libraries Preservation Department was able to repair and restore most of the records.

The flood damage caused the museum property to have difficulty obtaining insurance and exhibitions with materials on loan from other museums because of a fear of another flood. The museum decided to move and expand to higher ground, rather than demolishing the original building, because the cost to move the 15-year-old building was far less than to demolish and rebuild the structure. Despite the flood damage, the building remained structurally sound. The museum also wanted to preserve the original building for its historic value and avoid creating unnecessary landfill waste.

The museum was moved 480 feet from the original site and was placed on an elevated foundation. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 15, 2010. On June 8–9, 2011, the Museum and Library, weighing around 1,500 tons and constructed of a wood frame with brick veneer, was moved to the new site. The new site is 11 feet higher than the previous site and 3 feet above the 2008 flood level. The museum dubbed the event "A Monumental Move" and set up a webcam for viewers to watch the move. The City of Cedar Rapids also shut down 16th Avenue SW, including the Bridge of Lions, so local residents could watch. The museum's contractor for the job, Jeremy Patterson Structural Moving, stated that "it's apparently the largest museum ever relocated for flood hazard mitigation, and probably the only museum ever elevated."

In addition to moving the first building to a new location, the rebuilt facility is significantly expanded to a total of 50,000 square feet. This includes larger permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, an expanded research library, educational programming space, a new museum store, collection storage, and workspace. The new facility will be LEED-certified and will include a new 5,500-square-foot library and archives, a 51-seat theater, three galleries, public and educational programming space for up to 400 people, underground parking for 65 vehicles, a terrace with a view of the Cedar River and Cedar Rapids skyline, and an outdoor amphitheater. The rebuilding and recovery costs are estimated to be $25 million.

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library continues to be a beacon of cultural preservation and education. The institution's dedication to showcasing the rich history and culture of the Czech and Slovak people remains unwavering, and its modernized, expanded facilities ensure that future generations can explore and appreciate this heritage.

The NCSML's efforts have not only preserved countless artifacts and historical records but have also created a dynamic, interactive space for learning and engagement. Visitors can now experience a comprehensive look at the Czech and Slovak immigrant experience, their contributions to American society, and the enduring cultural traditions that continue to shape their communities.

By embracing modern technology and innovative educational initiatives, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library stands as a model for cultural institutions worldwide. Its commitment to preserving and presenting the stories of the Czech and Slovak people ensures that these narratives will continue to inspire and educate for years to come.