National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

In June 2008, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library was poised to unveil the plans for an expanded facility, but Mother Nature had different plans. The worst disaster in state history – 10 square miles of Cedar Rapids was severely flooded. Thousands of homes, city buildings, and cultural institutions were damaged or destroyed, including the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. All exhibits were destroyed, library collections soaked, 15 years of records lost, and all earned revenue erased. The institution recorded $11 million in damages. A long-time source of cultural and historical education, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library led its devastated ethnic neighborhood in recovery, rebuilding, and ultimately, revitalization.