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        by Sher Jasperse

Novmber 2010 -
“Rebuilding the Future: How to Move a Museum -- and Its Donors -- after a Catastrophic Event”

As Cedar Rapids flood stories go, the saga of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is among the most compelling. Just days from making an announcement about a long-planned expansion of the museum’s iconic red-roofed building, the museum was devastated by the June 13 disaster, which inundated all five of its properties and the Czech Village neighborhood that is its home. At our November meeting, NCSML Vice President of Development Jason Wright, who joined the museum staff in 2007 with a determination to help to preserve his cherished Czech heritage, shared the inspiring story of the museum’s response and recovery.

A key part of the museum’s post-flood renaissance has been its multi-pronged effort to connect with and draw support from its far-flung friends and supporters, beginning immediately after the flood. Components of the response included:

• A rapid revamping of the museum’s website, which was the only way people could reach the museum in the days immediately following the flood; within 72 hours, an online Flood Fund giving option had been created.


• Deployment of the staff at offices donated by Frank Magid & Associates in Marion, which provided use of furnished spaces, telephones, office supplies, computers and IT support.


• A solicitation letter sent immediately after the flood to friends of the museum around the world.


• Two carefully sequenced full-color print Updates on the museum’s status and flood recovery efforts.


• Contacts with national and international media, which provided the museum with unprecedented “face time” all over the world by telling its flood story.


• In September, staff members hit the road to begin making presentations to Czech and Slovak affiliate organizations in Chicago, New York, Houston and Washington, D.C., as well as to supporters in Prague and Bratislava.


• Local and national focus groups were facilitated to involve museum friends and supporters in planning for the future.


• A communication plan directed strategic messages as flood recovery activities and planning progressed.


• Messages created through these activities led to development of the museum’s case statement with a vision of what the institution would become as it recovered from the flood.


• Local media coverage has been sustained throughout the recovery.


• A completely new website has been launched to bring the museum’s outreach into the 21st century and provide a greater connection to its audiences, increasing site visits from 9,000/month pre-flood to 25,000/month currently.


• Outreach activities with Czech and Slovak communities have continued locally and nationally.

The museum has returned to Czech Village, with staff offices and an exhibit on the history of the Czechs in Cedar Rapids occupying the historic Kosek Building. But the best is yet to come, as preparations continue to move the beloved red-roofed building to higher ground across the street from its current location and develop a spectacular new facility that will serve both the Cedar Rapids community and museum members worldwide. Stay tuned for details (including webcam coverage) of what will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched building moves in the history of Cedar Rapids.