August 2008
The biggest event of this summer has been
following the sad flooding of the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library
in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was a challenge at the time getting up-to-date
information about the condition of the museum. Below find copies of my e-mails
to Gail Naughton, President of NCSML and David Muhlena, Head Librarian at
NCSML, followed by their replies. See a later update from the Board and Staff
of the Museum and Library elsewhere in this Newsletter. Our heartfelt sympathy
is extended to all who have suffered through the recent flooding in the United
States.
Dear Gail Naughton,
On behalf of the Czech & Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois I am at a loss of words to say how sorrowful we feel for the devastation caused by the flooding of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids. The destruction and loss of treasured displays, materials and books in our National Museum is difficult to accept.
We await the future when the museum will rise from the flood waters and continue as the cherished treasure for Czech and Slovak cultural heritage in the United States. Please let us know how we, in Illinois, might be of assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Paul Nemecek, CSAGSI
Dear Paul,
Thank you for such a heartfelt and uplifting message. We won’t know the extent of the damage until we are able to get inside. Some collections were removed but not all. We have professional help lined up to advise us as soon as we get access. The board and staff are working hard on disaster recovery and we will rebuild and be better than ever. Watch our web site www.NCSML.org for updates as we go through these next difficult days.
Thank you, Gail Naughton
Dear Friends / Vážení přátelé / Vážený priatelia -
Thank you all for your concern. All of the museum staff and their families are safe. Museum staff and volunteers were able to move two semi-trailers loaded with museum artifacts and library materials to a safe location. However, we were not able to move all of the materials or our working files out due to quickly rising waters. We won’t know the extent of the damage until the waters recede and are given permission to enter the building. We will be meeting tomorrow morning with disaster recovery specialists to develop a plan of action.
For more info about the conditions in Cedar Rapids go to www.gazetteonline.com. For official updates about the museum go to www.ncsml.org.
Sincerely,
David Muhlena, Library Director
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