The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) in Cedar Rapids held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 27, celebrating the completion of the multi-million dollar renovation that closed the museum to the public for over a year.
The renovations to the museum, at 55 12th Ave. SE, were funded by a $6 million fundraising campaign, including $5 million for the renovation project itself and an added “stretch goal” of $1 million to enhance the museum’s endowment fund.
A key element of the project involved relocating the museum’s front entrance to the east side of the building and implementing upgrades to the lobby. It also addressed some long-term issues, including the museum’s roof, HVAC, sprinkler and other infrastructure needs – all designed to improve sustainability and expand the museum’s operational capacity, program delivery and exhibit implementation.
In her remarks at a groundbreaking ceremony for the project in May 2023, AAMI executive director LaNisha Cassell lauded the work of the museum’s staff, supporters and board of directors, along with former executive director Tom Moore, for envisioning the project’s possibilities.
“Thank you for demonstrating how important the museum is to the present and the future of our young and mature minds of our communities across the state,” she said.
The renovation to the museum has been in the works since late 2019, and was brought about initially by the ongoing implementation of the city’s flood control system.
Statewide leaders from Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Iowa City, Marion, Waterloo, West Des Moines, Sioux City and other cities provided remarks at the ribbon cutting. Representative of area chambers of commerce were on hand to officiate the ceremony, including the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, the Marion Chamber of Commerce, and the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
“This work would not be possible without the dedicated support of the community, especially the many individual donors, corporations, and foundations who have helped support the museum’s capital campaign, ‘Voices Inspiring Progress,’” Ms. Cassell said at the African American Museum ribbon-cutting. “With just $1 million of our $6 million campaign goal to raise, we will increase our endowment and cement our long-lasting legacy for generations to come.”
The “Voices Inspiring Progress” campaign was led by chairman Zach Bohannon, as well as the museum’s steering and building committees.
Major financial support was provided by the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Hall-Perrine Foundation, Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, United Fire Group, Linn County and others. A full list of campaign supporters is available at blackiowa.org/VIP.
Work on the renovation is nearing its final stages, and the museum is expected to fully reopen to the public later this spring.
The African American Museum of Iowa, founded in 1993, is a statewide museum dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American history. As Iowa’s leading educational resource on the topic, the museum educates more than 30,000 people each year through museum tours, traveling exhibits, research services, youth and adult education programs, and community and fundraising events.
