Cedar Rapids clock tower draws Czech, Slovak presidents for dedication, marks new tourism landmark

The presidents of both the Czech Republic and Slovakia helped dedicate what city leaders hope will become a major tourism draw in Cedar Rapids. A Prague-style astronomical clock, or orloj, was unveiled Friday outside of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, at the entrance to Czech Village. “I’ve visited the United States many times,” Czech President Petr Pavel said, “but I have never witnessed such a great and pleasant concentration of tradition as here in your beautiful city.” Addressing the crowd that gathered to watch the dedication, Mr. Pavel noted that the astronomical clock in the capital city of Prague is one of the country’s major attractions, with millions of tourists visiting from around the world. “I’m very happy the museum chose the astronomical clock as its project and to open it today,” he said, citing strong cultural and historical ties between the United States and Czechia, as well as the collaboration that combined the mechanical expertise of the Czech clock-makers and craftsmanship of the Slovak sculptor, who created wooden figurines that can be seen in the Buresh Immigration Clocktower, as it is now known. Mr. Pavel said the Czech and Slovak collaboration is “in good memory of the times when our two nations shared a single country, Czechoslovakia.”

The museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and the dedication was a reprisal, of sorts, of the landmark visit by three presidents — Czech President Václav Havel, Slovak President Michal Kováč, and President Bill Clinton — to dedicate the museum in 1995. That October day was unusually cold and blustery, but Friday’s crowd, estimated at just under 1,000 people, enjoyed summer-like temperatures in the 70s. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini cited that historical day. “This is an important and symbolic day for us,” Mr. Pellegrini said. “Presidents Havel, Kováč and Clinton inaugurated the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library back in 1995. Now after almost 30 years, Czech and Slovak representatives stand here at the banks of the Cedar River again.” He noted changes that have taken place since that time, which included the relocation of the museum building to higher ground after unprecedented flooding in 2008. “Floods swept away many homes in this town. The derecho blew away too many bricks,” Mr. Pellegrini said. “But one thing remains: we stand here together as good friends and good allies.”

The president said he is “grateful and touched that Slovakia continues to form an important part of your story and your identity,” citing the work of sculptor Andrej Haršány, who used white oak from near his home in Slovakia to create the clock tower’s figurines. “At this special moment I am proud that Slovakia has a share in this beautiful work of art.” Twelve nearly 4-foot-tall figurines, depicting immigrants such as a blacksmith, coal miner, farmer and others, will rotate on the hour to the music of Czech composers Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana. A sculpture of a Czech shepherd, an ancient sheep herding dog and watch dog, also known as a Bohemian shepherd, is depicted in its own space on the south side of the tower. The dog was added at the special request of lead donor, the late Ernie Buresh. Czech clock specialists Vítězslav Špidlen, his son, Radim Špidlen, and Jiří Lev and Robert Holeček of the Czech SPEL Company, have spent the past month finalizing the complex workings of the astronomical clock, known as an astrolabe. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds also spoke at the dedication, recognizing former Gov. Terry Branstad, who attended the 1995 dedication, as well as Friday’s event. Ms. Reynolds cited Czech and Slovak immigrants who began arriving in Iowa in the mid-1800s. “Their influence has clearly enriched our entire state,” she said. Museum President and CEO Cecilia Rokusek presented the presidents with leather Harley Davidson vests, among other gifts, and Pellegrini donated a Slovakian kroj, or folk costume, to the museum. Both presidents toured the museum and met with Iowa leaders during their visit. Congresswomen Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks were among other guests, along with Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell. “This is more than a timepiece,” Ms. O’Donnell said, noting the city contributed $50,000 to the legacy project, due to its prospects as an economic draw for the area. “It’s a storyteller.” The $1.6 million project was led by museum Chief Operating Officer Dalibor Mikulas, who worked with Library Director David Muhlena and Board Trustee/Architect Bruce Hamous to research histories and images of actual Czech and Slovak immigrants to create specifications for period-correct figurines. Neumann Monson Inc., with offices in Iowa City and Des Moines, was the project architect and Graham Construction of Cedar Rapids was construction manager.

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This story was originally published on Homegrown Iowan. Republished with permission.