Museums Celebrate Governor’s Proclamation with Iowa Museum Day!
Governor Terry Branstad has proclaimed Saturday May 14, 2011 as Iowa Museum Day. On Saturday, May 14th, Iowa’s museums will celebrate what makes them special, each in their own unique way. Iowa’s ninety-nine counties are home to hundreds of historical societies and specialized museums as well as to major regional collections in art, history, agricultural, botanical and living collections. Iowa’s museums are important community assets, attracting visitors to area hotels, restaurants, and recreational areas; providing education and outreach for all ages; driving both incoming tourism revenue and job creation; and contributing to the overall quality of life that makes Iowa’s communities great places to live, work, and raise a family.
Governor Branstad has recognized the importance of Iowa’s museums in his proclamation, stating that Iowa Museum Day will celebrate the crucial role of Iowa’s museums in preserving the historical fabric and memory of our state through preservation of artifacts and archives; in providing educational resources and programs which expand learning opportunities for all ages; in contributing to a vibrant community and state economy through job creation, purchase of goods and services, and by attracting tourism revenue to the community and state; and in their significant role in enhancing community quality of life.
A 2011 survey of 174 Iowa museums (about half of all Iowa museums) found that they maintain 5.4 million artifacts of all types. They employ 1,464 individuals and depend upon 28,416 volunteers. Surveyed Iowa museums served 4.2 million visitors in 2010 and provided 11,105 public programs. Those museums participating in the survey had a total operating budget of $57 million in 2010 portions of which derived from individuals, community, county, state and federal sources.
The Local Quad-City Museum Connection
The Quad Cities is home to 18 museums and historic and many will be celebrating Iowa Museum Day as well. Given the bi-state nature of the community the Quad Cities Museum Coalition includes facilities and organizations in both Scott County, Iowa and Rock Island County, Illinois including history, art and children’s museums; zoos and botanical centers; and historic sites.
Local events and programs taking place to mark Iowa Museum Day on Saturday, May 14 include:
Family Museum, Bettendorf – Saturday, May 14 hours and admissions: Hours 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; $4 admission all day; the screening at dusk of the Tiny Circus film created by Family Museum guests’ 563/344-4106
Walnut Grove Pioneer Village, Long Grove – Saturday, May 14 hours and admission; Hours 1 – 5 p.m.; free admission all day; 563/328-3283
Putnam/IMAX, Davenport – Saturday, May 14 hours and admission; Hours 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; $4 museum admission all day; 563/324-1933
Rock Island Arsenal Museum, Arsenal Island – Saturday, May 14 hours and admission; Hours 12 noon – 4 p.m.; free admission all day Photo ID is required for all visitors age 16 and older; featuring its newest exhibit, “Early History” covering the time period from 1816 until the establishment of the Rock Island Arsenal in 1862 and highlighting the Rock Island Barracks, Fort Armstrong and the Black Hawk War among other significant historical sites; 309/782-5021
Buffalo Bill Museum, LeClaire – Saturday, May 14 hours and admission; Hours 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; $5 for adults/$1 for children; featuring current exhibits on women’s fashions circa 1850 to 1950, and the Civil War soldier including a re-creation of a Union encampment; 563/289-5580.
Figge Art Museum, Davenport – Saturday, May 14 hours and admission: Hours 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; $4 admission all day for adults; $3 for children; 563/326-7840
Quad City Botanical Center, Rock Island – Saturday, May 14 hours and admission; Hours 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free child’s admission with a paid adult admission on May 14; 309/794-0991
River Music Experience, Davenport – Saturday, May 14 hour and admission - Hosting a Sound Lab Home Recoding Seminar, a four hour course about the basics regarding how to record music in your home 12-5pm. Tuition is $100 and includes training and reference materials. FREE live music performance from singer-songwriter Doug Rees from 7-9 p.m. at Mojo’s. Alternative rock band, August Zimbal Farewell Show, an all-ages show starts at 8p.m. tickets are $5; 563/ 326-1333.
Butterworth Center/Deere Wiman Home, Moline – Tours available by appointment; 309/743-2701
Black Hawk State Historic Site and Museum – Rock Island – Saturday, May 14 Museum hours – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed noon – 1 p.m.); free admission; reservations for guided tours 309/788-0536
German American Heritage Center, Davenport – Saturday, May 14 hours and admissions; Hours 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; admission $5 for adults. $4 for seniors. $3 for children age 5-17. Call for programming schedule; 563/322-8844
John Deere Pavilion, Moline – Saturday, May 14 hours and admission; Hours 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; free admission; 309/765-1000
Mississippi Valley Lock and Dam Welcome Center, Arsenal Island – Saturday, May 14 hours and admission; Hours 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; free admission; 309/794-5338
Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley – Saturday, May 14 hours and admission Hours 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; admission $6 for adults and $5 for children age 3-17; 309/799-3482
Rock Island Historical Society House and Museum, Moline – Saturday, May 14 hours and admissions; Hours 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; free admission; 309/764-8590
Fryxell Geology Museum, Rock Island – Saturday, May 14 hours and admissions; House 1 – 4 p.m.; free admission; 309/794-7318
Augustana College Art Museum, Rock Island – Saturday, May 14 hours and admissions; Hours noon – 4 p.m.; free admission; 309/794-7469
Colonel Davenport Historic House, Arsenal Island – Saturday, May 14 hours and admission: Hours noon – 4 p.m.; admission $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $10 for families; 309/786-7336
The mission of the Iowa Museum Association is to provide quality training and development to Iowa museum professionals and volunteers, advocate for support of Iowa’s museums, and build a strong community of museums and museum supporters in Iowa.