Historic S Grant App Woodward M M!SSISSIPPI
DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
June t0, 2002
Mayor Terry Duggan
Members of the City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council:
The Dubuque County Historical Society requests City sponsorship of a grant application to the
National Scenic Byways program in the amount of $475,700. This grant will enable the museum
to improve the exhibits at the Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum. $119,875 in matching
costs will be paid by the Historical Society. There will be no costs other than modest
administration time by Laura Carstens.
This grant if funded, helps us update the exhibits at the Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum
and would serve as matching funds for our Vision Iowa grant for the America's River project.
Sincerely,
JE/ms
P.O. Box 266 * Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0266 · (563) 557-9545 · Fax (563) 583-1241
ProJect Summary 2003
FHWA National Scenic Byways Program
All sections must be completed on an electronic form at http://www.byways.org
Applications must be submitted online and on paper.
Project Info
Project No. Project Name
SB-2003-1A-50703 Stories of the Mississippi
Project Year
2003
Counties and/or Regions Involved
All ten counties along Iowa Great River Road
Location of Project along Byway(s)
Dubuque, Iowa
Federal Lands Crossed by Involved Byway(s)
Associated Byways
State Byway Name Details
IA Great River Road - Iowa Designation15 Jun 2000Date IntrinsicA,H,N,R, sQUalities*
Byway Organization
Iowa Mississippi River Parkway Cormnission
4674 Kynnelworth Dr.
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Phone: 563-332-5446
Fax: 563-344-2633
E-mail: SCRAIOWA~aol.com
'lQ codes: A - Archaeological, C - Cultural, H - Historical, N - Natural, R ~ Recreational, S - Scenic
Project Category
Project Type
Project associated with an All-American Road or a National Scenic Byway.
Is the project consistent with the Corridor Management Plan for the byway(s)?
Yes
Eligibility Category
Byway Facilities
SB-2003-1A-50703: Stodes of the Mississippi I
Project Category (Continued)
Is this application a copy of a previously submitted application or a revision of a prior non-funded
application?
No
If yes, for what year was the previous project submitted?
N/A
Ready-to-Go
This project is ready to go. All environmental and historical reviews have been conducted and a
Memorandum of Agreement has been signed by the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Endowment for the Humanities, Iowa State
tqistoric Preservation Officer, Dubuque County Historical Society, City of Dubuque and the Iowa
Department of Transportation.
Prior Projects
FHWA Proj No. Year Project Name Amount Status
SB-2002-IA-2 2002 Great River Road Interpretive $737,376 Unknown
Center and Network of Interpretive
Centers
Project Coordinator: Laura Carstens
Project Abstract
The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is almost complete. This "Stories of the
Mississippi" exhibit will substantially complete th/s $44 million museum which will be a world class
interpretive facility for the river and the Great River Road. Stories of the Mississippi will be a dynamic
exhibit with artifacts, life size scenes, and dramatic storytelling with sound and light of the river's
history. It will be created in affiliation with the Smithsoaian Institution.
Note: Vision Iowa has awarded $20 million to huild the National Mississippi River Museum and
Aquarium, contingent upon the City of Dubuque and the Museum raising all remain/ng needed funds by
June 2005. With this Scenic Byway Grant, the Vision Iowa grant can be secured and this dynamic
exhibit can be built. Without this Scenic Byway Grant or other funding, portions of the $20 million
grant could be lost.
Project Narrative
tn fiscal year 2002, Dubuque and the Museum received $737,376 to build the National Great River
Road Interpretive Center as part of the Mississippi River Museum. That 1,500 square foot interpretive
center is underway and is expected to be completed by spring 2003.
The exhibit funded by this 2003 grant application is totally separate from the 2002 Scenic Byway grant
project. This 2003 project request is a 6,000 square foot exhibit immediately adjacent to the Great
River Road Interpretive Center and accessible from the same lobby space.
Stories of the Mississippi will be a dramatic exhibit which will tell the story of the river. It will be an
interactive 6,000 square foot exhibit housed within the new National Mississippi River Museum and
SB-2003-1A-50703: Stories of the Mississippi 2
Project Narrative (Continued)
Aquarium. The exhibit will use artifacts, graphic images, and dramatic sound and light stoW telling
techniques to bring the river to life and make it meaningful to the Byway traveler.
Through this exhibit, the cultural patterns and attitudes of river people are brought to life with
photographs, artifacts, and sound. Byway visitors will "encounter" river people. Boat artifacts,
photographs, and illustrations are used to tell the stoW of the region's past from early dug-out log
canoes, to the great bark canoes of the French explorers, trappers and traders, to drift boats, log rafls,
steamboats; and recreational vessels.
Native Americans: The stoW of the First River People will be told. A depiction of the community of
Monks Mound at Cahokia will show the civilization and trade network of 10,000 years ago. Significant
artifacts dramatic by lighted casework will show the stone, pottery, and historic items used in
association with the river, including an Indian made dugout canoe. Major Indian groups will be
ideutified on a map of the Mississippi, along with the Indian names for the river. Native American
chants and drums and the natural sounds of the river will play in the gallery, along with Indian names
for the river spoken by Native Americans.
Exploration and Fur Trade - A life size diorama of Marquette and Joliet will depict the expedition of
1673. A rendezvous diorama will depict the trade and revelry of the semi-annual trading fair. A sound
track will provide voyageur-paddling sounds, the sound of water and wildlife, and words from Peter
Pond's journal.
Steamboat Age - A sound and light system will bring the steamboat to life. A stage (gangplank) will
bring people to a steamboat deck where they view a 32-foot cutaway model of the Steamer Dubuque.
This model shows people, architecture and mechanical systems on board and the Arched ceiling work
overhead will represent the saloon, while steamboat artifacts and cabin furniture from the Diamond Jo
Line steamboats will be exhibited.
Rafting - The stoW of the loggers and rafters of the Mississippi River will come to life with a backdrop
ufa floating log raft. Actual logs tied together are shown in the foreground and the immense size of the
log raft is illustrated by use of mirrors. The lights will dim and a lone rafter tells his story of life on the
river. Artifacts from the logging era are illuminated while the sound track carries voices from the past
describing them.
Boat and Boiler Works - A 200 square foot scale model diorama of the boatyard at the mm of the
century will show the Sprague, the world's largest towboat, already completed and a railroad transfer
boat .lust launched. Models of the t'eathering wheel and :he dt)wler wheel wilt allow xisitors to sec i-k3r
themselves the ingenuity of the boatyard. Oral histories will provide stories ofboatbuilding. Other
major boatyards of the Mississippi River will be identified and a doctor pump will be activated.
Small Boat Building ~ Boats that are undergoing work will take center stage along with engines,
outboard motors and other small craft materials. A steam box will be used to bend wood for repairs and
new construction. The pleasure launch Rosalie shows a family in a pleasure boat on the river. Oral
histories describe river life and culture.
Concepts: The Mississippi River has meant many things to many people. It has been a home, a path of
exploration, a prize of war, a route to settlement, a barrier, a carrier of people, and a way of life. An
orientation exhibit introduces the themes to be experienced and suggests how the Mississippi River has
been a resource and a way of life to Native Americans, explorers, fur traders, voyageurs, lead miners,
loggers, steamboat men, clammers, fishers, towboat hands and recreational users. The Mississippi is an
enormous river with complex watershed, interconnected ecosystems, and technological and social
systems shaping its use. It is also the water that flows past this specific place on the river.
Before steamboats, keelboats carried people and heavy cargo on the river. An 80 foot keelboat would
SB-2003-1A-50703: Stories of the Mississippi 3
Project Narrative (Continued)
draw only two feet and hundreds ofkeelboats could be found along the river. Early settlers, 19th
century naturalists, and travelers commonly viewed nature and the river as an unlimited resource.
Miners and settlers cleared the forests for homes and businesses and burned the wood in smelting
furnaces and steam engine boilers. They felt the land, timber, and water would never run out and soil
and debris ran into the river.
Steamboats made transportation of people and cargo easy, bringing entrepreneurs, families, and
adventurers to the Upper Mississippi. Steam engines powered the boats against the current, replacing
the great human labor required for canoes, flatboats, or keelboats. Steamboats were workhorses,
carrying passengers and freight, pushing log rafts, towing barges, and dredging river bottoms.
The natural river presented severe obstacles to the people on its banks: floods damaged houses,
businesses and farms; disease flourished in the muddy sloughs; snags and rapids were threats to safety;
and low water during the summer stranded steamboat passengers and cargo. Lieutenant Robert E. Lee
surveyed the Des Moines Rapids for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1839.
Beginning in the 19th century with inventor Henry Shreve, the government built snag boats to rip the
submerged stumps and trees which blocked the river. After the Civil War, improved technologies and
increased populations prompted renewed efforts for an improved river. The Mississippi River
Commission, established by Congress in 1879, was charged with protecting the banks of the
Mississippi, improving navigation, promoting trade and commerce, and preventing floods.
The artifacts of the locks and dams will be interpreted. Navigational aids such as buoys and day boards,
radar reflectors, navigational charts, dredging plans, and other engineering accouterments, shipping
receipts, graphics, photographic images of towboats and barges to show the ever increasing size and
demand on the river system, a 1930s Corps hard hat, construction drawings of Lock and Dam #11 at
Dubuque, and a sonar depth finder. A model of the Horatio G. Wright, a snagboat for the U. S. Army
Corps of Engineers, which was built for the Louisiana Centennial Exposition in St. Louis in 1904. In
this model, a giant tree is winched up between the boat's split hull. Deckhands stand ready to
dismember the snag and, once dry, burn the roots in the steamboat's boilers.
The Stories of the Mississippi exhibit will be based on themes developed by the ten state Great River
Road, working in conjunction with the American Scenic Byways Resource Organization, the Federal
Highway Administration, the National Park Service, the Delta Queen riverlorian, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and a team of interpretive planners. These advisors met with a representative from
each of the ten states in St. Louis in May, 2002 to develop these themes, which were based on previous
work by the National Park Service towards a proposed national heritage corridor. ·
Jerry Enzler, the Director of the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, was the
representative from Iowa at this two day theme workshop. He als0 is the chair of the ten state Heritage
and Culture Committee of the Great River Road and is working to implement a master interpretive plan
of the Mississippi River including a network of more than fifty interpretive centers in ten states along
the Great River Road. The overall theme and the 11 sub-themes developed by the ten states at the St.
Louis conference are as follows:
Overall Theme:
The Mississippi River is the flow of life shaping land and peoples.
Sub-Themes:
*The Mississippi River is a ribbon of life for people, plants and animals.
*As the river has influenced people, people have influenced the river.
*The Mississippi River has nurtured prehistoric and historic
cultures.
*The Mississippi River inspires a variety of folk life,literary, fine art, and musical forms.
SB-2003-1A-50703: Stories of the Mississippi 4
Project Narrative (Continued)
*The Mississippi River has profoundly shaped American history.
*The strategic importance of the Mississippi River has resulted in conflict between nations and peoples.
*The Mississippi River architecture reflects distinctive styles affected by cultural and natural resources.
*The Mississippi is one of the world's gmat rivers noted for its beauty, grandeur and diversity.
*The history of the Mississippi River transportation is a dramatic story reflecting the river's economic
and commercial importance.
*Mississippi River towns and cities reflect mid-19th century life.
*The Mississippi River is a working river sustaining many industries.
These themes are at the root of Stories of the Mississippi exhibit and they will be guiding principles as
the scripts and concepts are developed.
Note on fees - The Stories of the Mississippi Exhibit will be part of the National Mississippi River
Museum and Aquarium and therefore will be included in the regular admission area. No additional fees
will be charged for this exhibit beyond the regular museum admission price. This is consistent with
other Scenic Byway funded projects. Additionally, the National Mississippi River Museum and
Aquarium has a policy that anyone who cannot afford admission to the museum is allowed in free. This
is implemented by free admission to visitors on fuel assistance or reduced school lunch programs.
Monadnock Media is a nationally recognized museum media firm with a specialty in creating exhibits
that move the visitor in time and space. Monadnock created the award winning film River of Dreams
for the Mississippi River Museum in 1996 and that film was voted best film in a history museum for
1996 at the annual Association of Museums meeting in Atlanta. The Des Moines Register reviewed the
River o f Dreams film as "15 minutes you'll never forget." The film is a real crowd pleaser and some
museum visitors tell us they have seen the film over 20 times and still love it.
Monadnock Media recently created the audio visual exhibits for the D-Day Museum in New Orleans
which was supported by Stephen Ambrose, Stephen Speilberg, Tom Hanks and Tom Brokaw. They
also have created exhibits for the Smithsonian Institution's U.S. Postal Museum and the Museum of the
American Indian.
The cost of the sound and light experiences in this proposal may seem high to those unfamiliar with
world class exhibitry costs, but they are quite modest compared to expenditures at Disney, Universal
Studios and other major attractions. These programs will be authentically researched and scripted so
that the actual story of the Mississippi River is conveyed.
This project will complete the initial exhibits for the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
and the National Great River Road interpetive Center. The museum and Great River Road Interpretive
Center is part of the $188 million America's River project, which will include the museum and Great
River Road Interpretive Center, the Mississippi River National Education and Conference Center, a
Riverwalk with amphitheater, plazas and other public amenties and a waterfront hotel with an indoor
waterpark.
Work Plan
Line Start Date/
Item Task/Milestone Description Duration Work Category
001 Establish management a~eement 01 Jan 2002 Byway Facilities
2 months
Responsible Party: City of Dubuque Planner Laura Carstens
SB-2003~IA-50703: Stories of the Mississippi 5
Work Plan (Continued)
00I Justification:
The City of Dubuque's Planning Services Director Laura Carstens and Mississippi River
Museum Director Jerry Enzler will sign a management agreement with Iowa Scenic Byway
Coordinator Margaret Roetman.
002 Develop concepts and scripts 01 Mar 2003 Byway Facilities
8 months
Responsible Party: Museum Director Jerry Enzler
Justification:
Museum Director Jerry Enzler will coordinate a team of scholars, curators and media planners
who will develop the conceptual treatment for the Stories of the Mississippi exhibit.
003 Research, select and secure graphics 01 Mar 2003 Byway Facilities
8 months
Responsible Party: Museum Curator Tacie Campbell
J ustification:
Museum Curator Tacie Campbell will coordinate a team of experts who will research, select
and secure the rights for the graphics images.
004 Create sound and light experiences 01 May 2003 Byway Facilities
12 months
Responsible Party: Monadnock Media for the Museum
Justification:
Monadnock Media will create six dynamic sound and light experiences which will bring the
story of the Mississippi River alive with Native Americans, fur traders, steamboat travelers,
loggers, boat builders and small vessels.
005 Purchase and install technical equipment 01 May 2003 Byway Facilities
12 months
Responsible Party: Monadnock Media for the Museum
Justification:
Monadnock will specify, purchase, and install equipment necessary for the sound and light
experiences. This will include show controllers,specialty lighting, speakers and special effects.
006 Create and install exhibits 01 May 2003 Byway Facilities
12 months
Responsible Party: Project Manager Mark Hantetmann
Justification:
The museum exhibit team, led by Mark Hantelmarm and Wayne McDermott, will physically
construct and install the Stories of the Mississippi exhibit.
007 Publicize and open exhibit 01 Feb 2004 Marketing
5 months
Responsible Party: Marketing Director Jeff`Holmes
SB-2003-1A-50703: Stories of the Mississippi 6
Work Plan (Continued)
07 [ Justification:
Marketing Director JeffHolmes will coordinate a $300,000 marketing campaign for spring,
2004, which will include this Stories of the Mississippi exhibit as one of its primary features.
This campaign will include brochures, billboards, print media, electronic media, and public
relatious.
Budget
Line
ttem Description Total Cost Request Amt.
001 50 hours by Museum Director Jerry Enzler and City $2,125 $0
Planner Laura Carstens ~ $42.50/hr.
002 I 300 hours by Museum Director Jerry Enzler ~ $42.50/ $38,750 $26,000
hr and 1,000 hours by scholars and researchers ~ $26/hr
003 400 hours by Museum Curator Tacie Campbell and $10,400 $10,400
research team ~ $26/12-
004 Budget proposals from Monadnock Media, based on past $126,000 $126,000 I
work for Smithsonian and Mississippi River Museum. 6
~ $21,000 each
005 Show control systems, speciality lighting, multi-channel $292,500 $292,500
sound systems, speakers and electrical - 6 programs ~
$48,750
006 Exhibit casework, signage and materials. 6,000 square $20,800 $20,800
feet ~ $10 sq. ft., and technician services-800 hours ~
$26/11i.
007 The museum will expend $300,000 to market the 2004 $105,000 $0
season through brochures, billboards, prim media and
electronic media, and public relations with primary
emphasis on the Stories of the Mississippi exhibit.
Assuming 359/o of this cost as marcia, .
Totals $595,575 $475,700
Match amount (total cost - requested amount) is $119,875 or 20.1% of total.
Match accounted for in Match Breakdown is $119,875 or 20.1% of total.
These two amounts must be equal for the Budget and Match sections to be complete.
For your information, 60% of Total Cost is $476,460, and 20% of Total Cost is $119,115.
Your match amount cannot be less than 20% of Total Cost.
Match Breakdown
Sourc6
Members and donors
Description Type
Private contributions Cash
Value
$t19,875
SB-2003-1A-50703: Stories of the Mississippi 7
Match Breakdown (Continued)
Source I Description I Type
Total
Value
$119,875
Total from items above: $119,875 or 20.1% of total.
Match amount from Budget: $119,875 or 20.1% of total.
These two amounts must be equal for the Budget and Match sections to be complete.
For your information, 80% of Total Cost is $476,460, and 20% of Total Cost is $119,115.
Your match amount cannot be less than 20% of Total Cost.
Project Coordinator
Coordinator Name
Laura Carstens
City of Dubuque
E-mail Address
lcarsten~cityofdubuque.org
Phone Fax
563-589-41 l0 563-589-4149
Street Address
50 W. 13th St.
City State ZIP
Dubuque IA 52001
State Program
StateIA Byway 01 Jun Program ]987Staa Date
Scenic Byway Agency
Iowa Department of Transportation-Office of Corridor Development
State Scenic Byways Coordinator
Margaret Roctman ~
E-mail Address
margaret.roetman~dot.state.ia.us
Phone Fax
515-239-1792 515-239-1982
Street Address
800 Lincoln Way
City State ZIP
Ames IA 50010
SB-2003-1A-50703: Stories of the Mississippi 8
Signatures
State Scenic Byways Agency
Margaret Roetman
Iowa Scenic Byway Coordinator
Matching Funds Certification
Date
Jerry Enzler
Mississippi River Museum Director
Date
SB-2003-1A-50703: Stories of the Mississipp~
9
Congressional Members
Associated States
State Senators
IA Grassley, Chuck
Harkin, Tom
State Representatives
State 2District Representative
lA Nussle, Jim
SB-2003-1A-50703: Stories of the Mississippi 10
Attachments
[] Map showing location
[] Visitation Parameters - for the Mississippi River Discovery Center
[] lowa Corridor Management Plan - Vision, Goals and Objectives
[] Planning Summary
[] Partnerships
[] Endorsements
[] Project Personnel
[] Project Consultants
[] Selected letters of support
[] America's River book - site map page 10-11
SB-2003-1A-50703: Stories of the Mississippi 11
OFFICE OF THOMAS J. MARTIN
Economic Research and Management Consultants
o
!
I VII-3
CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN
JANUARY 2000
'tSiON, GO.-': LS AND OBjECTI\?Es
The overall vision for the Iowa Great River Road Scenic Byway is:
The Iowa Great River Road Scenic Byway presents
opportunities for protecting and promoting the
scenic, natural, historic, archeological, cultural and
recreational resources of the Mississippi River so
that the quality of fife enjoyed by Iowans and all
Midwesterns can be sustained and a unique
destination can be provided for travelers from across
the world.
A mission of the Iowa Mississippi River Parkway Commission is to work with all
stakeholders to ultimately achieve this vision. Goals that the Iowa Mississippi
River Parkway Commission intend to achieve include:
· Continue the identification, documentation and protection of the
intrinsic resources of the Great River Road.
· Expand the local citizen awareness of the resources and importance of
the Great River Road in Iowa and the adjoining states.
· Provide new travel experiences through effective interpretation and
promotion of the Great River Road.
· Increase information sen/ices to residents and organizations along the
Great River Road.
· Identify economic development opportunities based on the sensitive
use of the Road's intrinsic resources.
· Sustain existing alliances with other organizations that are interested in
the future of the Great River Road and develop new partnerships
where needed.
· Identify volunteer opportunities for individuals and organizations.
A central theme for interpreting the Iowa Great River Road will be based on
the following:
People, communities, the nation and the world are
sustained by the history, the nature and the society
of the Mississippi River.
CORRIDOR i¥1ANAGEMENT PLAN
JANLAR~ 2000
Historic: Encompassing legacies of the past that are distinctly associated with
physical elements of the landscape, whether natural or manmade, that are of
such historic significance that they educate the viewer and stir an appreciation
for the past.
· National Register Historic Districts
· National Register Histodc sites
· National River Museum, Dubuque
· Locks and Dams
· Site historical sites
· Historic cemeteries
· County historical museums
· Private historic sites
Recreational: Outdoor recreational activities directly associated with and
dependent upon the natural and cultural elements of the corridor's landscape.
The recreational activities provide opportunities for active and passive
recreational experiences.
· Water-based recreation opportunities for boating, fishing, hunting
· Protected wildlife management properties, state preserves
· State, county and city parks
· Nature centers
·Many types of hiking and bicycling
trails
·Primitive and modem
campgrounds
· W:ldlife viewing
· Antique and art shopping
·Performing arts and cultural
events
· Evening entertainment~ casinos Cod,q~ryside,,4ew in rbralCta/ton County, Iowa
· Art museums on the Great River Road near the Mississippi
River
Archeoloqical: Those characteristics of the scenic byway corridor that are
visible, physical evidence of histodc or prehistoric human life or activities and
are capable of being inventoried and interpreted.
· Effigy Mounds National Monument
· Toolesboro Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark
· Museums
· Burial settlement sites
· Interpretative programs
JANUARY 2000
!VISITOR EXPERIEN' E PL]AN*q G
Interpretation Opportunities (14)
A number of organizations provide interpretation
programs for the Great River Road and the
Mississippi River. These range from static exhibits to
dynamic and interactive programs.
Effective interpretation of the Great River Road is
one of its greatest opportunities and needs.
Providing interpretation will be the responsibility of
many organizations and the Commission will
encourage and support efforts to enhance the visitor
experience in the following areas:
Steep limestone bluff at Mississippi
River's edge
· Development of interpretive master plans for the sites and regions
· Establishing measurable learning, behavior and emotion objectives
based on the overriding themes and sub-themes of the Great River
Road and the Mississippi River
· Coordinating efforts among interpretation providers to reduce
duplication
· Canvassing programs to ~ssure that the majority of the visitor
segments are addressed
· Using up-to-date media
· Providing accountable measures of success in reaching targeted
audiences
Design Standards (13)
While no major improvements or re-alignment of the route are foreseeable, the
Iowa Mississippi River Parkway Commission is available to assist the tDOT
and ocal transportation agencies with assuring that improvement projects are
designed and implemented in ways that are sensitive to the intrinsic qualities
Mississippi River Museum Planning Summary
The Mississippi River Musemn began working on the River Discovery Center project
with scholars and planners in 1992, supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Community input sessions began in 1993 with focus group sessions, person on the street
interviews, and targeted discussions to involve a broad cross section of the community. A series
of public forums was held to assess public interest in the project. Educators, community leaders,
labor representatives, tourism officials, students and the public met together to develop the plan.
An Interpretive Plan Schematic Design for the project was created with the design firm of
Lyons Zaremba in 1997, outlining the exhibits, aquariums and other museum elements. A
Visitor Circulation Assessment was prepared by ORCA Company which has completed similar
visitor circulation assessments for Disney, Epcot and the "Final Four" basketball tournament.
Their report shows the average length of time at each exhibit and estimates the total average
length of stay at 179 minutes, just under three hours. This means that some visitors will stay 5 to
6 hours while others may limit their initial visit to 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
A Review of Aquarium Systems and Selection of Animals was prepared by Dr. Joseph
Norton and Dr. Dave Collins, curators for the Tennessee Aquarium. This provides essential
advice for efficient operation of the aquariums. Engineering and Life Support Systems for the
aquarium tanks was completed by Enertec, which does all the life support and engineering for
Sea World facilities. A Planting Plan for Wetlands and Forests was prepared by Applied
Ecological Services of Brodhead, Wisconsin. This is one of the top four ecological wetland
designers in the country.
An Operations Feasibility Study was prepared by the Office of Thomas J. Martin,
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mr. Martin has a long history of operational assessment, having
worked for museum and visitor attractions all over the country including several in the Midwest.
This in-depth report on the operations of the Center has guided decisions as to size, staffing and
operations, thereby help to ensure long term feasibility of the center. The museum also
participated with the City of Dubuque and adjacent attractions in a Parking Study which revealed
that the combined parking needs for the Ice Harbor attractions are met during the time periods
that the Interpretive Center will be open.
The Mississippi River Museum currently serves 75,00 people armually-from 50 states and
30 foreign countries. It is among the 9% of museums in the country that are accredited by the
American Association of Museums. The River Museum's River of Dreams film, narrated by
Garrison Keillor, was voted "Best Film in a History Museum" in 1997 by the American
Association of Museums and the Des Moines Register review headlined it, "Fifteen Minutes
You'll Never Forget."
Partnerships and funding for the Mississippi River Discovery Center (the host for the
Great River Road Interpretive Center).
The River Discovery Center will be a national musemn that has attracted substantial National
and Regional support:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - The museum has signed a 20 -year partnership a~eement
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to interpret the Upper Mississippi River. Dubuque is
centrally located in the Fish and Wildlife Service's Upper Mississippi River National
Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which is the nation's longest and most visited refuge, with 3
million visitors a year. The Refuge is 261 miles long and contains 194,000 acres in four
states - Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. This will be the refuge's first major
interpretive center.
Senator Harkin, Senator Grassley and Congressman Nussle were successful in securing
major support from the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife budget. A letter of
support was secured from all five governors of the Upper Mississippi River.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - The museum has a five-year partnership agreement with the
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, Vicksburg, Mississippi, and all
six districts on the Mississippi River, to interpret the Corps' role in managing the Mississippi
River. The museum has visited with ali six districts of the Corps, (St. Paul, Rock Island, St.
Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg, and New Orleans) working with historians and planners and has
also visited three times with the congressionally appointed Mississippi River Commission.
U.S. Coast Guard - ~l~e museum has a three year partnership agreement with the U. S. Coast
Guard. This agreement, signed with Admiral Paul Pluta in New Orleans in 2000, provides
assistance to the museum's efforts to tell the story of aids to navigation, safety efforts on the
river, and the considerable number of boats built at the museum site for the Coast Guard.
· U.S. Geological Survey - The museum is working ~vith scientists at the U.S: Geological
survey to create flood plain models and other exhibits. Over the past 14 years, the
Geological Surveys' Mississippi Environmental Monitoring Programs at Onalaska,
Wisconsin, has conducted over $100 million of research. This partnership allows the
Geological Survey to find a public outlet for this information and allows the museum to have
at its disposal the latest scientific research of the river.
· U.S. Department of Transportation - 6 grants have been from TEA-21 Transportation
Enhancement Funding, including funds for historic restoration and adjacent trails.
· Institute of Museum and Library Services. Through Senator Harkin's (D-IA) efforts, over $3
million has been secured for exhibits for the River Discovery Center.
· HUD. U.S. Senator Tom Harkin secured HUD funding for the America's River project to
fund planning and design of the center.
National Endowment for the Humanities - 6 grants from this highly competitive grant agency
for exhibits, construction and endowment.
National Park Service Grant - Provide funds for the outdoor boatyard exhibit development
which will tell the story of the boat building which took place on the site for over 200 years.
U.S. Department of Agriculture - The museum has consulted several times with officials for
the USDA's National Resource Conservation Service.
American Heritage Rivers Project, a national effort of 56 communities to encourage tourism
and travel along the upper Mississippi River including the River Discovery Center project.
James Lee Witt, then secretary of the Federal Emergency Management Administration
(FEMA), was sent to Dubuque by President Clinton at the mmouncement of the program in
1999.
The State of Iowa is investing $27 million and has granted the ~4merica's River project a
grant of $40 million. This includes $20 million for the River Discovery Center, the largest
award in the state.
Private funding has been secured for the Mississippi River Discovery Center in the amount of
over $12 million, including major support from the entire length of the Mississippi River.
This includes gifts from $2 to $2 million and support from environmental interests and barge
company foundations.
Selected Endorsements
"The Mississippi River Discovery Center will bring a depth of scholarship to bear to the national
story of the Mississippi. We are pleased to have been a part of this project from its inception in
1992, providing major funding for scholars and designers as well as a challenge grant at the
highest level awarded in the nation."
Bill Ferris, Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities.
"America's River is a dynamic project for Iowa. t traveled to New Orleans with America's River
leaders to meet with CEO's of the nation's largest barge companies to secure support for this
world class educational center."
Governor Terry Branstad, former Governor, Iowa
"America's River ~vill be the interpretive center for the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and
Fish Refuge, the most visited refuge in the country and longest refuge in the 48 contiguous
United States. It is an attraction on par with the Grand Canyon and has as many visitors as
Yellowstone National Park."
Bill Hartwig, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3, Minneapolis.
20-year partnership agreement signed January 13, 1998.
"The Mississippi Valley Division of the Corps of Engineers and ali six districts along the length
of the Mississippi River are working in partnership with this national center to tell the great story
of the Mississippi River."
Mississippi Valley Division, Vicksburg
Five-year partnership agreement signed November 13, 1998.
"America's River will be a dynamic center 'for the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The
Coast Guard is working in partnership with America's River to make this a national effort."
Rear Admiral Paul Pluta, Commander U.S. Coast Guard 8th District, New Orleans
3-year partnership agreement signed May 25, 2000.
"America's River is one of the most dynamic projects in the country. We are excited to work
with America's River as we plan Audubon's National Upper Mississippi birding trail."
Dan McGuiness, Director
Audubon national effort for the Upper Mississippi River
Delegations of local citizens and local government officials have appeared before the U.S. House
of Representatives Budget Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies in 1998 and again in
1999. U. S. Senators Harkin and Grassley and Congressman Nussle, and their staffs, have
worked tirelessly to advance the project, both in the halls of Congress and with potential
supporters.
Project Personnel
Museum Executive Director Jerry EnzIer (24 years with the museum) has a master's
degree in museum studies at Cooperstown Graduate Program, State University of New York. He
is past chair of the Historical, Cultural and Archaeological Committee of the Mississippi River
Parkway Commission and former co-chair of the National Maritime Alliance. He has served on
the Iowa Museum Association long range planning committee and director's special standing
professional committee. He as appeared on History Channel, and National Public Television
programs in Germany and Japan, and on National Public Radio in Chicago and Austria. He has
been instructor in History and Museum Studies at Clarke College, Dubuque. He was the
recipient of Dubuque's 1991 "lst Citizen Award," and Humanities Iowa's first award for
"Distinguished Public Programming in the Humanities" in 1991
Development Director Teri Goodmarm (6 years - B. A. in history, Clarke College) directs
the museum's public relations efforts. She coordinates the fund raising program, conducts the
membership program, recruits volunteers, and plans events. She has extensive back=m-ound in
fund raising, marketing, and events, having chaired a local political party, been president of
several church and volunteer groups, and successfully managed campaigns for local, state and
national office.
Curator Tacie Campbell (20 years with the museum - M.A, history museum studies,
Cooperstown Graduate Program) has twenty-seven years museum experience. She directs the
research and curatorial circle and supervises a team of archival assistants, interns, and volunteers
who provide collections management and historical research on a regular basis, many coming
three afternoons a week. She has served as chair of the curator's committee for the Midwest
Outdoor Museum Coordinating Council, director of the Galena Historical Society and education
coordinator for the Calgary, Alberta museums. She is an Illinois Museum evaluator, panelist for
the Iowa Historic Resource Development Grant program and board member of the Dubuque
County Historic Preservation Commission and the Iowa Victorian Society.
Operatiens Director Mark Wahlert (M. S. Museum Management, George WasNngton
University, Washington, DC) supervises the team of interpreters, volunteers and housekeepers
who come into daily contact with visitors and markets the museums and programs. Before
coming to the museum he was on the Smithsonian's Capital Campaign for the New Millennium
and, while a student at George Washington, interned at the Office o£the Director, Smithsonian's
Museum of American History.
National and Statewide Historical Consultants
Dr. John Anfinson is the fom~er district historian, St. Paul District, U.S. Am~y Corps of
Engineers and now historian with the National Park Service, Mississippi Minnesota National
Recreation Area. He received his PhD in history from the University of Minnesota. Dr.
Anfinson has just completed the manuscript for a new history of the Upper Mississippi River,
examining the movements for and nature of navigation improvements from the early t 800s to
1940. It explores the origins of the conservation movement on the river and the effects of
navigation projects on the river's ecosystems.
Tom Boland is fisheries biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He has
been an advisor to the River Discovery Center project from its inception and has brought his
personal knowledge and contacts at the Iowa department of Natural Resources to the project.
Mr. Boland is one of the founding organizers of the Catfish Creek Coalition and is also a key
member of the River Discovery Center Consortium, a consortium of over 50 enviromnentat
groups and individuals who are advising the project.
Dr. Edward T. Cawley is professor emeritus, biology, Loras College, Dubuque and
founder of the Environmental Research Center at Loras College. Over the last 18 years the
Environmental Research Center has funded 75 studies by undergraduate students in these areas
and has contracted with the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
Departments of Natural Resources of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. The Environmental
Research Center maintains the Loras College Diatom Culture Collection, the largest culture
collections of freshwater diatoms in the world. Dr. Cawley has worked with several humanities
based projects including Iowa Public Broadcasting's "Land Between Two Rivers" and work with
the State Department of Natural Resources for the development of the National Register Mines
of Spain site at Dubuque.
Dr. David Edmunds is a Native American scholar and a person of Indian descent himself.
He is Watson Professor of American History at the University of Texas at Dallas. He is
consultant to numerous Indian tribes including the Potawatomi and the Otoe-Missouria. He has
published The Potawatomies: Keepers of the Fire (Francis Parkman Prize), The Shawnee
Prophet (Ohioana Prize for Biography).a~qd The Fox' Wars: The Mesquakie Challenge to New
France (Alfred Heggoy Book Prize, French Colonial Historical Society). He has served as
consultant to several award winning documentaries including The Way West, Five Hundred
Nations, and Black Hawk which will appear on the History Channel in 2000.
Katherine Fischer is director of the Writing Lab and assistant professor of English at
Clarke College in Dubuque. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College,
Plainfield, Vermont, and is a Humanities Iowa Scholar. She has served as an advocate for
women's issues and diverse perspectives in her writings and in numerous community
organizations. Ms. Fischer has extensive experience in writing that is inclusive o£women and
minorities.
Ben Fuller is former curator for Mystic Seaport Museum (1978 - 1990) and now is an
historian and consulting expert on small craft and their role in American history. His exhibits
and consultations include work at Mystic Seaport, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, South
Street Seaport, the Bermuda Maritime Museum, the American Canoe association, the
Adirondack Museum, the Independence Seaport Museum and the Mississippi River Museum in
Dubuque.
Dr. Edward Hawes is a social historian with a wealth of experience in historic site
interpretation and environmental history. He has conducted several surveys and inventories of
historic resources, including waterfront surveys for the City of Bath, Maine, and the Maine Coast
Heritage Trust. He has worked on NEH supported projects for the Lincoln Home National
Historic Site, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, the Illinois State Museum, Lincoln's
New Salem, and Living History Farms in Des Moines. Dr. Hawes was the director of the
Clayville Rural Life Center and Museum, Pleasant Plains, Illinois, an eleven-acre site with an
early 19th century farmhouse-inn, two barns and several outbuildings.
Dr. Ken Lubinski and scholars at the U. S. Geological Survey's Environmental
Management Program at Onalaska, Wisconsin have conducted over $100 million of federally
funded research and monitoring on the Upper Mississippi in the past ten years. Dr. Lubinski
brings this information to the public through River Discovery, particularly the flood plain stream
table.
Dr. Tom Morain, Ph.D. in American Civilization at the University of Iowa, is
Administrator for the State Historical Society of Iowa and the former Director of Research and
Interpretation at Living History Farms, Des Moines, Iowa. He is author of Prairie Grass Roots:
the History of an Iowa Small Town, which won the 1988 Shambaugh Award from the Iowa
Historical Society and co-author of Iowa Past to Present, the People and the Prairie which is
now used as the Iowa History School textbook. As director of research and interpretation, Dr.
Morain has developed interpretative manuals and educational materials at Living H/story Farms.
He serves on the NEH review panel for the State Humanities Board / Council funding.
Dr. Philip Scarpino is Director of Graduate Programs, Department of History, at Indiana
University and an environmental historian. He is the author of Great River: An Environmental
History of the Upper Mississippi, 1890-1940 (University of Missouri Press, 1985). He was a
humanist scholar for both the "Harvesting the River" and the "Always a River" project, two
waterborne river exhibits funded in part by NEH. He is a well-known author and regular
presenter on issues of public history and environmental history and is a founding member of/he
Center on History-Making in America.
Exhibit designers Lyons Zaremba, Boston, MA, outlined the initial exhibit concepts.
[.yons Zaremba are awardwinning designers known for their national projects including the
New England Aquarium in Boston, the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga (the worlds largest
fresh water aquarium) and Visitors Centers at Charleston, South Carolina, and Natchez,
Mississippi.
Steven Bressler is director of Monadnock Media, Inc. and has experience on several
audiovisual projects. He has created audiovisual programs for the Smithsonian's National
Postal Museum, the Old State House Museum in Little Rock, the New York Historical
Association in Cooperstown, the Massachusetts State Heritage Parks, the Concord Antiquarian
Society (NEH implementation grant) and the Newport Historical Society (NEH implementation
grant) He has worked with several museums on state humanities council projects.
Other scholars serving on the Museum's advisory committee include:
· Dr. Michael Allen, University of Washington - Tacoma, author of Western Rivermen, 1763-
1861
· John Barry, author of Rising Tide: How the Flood of 1927 Changed America
· Jack Custer, editor of the scholarly Egregious Steamboat Journal
· Dr. William Goetzmann, Pulitzer prize winning author of Exploration & Europe and The
West of the Jmagination
· Stephen Ambrose, author of Undaunted Courage, is a member of the museum who has
visited the museum and advised on early exploration history
Nationally recognized architects, planners and scholars have designed this to be a world class
facility:
· EHDD, San Francisco - the amhitects of the Monterey Bay Aquarium
· Lyons/Zaremba, Inc, Boston - the designers of the Tennessee Aquarium
· Ener~ec, San Diego - life support designers for all Sea World facilities
· ORCA - visitor circulation consultants to Disney World and EPCOT
Selected Letters of Support
Upper Mississippi River Congressional Task Force
Congressman Jim Nussle, Iowa
Congressman Ron Kind, Wisconsin
Congressman Jim Leach, Iowa
Congressman GiI Gutnecht, MN
Congressman James Oberstar, MN
Congressman Leonard Boswell, Iowa
Congressman Tom Latham, Iowa
Congressman Lane Evans, Illinois
Con~essman Bennie Thompson, MS
Governors of Five Upper Mississippi River States 1999
U. S. Representative Jim Nussle - Iowa
U. S. Senator John C. Culver, Former Senator of Iowa
Dr. Willard L. Boyd, President Emeritus, University of Iowa
President Emeritus, The Field Museum
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Audubon Society
Dubuque Board of Supervisors
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation - Rick Dickinson
The Honorable Ralph Re=u]a
Chairman -
House Interior ApPropriations SUbcom~ittee
5-35~ Aayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Regula:
On behalf of the b/partisan Upper Mississippi River
Congressional Task Force and other Members of Congress who
understand the significance of the Mississippi River, we would
like to share our support for a project we think would be a great
asset to the Upper Mississippi River Basin and the entire nation.
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish
Refuge stretches 261 ~iles in five states and is considered to be
a premier wildlife refuge in the country. While over 3 million
~eople a year visit this refuge, there currently is no major
· nterpretive center for this refuge or for the Upper Mississippi
River Basin. The only other large interpretive center located
along the entire
Tennessee. Mississippi River is Mud Island, in Memphis,
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish
Refuge Interpretive Center in Dubuque, Iowa, will provide
visitors to the refuge a ~ni~ae view of the Mississippi River~
Through various exhibits, aquaria, an outdoor wetland and boat-
building d~onstrations, visitors will be able to explore the
social, economic and environmental history of the Upper
Mississippi.
The Interpretative Center has already raised over
million from private donations from citizens across the country
and from state and local government funds. The Interpretive
Center representatives are requesting that $2 million of the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife budget ~e designated for planning, design and
construction of exhibits xor the Center. These exhibits will
include large scale aquaria with fish and wildlife of the
· Mississippi River in habitat that co-exist with the lock and
dams, dredged channel and recreational uses on the Mississippi.
The Interpretive Center has already signed a 20-year
partnership agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Task Force is aware of a similar partnership agreement si~ned
between Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and the U.S. Fish and Wild~i~e
Service for the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. Once the
Interpretive Center is fully operational, it will be managed by
the Mississippi R~ver Museum in Dubuque and will not require any
federal funding or support.
We support these efforts and hope you will give every
consideration to the fundin~ request for the Upper Mississippi
River National Wildlife and Fish Refu~e Interpretive Center.
Sincerely,
'~ Nussle d
Lane Evans
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
The Honorable R~ph Regul~, Ch~/rn-am
House Appropriations Subcom~ttee on Interior
B-308 Raybmm House Office Building
Wash/.ngton. D.C. 20515
Dear Chakma.n Regula:
The .Mississippi River is one of the world's greatest namraJ treasures and provides
Arnefic~ w4th sign/ficant e~ono~c, recre~fior~gJ tad ~vh'onmenl.~l benefits. A~ the governors of
the five ~tates that share the Upper Mississippi River, we strongly support the developmem of the
first-of-ffs-ldnd Upper Mhssissippi River interpretive Center to share ks bound- Mth all citizens.
The Upper Mississippi '0,rddlife and irish Refuge is :261 miles long, is the home of 40% of
the nation's migratory waterfowl, contributes b~iom to the commerciaJ economy, a=d ~ttracts
annual recreational spending of $1.2 billion per year. A partnership of private citizens, state md
loc.,.1 government, corporations, businesses a=d foundations has advanced a plan for the first
Interpretive River Center, to be locgt~ in, I>abuque, Iowa. Local agencies a~ud private citizens
are investin~e over 50% ofthe construction costs ~d '~ a~sume all of the operatinE ~
n'a.hntenance costs when the Center. is completed.
A Partnership Agreemem is now in plato between the Mississippi River M~seum mud the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to interpret the Upper MiSsissipp5 River Wildl/fe and Fish Refuge. A
pa,vmership is being finalized with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valle), Divhion,
to interpret the Upper Ivfississipp~ River.
The Mississippi R/vet Museum and the C~, of Dubuque ~re requesting :52 million for
plarm/ng, site development, and construction a~ p~rt of the U.S. Fish & ~dlL-re Se.vim budget
for FY 2000. to be fully maxch~ by non-fede~ sources. The people of our five states are
commuting $13 million toward tiffs $26 million Center. Addition~y, over $8 million in private
funds have been r~dsed thus far.
e offer our strong and a~-ue, hzed support to the creation of tbJs m~jor new Interpretive
Center. We ~sk you for your funcling support to make the Upper Mississippi River Imerprefive
pzg¢ 2
Center ~ reality, not ju~ for the people of our slates, ha! as ~.n education, environmen~ and '
cul~umJ gift to America and the world.
$inc~r¢ly,
Sta~e of lltinois
~~ vemor Sesse~
e ofV~Ssconsin ' ~~sota -
Governor Mel Camm.Mn
Stale of Missouri
i~a~ington, ~ 20515-t502
September 10, 1998
The Honorable Ralph Re.on:la
Subcommittee On The interior
B-308 Rayburn Hous~ ~ffice Building
Washington, D.~
Dear Chairman :
As the House and the Senate prepare for the upcoming
Interior Appropriations conference, I would like to express my
strong support for the retention of funding in the Senate
Interior Appropriaticns bill for the Upper Mississippi'River
Refuge Interpretive Center in Dubuque, Iowa.
The Interior A~Drcpriations bill passed by the Senate
includes $1.2 mill~n in funding for the Interpretive Center.
This initiative would benefit the entire nation by providing a
world-class center for interpreting and exploring the history
of the Upper Mississippi River. The Interpretive Center would
also serve as the nucleus for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife refuge
which extends 261 miles ncrth and south of Dubu~de. Currently,
there is no interpretative center for this refu~e, which is
visited by over 3 million people a year.
I urge you to give every consideration to this
worthy
project. Please do not hesitate to ccntact me if you have any
questions.
!S~n.~erely,
,im Nussle
ember of Congress
John C. Culver
March 10, 1999
Mr. Kun Dedd
(_ ]e~k. Minority Staff'
Senate Committee on Appropriations
Imerior and Related Agencies
SH-]23 Hah Senate Office Building
\Vashington. DC 20510-6033
D.ar Kun.
I am ~n-iting in support oftbe $13 m Il'on do lar approprianon request which is pending before
)'our Subcomminee for the Mississippi River Discovery Center in Dubuque, Iowa.
I lived in McGregor, a nearby community, for man3, years and was privileged to represent
Dubuque and the Northeast comer of the State bordering the river in both the U.S. House of
Representatives and the U.S. Senate for 16 years.
I have thus had a great interest in the river and the Center project is an outstanding partnership
which will enrich the understanding and appreciation of all who visit this remarkable historic
region and it's spectacular environment.
l know you have extraordinary competing demands on limited resources but my enthusiasm for
what they are doing with this exciting effort compelled me to write and express my strong
feeling~ in this matter. -
I do greatly appreciate the Committee giving this most ~vorthwhile funding request eve23,
appropriate consideration. Thank you ve~, much.
bcc: Teri Goodman
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
April 26, 1999
National Endo~Tnent for the Humanities
c/o Je?,y Enzier, DirecTor
Dubuque County Historical Society
P.O. Box 266
Dubuque, IA 52004-0266
Dear Friends:
I strongly endorse the application of the Dubuque County Historical Society for NEH
Challenge Grant funds to support the establishment oft.he Mississippi River Discover3, Center
and the creation of four endowed positions at the Museum.
· The River Discovery Center will be a significant expansion to the Mississippi River
Museum's offerings. It will examine human relationships with one of the nation's greatest
nalural resources, the Mississippi Pdver, and interpret our attitudes towards the river over time.
The Museum is also applying for funds to create endowed positions for curator of
environmental history, education director, lead interpreter and collections manager. These
positions will significantly strengthen the museum's ability, to present the humanities to the
public.
The Mississippi River Museum is an outstanding institution. It has developed an
enthusiastic and dedicated constituency. /ts organization is exceptionally effective and ils
progr~s are pacesetting. An NEH Challenge Grant would recognize a maj0~ regional'
educational center and would enable the Museum to leverage vital financial resoumes.
Thank you for your consideration.
WLB/mes
Sincerely yours,
Willard L. Boyd
Professor of Law and
President Emeritus
University of Iowa and The Field Museum
College of Law 280 lloyd I~w Bldg. Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1113 FAX 3t9/335-9098/,335.9019
O~ice pr'the Chairman7
]100 ?etTn.?lraniD Avenue.
tt 'r*~hington, DC 20~06
Februaryt5,2000
Jerry A. Enzler, Director
Dubuque County Historical Socie:y
P.O. Box 2~_~6
Dubuque, lA 52004-0266
Dear Mr. Enzler:
On behalf of the National Endox~nent for the Humanities, I would like to
congratulate you on your NEH challenge grant. The Endo~*nent is very pleased to join
with you in stren~hening humanities activities at the Dubuque County Historical Society.
This is a high honor: yours is one o£only seven museums and historical organizations to
receive such an award in fiscal year 2000.
As you know, NEH challenge ~ants are awarded onlv after a demanding peer
review process. Your proposal was reviewed by directors of'history museums and other
historical organizations who have expertise in long-term planning for the humanities.
These evaluators were especially impressed ~4th the humanities themes selected for the
River Discovery Center. This effort will be an important addition to the general public's
understanding of the nature oft. he river and the ways in which people and the natural
world interact. Going far beyond the scope of most county historical societies, your
organization has become a vehicle for telling the big stow of the Mississippi River to
local, regional, and national audiences.
Again, congratulations on 5'our NEH challenge ~ant. We are delighted to be a
funding panner for this exciting endeavor, and I Inope others will join with us in
supporting the enrichment oflhe humanities in America.
Sincerely,
Will/am R. Ferris
Chairman
National 'Audubon Society
May 18, 1998
Congressman Ralph Regzla .-
Un/ted States House of Representatives
2309 Rayburn Office Building '
.Wasking~on, D.C. 20515
Dear Representative Re~ala:
Gunnels in Senator Harkin's office at 202-224-1214.
".'~. "7- : ': Sincerely, ' ' ' ' :
· :- ~ Mc'~ess .
'-: : "l~or" '- ~ ' . '
Upper Missis}ippi River Cam. palps:
.": -~(. ~
Minnesom Audubon Council
26 East Exchange S~zeet. Suite 207
St. Paul, ivan 55101
~ FAX: (612) 225.4686
· 'md ~ ildli£e Service budget for Dlarmino =,,a ~:* , · _ g fthe U.S. Fish
-. . , ..... ne ~=e~empment for an Upper Mississippi River
Natigna/Wildlife mad Fish Refuge bterprefive Center to be loent*cl in Dubuque, Iowa.-
Senator Tom Harkin (Iowa) and senator Charles Gmssley (Iowa) am sending a letter supporting
.I~ appropriation as ~ of[he FY 1999 budget for the U.S. Fish and W'~ldlife Servi~e.
AS director of the National Audubon Society', Upper MississipPi Riv~ Camp~
· apport ofth~s appropfia~on in support of this natbnaLIy si~Hcant resource. Th~ appropriation-.
wo)ald augment the $6 million already raised by citiz~s f~om the five upper ri-ver
· . ' Iowa, Minnesota, MJssouri and Wisconsin) ~nd w~uld assm-e ma addlfiormf $7 million in non=
.~ f~eral funds, dependent upon favoraN, e s~tpport fi'om Con~s this yem-.· - ..
, Thr.ee ~nportant reasons to support this appropri~on are: ' '
-.: . · /nremmfc'r$1.2m~l~onbsupponfi. om Congress, thee~fizensofflaereg~onare
- ": .willing ~ commit $13 nfiLlion in non-federal s~pport -
. · The Dubuqae River Museum MI! assume ali ongoing expenses of the interpre~ve
center wkhotrt ongoing costs ~o the fedenfl government.
The U.S. ' " ' " - ' " - '
· Fmh and Wildlife Sen'ice, R~g/on 3, and the museum have signed a 20%year
parmersh/p agreement
in ' . for the museum to interpret, the refuge. Ths museum, located
Dubuque, Iowa, m located at the junct/on of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin and
, . -: serves .in,~mational and natiorm/visitors through Chicmgo and.Milwaukee.. ·
'-Tae Upper I\,5$sissippi River National Wildlife and Fish Re,~ge is the nat/0n's longest~nd most--
. eommercml navigation system." , ,-, . ...... .~ o~gnificant
.4.s a'Izeasm-ed ' ' - ~ . ' .
snppork economic and ecol%mcat resource, flzis river and the people it Serves need y6ttr
· Please contact Jolm Conrad in Senator Crrasstey's' office at 202-224-3744 or Warren
. .. ' Mirmesota Chapter'~ 9f Nati-onal ~u~ubon Soci"ei-y: '~-.~
· . , . M --'~-~-- ....... :ers · ~t. raul · White Pine - Wild Rive~ · Zumbro Va/lc .!~. ~
PHONE: 319-589-~.~41
FAX: 319-589-4478
~T~$E
DUBUQUE, IOWA 52001-7053
April t9, 1999
DONNA L SMITH
ALAN R. MANTERNACH
JIM WALLER
The Honorable Tom Harldn
Un/ted States Senate
531 Hart Office Building
Wast'in,on DC 20510
Dear Senator Harkin:
We thank you for your support of the Dubuque, Iowa, America's River project and believe that
the project represents an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate your leadership as a steward
of A_mer/ca's natural resources. As you know, this project will celebrate America'S greatest
river, the Mississippi, appropriately at Dubuque, Iowa where, thanks to President Carter and
Senator Culver, Julien Dubuque's Mines of Spa.in are preserved, and where the National Rivers
Hall of Fame is located, and where 65,000 people anmlally visit the ex/sting Mississippi River
Museum.
With your leadership, we have been able to enjoy the Federally-designated wildlife refuge just
north of Dubuque, on the Mississippi River; the Ame~ca's River project will enhance that refuge
and will interpret the River to people fi-om thoughout the entire planet earth.
Dubuque County is justifiably proud of the pro~ession of events initiated here to preserve our
cultural her/tage, and to present the rich history of our Dubuque County, one of the two original
Iowa Counties, and the River s predominant role m ~t, to succeeding generations.
America's River has brought together Dubuque County and City governments, the Dubuque
County Histor/cal Society., the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, the State of Iowa and
private individuals and foundations. This collaboration has also involved environmentalists,,
industry professionals and citizens from around the re,on and nation to create an interpretative
and education center.
It is estimated that we can expect 175,000 visitors per year, where people can enjoy the natural
wonder of the Mississippi River and learn of its role in the development of this nation. The
vision for the Center is that it will interpret not only the natural wildlife and waterfowl and the
wetlands, but the recreational and commercial pm'poses of the River as well, and the balance that
must consJnue to manage it as the v/tal environmental and economic resource that it is.
Page 2
Senator Harkin
April 19, 1999
The collaborat~on in p anmng this Cen:er includes agreements with Bill HarP,rig, Director,
Region Three, U.S. Fish and Wildlife in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Major General Phitlip
Anderson, Mississippi Valley division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vic 'ksburg,
Mississippi.
Th/s Center, to be located in the Ice Harbor at Dubuque, adjacent to the existing museums and
the proposed Mississippi R/verwalk, MI1 also include a two-acm outdoor demonslration wetland
as a habitat for wildlife and a living h/story outpost featurb, g a Native American village, a
French voyager camp and commercial fishing and clamming camps. The restored national
landmark steam dredge, William M. Black will be a place for children to spend the night in crew
quarters mad eat in the boat's mess to learn about the role of the Corps of Enghaeers in managing
the boat.
When the America's River project is complete, visitors to Dubuque can experience all of the
wonder of the Mississippi River, begirm/ng with the actual seventeenth centm'y lead mine sites
located in the 1200-acre Mines of Spain Recreation Center, and continuing with the existing
R/verfi-ont museums, the National Landmark Pre-Civil war Old Jail, and the hundreds of sites
listed on the National Register, illustrating the progression of events that have shaped our County
and our nation. We will, of course, welcome visitors to the beautiful Dubuque County
Courthouse, the first building in Iowa to be listed on the National Register.
cost ~or the Amerzca s Rzver project ~s estu-nated at $24.5 rmllion. Already, $6.1 million in
private gigrs and non-federal grants has been raised, including a $1 million dollar direct
appropriation fi.om the State of Iowa. To date $11 million has been raised.
We are thanking you for your help and leadership ha securing a m~or river project for Dubuque,
which h~ been on your agenda for ma~v }'ears, and in obtain/rig 52 million federal funding for
the project; as you kno~v, this funding request is supported by all five governors and more than
15 congressional leaders of the Upper Mississippi states.
The America's River project is a gand vision for all of America; please help us to make this
vision a reality. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DUBUQUE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Dorma L. Smith, Chairperson
GREATER
DUBUQU
DEVELOPMENT
December 14, 2000
Iowa Department of Economic Development Board of Directors
Vision Iowa Program
200 rS. Grand ~.venue
Des Moines, lowa 50309
Dear Directors:
On behalf of Greater Dubuque Development, I write you with both pride and enthusiasm for
/Lq~e~.~a~ ,~zveq clearly the boldest project undertaken by the people of Dubuque in more than
~0 years.
After losing both population and businesses in the 1980's, many predicted the worst for Iowa's
oldest city. Because of a decade of sacrifice, vision, and downright hard-work, Dubuque is on
the comeback trail. ~
H6wever, despite Dubuque's renewed energy and vibrant optimism, serious challenges still
exist. Dubuque, like the rest of Iowa, is facing a looming population crisis. Sadly, many of our
best and brightest leave in search of new opportunities and exhilarating experiences. Some
come back to their future and come home to Dubuque. Many, however, do not.
Because Iowa's overall quality of life is second-to-none, it begs the question: What are we
missing? It is our firm belief that bold, exciting attractions are the missing pieces to Iowa's
quality of life advantage. Whether it's keeping our young people here or converting visitors into
lifeiong Iowa residents, we believe that America's R/veris the type of bold, exciting attraction
that Iowa needs.
For more than 150 years, Dubuque has served as a gateway into Iowa. Lured by the mighty
Mississippi River and the promise of a new day, generations of Iowans passed through Dubuque
on their journey to our beautiful state.
What's old is new again. With your support of the America's Riverproject, the rolling bluffs of
the Mississippi, near a City called Dubuque, will once again become a gateway into Iowa.
Director
770 Town Clock Plaza ~ Dubuque, !owa 52001 ~ Phone: (31~} 557-P049 - Fax: (3t9) 557-105P - tnternet hnp~//w'~",vgreaterdubuque.org