Scenic Byways Grant Application
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MEMORANDUM
December 28, 2004
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Federal Highway Administration Grant Application
Assistant City Manager Cindy Steinhauser is recommending approval of an application
to the Federal Highway Administration for the funding of the National Scenic Byway
Program. While the 20% match would come from the Historical Society, the City of
Dubuque would be considered the recipient of the grant. The City would coordinate
with the Historical Society on bidding and grant requirements.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
II li / 'lÞk'
1/, // I: '/
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Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
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D~
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MEMORANDUM
December 28, 2004
TO:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM:
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Federal Highway Administration Grant Application
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council approval of an application
to the Federal Highway Administration for the funding of the National Scenic Byway
Program.
Discussion
Attached is a letter and grant application from Jerry Enzler, Executive Director of the
Dubuque County Historical Society is requesting the City of Dubuque serve as the grant
applicant for funding to the Federal Highway Administration for an interpretive exhibit.
As indicated in this information the application would be to provide for continuation of
the network of museums and interpretive centers that are part of the National Scenic
Byway program. Included in this application is the construction of a long-term exhibit on
the National Scenic Byway program that would be located at the National Mississippi
River Museum and Aquarium as well as construction of a smaller traveling exhibit that
would be on display at the remaining 57 museums located on the river.
The total cost for this project is $600,000 with 80% of the funding or $480,000 being
requested from the Federal Highway Administration. The remaining 20% or $120,000
of the project cost would be provided by the Dubuque County Historical Society as the
match. If approved, the City of Dubuque would be considered the recipient of the grant
and city staff would work with the Dubuque County Historical Society in implementing
the grant requirements. This would include formal bidding of the construction of the
project as well as reporting requirements and grant closeout.
Reauest
The request is for City Council to approve the request from Dubuque County Historical
Society to serve as the grant applicant for funding to the Federal Highway
Administration for an interpretive exhibit.
Cc:
Jerry Enzler, Dubuque County Historical Society
~
~ NATIONAL
MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM
& AQUARIUM
'NASSOC,^T'ONW'THTHE SM'THSON,^N 'NST'TUT'ON
December 28, 2004
Mayor Terry Duggan
Members of the City Council
SOW. 13'bSt.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council:
The Dubuque County Historical Society requests the sponsorship of the City of Dubuque in its
application to the National Scenic Byway Program. The project will continue the network of
museums and interpretive centers on the Great River Road headquartered at Dubuque and win
create a major exhibit about the Mississippi River which will be a long term at the National
Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium with portions of that same exhibit traveling to various
museums an along the Mississippi River. We are proud to have the leadership role in a
consortium of 58 museums in ten states along the Mississippi and this exhibit will further
support that leadership as wen as advance the specific goals of the National Mississippi River
Museum & Aquarium.
The project total is $600,000, with $480,000 requested from the Federal Scenic Byway program
and $120,000 in matching funds provided by the Dubuque County Historical Society. The City
will have no financial obligation for this program other than staff time to work with us to prepare
bidding documents and complete reports.
To our knowledge there is no other grant being submitted by the city of Dubuque for this grant
program.
We continue in our thanks to you and City staff who support and assist the Historical Society in
projects like this which help us sustain and improve the National Mississippi River Museum and
Aquarium and the entire America's River project at the Port of Dubuque. Thank you for your
help.
Sincerely,
d!çt~5~
Executive Director
JE/ms
350 East 3rd Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563.557.9545
Fax 563,583,1241
www.",ermuseum.com
A prop""'f'"Dobo", C"",y H;"";,,, 5";,,,
~L SCENOC
BYWAYS PROGRAM
Project Summary 2005
FHW A National Scenic Byways Program
This application must be completed online at http://www.bywaysonline.org/grants/, and
submitted electronically and in printed form.
Project No. Project Name
SB-IA-2005-52492 The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great
River Road Network of Museums and Interpretive
Centers
State Submission Date Division Submission Date ¡State Priority
Project Category
Which category best describes the location of this project?
. Project associated with an All-American Road or a National Scenic Byway.
0 Project along a State-designated scenic b at is carried out to make the
byway eligible for designation as an AII-A Road or a National Scenic
Byway.
0 Project involving the planning, design, and
byways program.
of a State scenic
Choose from the following categories of eligible work the type that best fits your project.
0 State Programs
0 Corridor Management
0 Safety Improvements
0 Byway Facilities
0 Access to Recreation
0 Resource Protection
. Interpretive Information
0 Marketing
Is this an application for a seed grant?
0 Yes
. No
Is this application a resubmission of an unfunded project from a previous year?
0 Yes
. No
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of MuseUms and
Project Location
States involved in project:
Iowa (primary), Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Tennessee, Wisconsin
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of MuseGms and
Project Location (continued)
Indicate the byway's regional location within the State. Reference prominent landmarks
such as parallel major highways, natural features, counties, or large cities, that makes
the byway(s) easy to locate in a road atlas.
The Great River Road - the eastern borders of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas and
Louisiana; and the western borders of Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky,Tennessee, Mississippi-
along both sides of the Mississippi River from Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
Dubuque, Iowa is located on the Iowa Great River Road at the juncture of Iowa, Illinois, and
Wisconsin.
Briefly describe the project location(s) on the byway using references to route numbers,
byway gateway communities, project location communities and lançlmarkS so any
reviewer can identify the project sites.
Highway 61, 52, and other routes along both sides of the,Mississppi Rver. Communities
likely to host the major exhibit include Minneapoli&"Mihtiêsota; Prescòtt,Wisconsin;
Davenport, Iowa; Dubuque, Iowa; Alton, Illinois;StLouis, Missouri; padllcah, Kentucky;
Memphis, Tennessee; Helena, Arkansas; Tunica., Mississíppi.and New Orlêå11s, Louisiana.
Over 40 other communities along the MississippíWillbeencÓ\iraged to hosfasmaller
version of the exhibit.
Associated
AR
IL
Great River Road - Arkansas
Great River Road - lllínois
IA
MN
Great River Road - Iowa
Great River Road - Minnesota
River Road - Wisconsin
Great River Road
Lousiaina Great River Road
Mississippi Great River Road
Missouri Great River Road
Tennessee Great River Road
Is this project consistent with the Corridor Management Plan(s) for the byway(s)
involved?
. Yes
0 No
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Musel!ms and
Congressional Districts
AR
AR 4
IA
IA 2
IA 4
IL 12
IL 17
KY
LA 2
LA 5
LA 6
MN
MN 4
MN 5
MN 8
MO
MO
MO
MS
TN 8
TN 9
WI 3
Berry, Marion
Ross, Mike
Nussle, Jim
Leach, James A.
Latham, Tom
Costello, Jerry F.
Evans, Lane
Whitfield, Ed
Jefferson, William J.
Alexander, Rodney
Baker, Richard H.
Gutknecht, Oil
McCollum, Betty
Sabo, Martin Olav
Oberstar, James L.
Gephardt, Richard A.
Emerson, Jo Ann
Hu1shof, Kenny C.
Thompson, Bennie G.
Tanner, John S.
Ford, Harold E. Jr.
Kind, Ron
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Muse6ms and i
Abstract
Project Description
This project will continue the highly successful Great River Road Network of Museums and
Interpretive Centers. With this project, the network undertakes a major collaborative effort - the
creation of an interactive and compelling exhibit and education program. The Mississippi:
Rivers to the Sea will be shown at major river museums along the Great River Road in each of
the ten states. Smaller variations will be available to all of the 58 museums in the network,
creating a unique simultaneous interpretation of the byway and further enhancing collaboration
between all ten states. Outreach educational efforts will reach a far broader audience as well.
Byway Benefits
This project benefits the byway traveler by creating a majodhterpretive exl\ibit and education
program which tells the stories of the Mississippi. Byxiewing this exhibit and the related
educational programs, the byway traveler will be strUckby the magnitude of the Mississippi and
the important roles it plays in America, both historicallyandtodäy.' Collaboratioobetween the
museums in the ten states will make this a powerful exhibitwhich will have an estimated
audience of 800,000 people during its first year alone. Ariestimated 4 million byway travelers
will see the exhibit and be reached bytheeducätion programs over the life of the project.
Narrative
Project Summary
The Mississippi: Rivets to the Sea exhibit will be a significant expansion of the collaboration
among the melIlbersofthe Great River Road Network of Interpretive Centers. By working
together to create an interpretive exhibit which will be displayed at the major museums and
interpretive centers along the Great River Road, the network will be unified and dedicated to a
single purpose.
The exhibit will explore and interpret the primary themes selected by all ten states for
interpretation of the Mississippi River and the Great River Road.
The exhibit will be created by the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in
coordination with several major museums in the network. In Iowa this will include:
oNational Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium - Dubuque
*The Putnam Museum - Davenport
oThe Pearl Button Museum - Muscatine
oEffigy Mounds National Monument - Marquette
oKeokuk River Museum - Keokuk
oMines of Spain - Dubuque
*Guttenberg Aquarium and Fish Hatchery
oToolesboro Indian Mounds Nat. Historic Landmark -Toolesboro, Iowa
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Muse6ms and I
Project Summary (continued)
'Old Fort Madison - Fort Madison
Mississippi Valley Welcome Center - LeClaire
*Nahant Marsh- Davenport
The exhibit will collaborate with institutions an along the ten state Great River Road, with at
least one in each state. These institutions will be:
'The Minnesota Science Center and National Park Service Mississippi River Visitors Center-
Minneapolis, Minnesota
'Villa Louis Historic Site, State Histoncal Society of Wisconsin-
-National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium - Dubuque.
* The Great Rivers Museum, U.S. Army Corps
-The Putnam Museum - Davenport, Iowa
* The Museum of Westward Expansion at the
The River Museum - Paducah, Kentucky
-Mississippi River Museum at Mud Island-
-The Delta Cultural Center - Helena,Arkansas
'Mississippi River Park - Tunica, Mississippi
-The Historic New OrJeansCollection -New OrJea.1\s,
* Louisiana State .Historical Society - New Orleans,Louisiana
Wisconsin
Park Service -
Missouri
In addition the museum collaborators willwork with each of the ten state historical societies
along the Great River Roadforad¡litionaFcontent information, loan of artifacts or images, and
coordination of storyline.
Byway Traveler
The MississippiRivers to the Sea will be
I) a. major exhibit installation at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in
Dub1Jque, Iowa. as well as
2) anåtional touring exhibition that travels through the ten state byway, and
3) smaller panel versions of the exhibit to be exhibited throughout the byway at multiple
locations simultaneously.
This project is consistent with the ten state Great River Road Strategic plan "
1. The primary exhibit will be created under the leadership of the National Mississippi River
museum & Aquarium. This new museum, created with the partnership and/or support of 14
federal agencies including the National Scenic Byway grant program, is now in its second year
and already over 500,000 visitors have visited the Museum. The Museum and Aquarium has
been awarded the Iowa Attraction of the Year, Rand McNally top pick, and a host of other
national and regional awards. The museum has won several awards from National Endowment
for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and other federal agencies
based on the excellence of its exhibits.
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Museilms and:
Byway Traveler (continued)
2. A national traveling exhibit will also be created, replicating most of the elements at the
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. This will be on display in each of the ten
states, from 2007 through 2009. This national traveling exhibit will carry the fun impact of the
major exhibit at Dubuque, with the exception of the original artifacts. These traveling
components will include richly illustrative exhibit panels, photographs, lithographs historic
images, video components, hands on interactives, and other elements which can easily be
replicated.
3. A number of smaller variatIOns of the exhibit will be e created for traveling as well. These
will be exhibited throughout the byway in multiple locations simultanêouslyduring 2007 and
2008. A steamboat museum such as the Keokuk River museum might host the steamboat
portion of the exhibit, while a fur trade site such as VillaL..Quisin Prairie duo Chien might focus
on thew fur trade component. The byway traveler willkn.ow that there are rhliltiple locations to
view the exhibit and the unique conaboration of theSê5$.museurrtsshould increäsêtravel nd
understanding of this national
willbelaunched in spring, 2007, which
firSt commercially successful steamboat.
the Great River Road during 2007,
This major interpretive focus on the
coincides with the 200th anniversary
The result will be a major emphasis
creating a national focus.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, by its special status as a Smithsonian
Affiliate, will work with the Smithsonian Institution on exhibit content and possible loan of
artifacts. The MuseUrh l1as already discussed loan from the Smithsonian of the earliest known
steam generation plantìnthe United States, an object which is currently stored at the
Smithsonian's Museum of American History. This rare steam boiler dates to the same time
period that Fulton invented the first commercially successful steamboat, thereby opening up the
Mississippi for commerce and settlement.
Each participating institution will be responsible for providing content review and suggestions
for additional content. They will also be responsible for providing the space for the exhibit,
insurance the exhibit when under its care, and local marketing to supplement the national
marketing effort.
These 58 centers in 10 states formed a network seven years ago, and initial planning was
supported by Scenic Byway funding in FY 2002 to create signage and interpretive brochures.
This is the next step is the network's strategic plan which was approved by the National
Mississippi River Parkway Commission (the national Great River Road.) This led to the
development of national strategies for interpretation.
In May 2002, the America's Byways Resource Center, in cooperation with the Mississippi River
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Muse6ms and
Byway Traveler (continued)
Parkway Commission (the Great River Road), sponsored a two-day workshop in St. Louis to
plan interpretation strategies along the 10-state Great River Road corridor. Attendees included
representatives from each of the 10 MRPC states, byway leaders from nationally designated
scenic byway segments of the route, federal agencies, and resource people and interpretive
specialists from private and public organizations.
The workshop resulted in the identification of one overall theme and 11 related themes for
telling the stories of the Great River Road. These themes were approved by the MRPC at its
national meeting in August 2002 and provide the guidelines for the exhibit Mississippi: Rivers
to the
Sea. The exhibits created by this project will relate to and interprerthese.themes as far as
possible:
Overall Theme:
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IS THE FLOW OF
AND PEOPLES.
Theme 1: The Mississippi River is a ribb()l of life for
plants and animals.
a. The Mississippi River system hostsyästly diyerse.habitäts,including sloughs, side channels,
and oxbow lakes,whiehsllpport a widevarietyof¡J!a.nrand animal species comprising a
significant component of thecontinent'sþio"diversity. Congress recognizes the Upper
Mississippi as a nationally significant ecosystem.
b.Prior to settlement by Europeans and hydrologic modification, the Mississippi River flooded
approximately21 million acres, depositing rich alluvial sediments that supported millions of
acres of forestWetlan&"I'oday fewer than 5 million acres of these forests remain as important
sources for timber and wildlife habitat. The rich alluvial soils support agricultural production.
c. The Mississippi River is home to many rare, threatened, and endangered species, including
both state-listed and federally listed species. Federally listed species are bald eagle, peregrine
falcon, Louisiana black bear, pallid sturgeon, Mississauga rattler, and two freshwater mollusks:
Higgins eye and fat pocketbook.
d. The Mississippi River has international importance as a migratory corridor for mid-continent
water-fowl populations. The river corridor is also important for maintenance, conservation, and
preservation of diverse mid-continent fish and wildlife populations.
e. Development and change in the Mississippi River, during and immediately after the last
glacial advance and retreat, have influenced the location and character of the present river,
including the deposit of "Ice Age" loess soil.
f. The Mississippi River is a dynamic system involving sedimentation, erosion, channel changes,
floods, and droughts.
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Muse9ms and
Byway Traveler (continued)
g. The Mississippi River's watershed - about 1,250,000 square miles - extends from the
Allegheny Mountains and drains parts of two Canadian provinces and 31 states.
h. The natural history of the Mississippi River, including it geography, geology, flora, fauna,
and ecology, is a vital component in the river's importance and relationship to the entire United
States.
i. The origin, character, and development of the river's landforms affect human use of the river
corridor.
TheI]1e 2: As the river has influenced people, people have
a. Local, state, and federal agencies regulate, protect, preserve, and enhance al resources.
State-of-the-art resource management and environniehtal engiJ)eermg approac in both the
upper and lower Mississippi River restore wetlands. AJa:I¡gepürtion of the uppettiver corridor
is a federally designated refuge.
b. Individuals and private and interagency groups (such as the Upper Mississippi River
Conservation Committee, the Izaak Walton League, GREAT, and Environmental Management
Programs) have played pioneering roles, especially on the upper river, in protecting the welfare
and integrity of the river environment for future generations to enjoy.
c. Many areas along the river arerelatively pristine and isolated despite the environmental
transformation caused by historic and contemporary human activity.
d.Sedimentation alters fish and wildlife habitats, impedes commercial and recreational
navigation, increases frequency of dredging, and can contribute to degraded water quality
conditions. . Historical erosion and displacement of rich topsoil of the Midwest have had
negative effects on Midwest agriculture and way of life, but have helped create and maintain the
delta in Louisiana.
e. Exotic plant and animal species pose severe threats to the river's natural inhabitants and
municipal, industrial, and recreational activities on the river..
f. Pollutants from a number of sources, including spills, continue to degrade Mississippi River
water quality. This results in fish consumption advisories, non-attainment of water quality
standards, algae blooms, nutrient enrichment, high turbidity, and decreasing populations of
intolerant aquatic species,
j. The cumulative effects of recent human intervention in the Mississippi River natural system
are many: channel modifications have altered erosion cycles, channel bed stability, and sediment
loads.
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of MuseOms and
Byway Traveler (continued)
k. The Mississippi River is a major recreational resource. The river's easy access and diverse
resources attract millions of people annually, but the increasing number of people using the river
creates problems and concerns among different user groups.
Theme 3: The Mississippi River has nurtured prehistoric and historic cultures.
a. A great diversity of cultures existed in pre-European times beginning around 12,000 years
before the present (B.P.), with the Paleo-Indian hunters of the mammoth and .mastodon. Archaic
hunters and foragers of 9000 B.P. followed. Then the Woodland Mound builders of the
Hopewell culture came. Later, the Misssissippian and Oneonta cultures With prosperous farms
flourished in the half-century before the time of Columbus.
b. From the earliest settlement, patterns of economic exchanges and alliancesfacilitated by the
Mississippi River system influenced cultural developments in .theMidwest and Old Southwest
that distinguished these regions from their counterpart$ontheEast Coast.
c. The most sophisticated prehistoric lridiaricivilization noJ;'lliof Mexico, centered at Cahokia
Mounds, established aregiüüal center for Mississippian caltureat the primary confluences of
the Mississippi, Misso).ÛÎ., Illinois, and Ohio. Ri'VerS.
d. Human inhabitants of the MississippiR.iver Valley have adapted to its rich biotic resources;
these adaptations, Which ìnvoI'Vehunting,fishing, and resource-gathering techniques, a great
'Variety ofw¡¡tercraftarid water-related material culture, and centuries of folk wisdom, constitute
an essential unit of Mississippi River ecological analysis.
Theme 4: The Mississippi River inspires a variety of folk life, literary, fine art, and musical
forms.
a. The indigenous music of the Mississippi River includes folk, gospel, blues, jazz, rock,
country, and folk songs of traditional river people. An interweaving of Creole, Cajun, Anglo-
Celtic, and African-American musical traditions inspired these unique sounds.
b. The Mississippi River Valley nourished a rich oral tradition that contributed to a distinctive
regional literature and nurtured and disseminated regional linguistic diversity.
c. The fluidity of populations in "golden era" river towns (before lock and dam) gave the
settlements a diverse and boisterous character. Long-lasting stereotypes of "river rat" behavior
and character emerged, furnishing never-ending fuel for literary imaginations and contributing
to the American frontier's mythology.
d. The Mississippi River has served as a channel for the movement of ideas, and the
dissemination and diffusion of material, folk, and popular culture can be traced both east and
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of MusElams and 1
Byway Traveler (continued)
west from the Mississippi River, as well as along its north-south course.
e. A wealth of intricate traditional knowledge regarding the Mississippi River survives among
the few people whose livelihoods still depend on the river. While river people have adapted this
knowledge to modem times, it still shares much with what the pilots of Mark Twain's time
knew, connecting river users through the ages.
f. The Mississippi River Valley has a multicultural history, with many ethnic peoples playing
significant roles and contributing to the arts, letters, music, historic events, andt¡:aditional
culrure.
Theme 5: The Mississippi River has profoundly shaped American history.
a. The historical Mississippi River fur trade mergedIndiånand European cul(ures. Native
people, trappers, and the parent trading companies iri.!~racted to. have an impactÒhEuropean
settlement, regional economic growth, European Ame and American Indian culture, and
American Indian/European AmericanrelätiC>J)ships. r trade moved up the Missouri
River, the trans-Mississippi west opene4tO'American settlément.
b. The central story of post-Columbian American Indian history in the Mississippi River valley
is the process by which European and American settlers displaced native tribes and disrupted
their cultural base.
c.Thé history of the Mississippi RiVer is significant not only to Americans but to Europeans, as
the river was an important border zone between rival colonial powers and played a major role in
opening the continent to French, Spanish, British, and American exploration trade, and
settlement.
d.TheMississippi River system (including the Ohio and Missouri Rivers) provided access to the
intetior and southern outlet for surplus goods, linked the eastern states with the west instead of
with Europe, allowed for political unity via the Louisiana Purchase, supported the spread of the
southern cotton economy and slavery-based labor system, and sustained a distinct American
culture.
e. Slavery became a significant political, economic, and social issue in American history
because of its expansion into the Mississippi River Valley. The river was central to the
operations of the plantation and the creation of a planting "aristocracy" in the antebellum South,
which dominated political, economic, and social affairs in the lower Mississippi River Valley.
The river also served to transport enslaved people downriver and offered a route north to
freedom for escaping fugitives.
f. By providing growth and opportunity, the Mississippi River Valley supported an American
democracy composed of individuals with strong beliefs iri. social ideals, responsibility, and
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of MusElams and I
Byway Traveler (continued)
populist reform.
Theme 6: The strategic importance of the Mississippi River has resulted in conflict between
nations and peoples.
a. The Mississippi River has played a central role in American Indian, American, and
international military history. The river was a prize of war and a boundary in treaties. It also
served as home to Civil War presidents and generals, and became key to the Civil War's
outcome. Later, it supported mobilization in World War II.
Theme 7: Mississippi River architecture reflects distinctive styles affeCfedpy cultural and
natural resources.
a. Architectural styles in Mississippi River towns
resources, ethnic culture, and construction dates.
by climate,
natural
b. Consistent architectural styles in Mi~sissippi River to\Ytisrefiect rapid communication and
flow of ideas along the river, the rapidity with Which therivéf was settled, the cultural
backgrounds of the first imrnigrants to m¡¡ke permø..,ent settJem~nts, and a deep cultural and
communicative gap belween river people and inland farming people.
c. Vernacular architecture along the Mississippi River reveals many ethnic influences.
d. Survivitigriver town architecture represents the boom years of wealth along the river, wealth
generated through transportation and other river-based commercial activities.
e.The ethnic diversity of the sman river towns provides international visitors with shared
architecture, language, cultural events, and history.
Theme 8: The Mississippi River is one of the world's great rivers noted for its beauty, grandeur
and diversity.
a. The richness and beauty of much of the Mississippi River corridor remain one of the nation's
"beEt-kept secrets." Scenic resources along the.Mississippi River are many and varied, offering
majestic bluff vistas as well as tranquil, low-lying views.
Theme 9: The history of Mississippi River transportation is a dramatic story reflecting the
river's economic and commercial importance.
a. The Mississippi River is a vital interstate trade route linking North and South, and through its
tributaries the Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Arkansas rivers, linking East and West.
b. Mississippi navigation has evolved from the transportation of goods in dugouts, pirogues,
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of MusáGms and I
Byway Traveler (continued)
rafts, bateaux, flatboats, and keelboats to the heyday of the steamboat era to establishment of the
present inland waterway system with its towboat and barges.
c. Eastern attempts to reach the Mississippi, the interior river of commerce, resulted in internal
improvement such as canals, turnpikes, bridges, and railroads.
d. Evidence of historic river transportation is preserved in the numerous documented and
undocumented shipwrecks that are recorded for the Mississippi River channels and its
backwaters.
e. The Mississippi River plays an important role in bulk
trade and provides the nation's most inexpensive means of
and world
f. The Mississippi River System is a federally
economic benefits to river communities and the
Theme 10: Mississippi River townsandcitiþs reflect
century life.
a. For most towns, the river was the location and site factor in economic development before the
1870s. Only limited, capital-intensive conventional economic development has ensued, but the
river now offers important opportunities for tourism development.
b. The physicallayollt of river towns provides access to the river and to adjacent lands, securing
an economic and cultural advantage over inland towns.
c. Navigatiörlarld flood.control improvements on the Mississippi have changed the river's
landscape to such an extent that both the upper and lower Mississippi River today differs
markedly fromthe natural river viewed by Indians, explorers, and early settlers.
Theme 11: The Mississippi River is a working river sustaining many industries.
a. Many industries depend on the river for water power and transportation and use the river for
its natural resources.
b. Historic river-based industries, including commercial fishing, pearl button, ice lead, and
timber, have given way to the present-day oil, cement, limestone, grain, and coal industries.
Other industries, including milling and hydroelectric generation, have spanned the decades.
Based on these themes and through the work of expert interpretive specialists from all ten states,
the Great River Rod developed an interpretive plan and tool kit which includes: Great River
Road National Interpretive Strategies, interpretive methods, and visitor profiles.
The National Interpretive Plan has these "Goals for the Network of Interpretive Centers" (and
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of MusEh!ms and I
Byway Traveler (continued)
the activities supported by this project are noted in parenthesis after each goal):
. GRR Goal: "Full-time staff to coordinate the network and work with state MRPC chairs to
maintain communication among Interpretive Centers, the MRPC Culture and Heritage
Committee, state Scenic Byway coordinators, state and local tourism officials, state and local
historic preservation offices, museums, and others" (This project will provide half time staff for
a period of two years to accomplish this coordination)
. GRR Goal: "Ongoing communication with the Interpretive Centers to include a website, e-
mail, a monthly newsletter, and regular individual and telephone contac!"(This project will
provide for the ongoing communication and enhance that communicatiönpecause of the
involvement in the creation of the exhibit and educational programs.)
. GRR Goal: "Expansion of the network to include emerging centers, researcþrepositories, and
other sites of interest not currently included in the network, thusJiriking planners,. interpreters,
historians, naturalists and others who are collectively telling the stories of the Mississippi River.
(This project will naturally lead to expansiönof the netw(Jrkas the process of exhibit creation
will involve planners, research repositoriesàrchaeologicalSites and other collaborators)
. GRR Goal: "Placement of signage at all centers in the network to provide an interpretive
element, identify the center as a member of the Great River Road network, and assist visitors in
finding their way along the route. (This task is already being completed, supported by the initial
$137,000 funding from Scenic Byways in FY 2002
GRR Goal:. "Interpretive brochures" - The Mississippi River Parkway Commission
currently utilizes a brochUre that provides a map of the Great River Road and a listing of the
narnes and locations of the Interpretive Centers. To complement general information, an
interpretive brochure, or a series of brochures, will be developed to focus on specific major
theI!lesal~hg the route. Interpretive materials should be designed with the input of participating
interpretive centers." (The first interpretive brochure is already being created, supported by the
initial $137,000 funding from Scenic Byways in 2002. This project will create interpretive
educational materials for use by the 58 museums.
GRR Goal: "Virtual tours" ~ Recognizing that most travelers will not drive
the entire route in one trip, stories related to the major themes will be developed for inclusion on
the Great River Road website (www.mississippiriverinfo.com), thus offering travelers a virtual
experience at sites not visited in person. States, communities and individual sites and attractions
will be linked to the interpretive site. Topics to be included in the Virtual Tour include
historical sites, architectural gems, wildlife refuges, recreational sites, Native-American sites,
ethnic and cultural sites, agricultural features, scenic locations, geological features, historical
cruises, unusual features, and the changing nature of the river." (This objective will be partially
met by the educational web site that is created to complement the exhibits created by this
project)
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of MusE!6ms and
Byway Traveler (continued)
GRR Goal: "A national magazine is recommended to generate awareness of
the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, the Great River Road, and the Mississippi River.
The quarterly magazine, with approximately 60 pages, should highlight major events, the MRPC
interpretive plan and interpretive themes." (This goal will not be addressed by this project)
GRR Goal: "Traveling exhibits on the Great River Road should be created in
conjunction with existing museums to tell the stories of the Mississippi. These exhibits could be
available at interpretive centers and museums along the river. They could eve¡) travel as crated
panels, as a discover truck or van, or even as a tloating exhibit." (This go<\1will be fully met by
this project with one long term exhibit, a major traveling exhibit to beshow¡¡ in each of the ten
states and smaller versions of the traveling exhibits to be show¡¡.i¡¡n1ültipklocations along the
Great River Road simultaneously.)
GRR Goal: "Special tours and cruises should be considered to focus attention
on the stories of the Mississippi River.. Th.ese might iriélüdecrüises on the DeltaQlieen,
American Queen, or Mississippi Queen; River Barge Excursions with educational programs;
motor coach tours to selected museums andi sites; canoe regattas with speakers; antique car trips
to historical locations; or other specialtOijrs desigì)edto intetþret the river." (The riverlorians of
the Delta Queen will be One öf the invited viewerS~°fthe exhibit and the riverlorians programs
given on the Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen maybe supplemented by the information
generated by this project.)
GRR Goal: "Audiotapes or CDs.shöuld be developed to tell the history
and culture of segments of the Great River Road. These could be marketed through information
centers, interpretive centers, and museums. They could be sold or rented, with the loaning
'institution refu¡¡ding a portion or all of the sale price when returned." (This goal can be
addressed by this project and the resulting information can be downloaded off the web before
byway travelers begin their journey)
GRR Goal: "A national conference should be held along the Great River Road
to present important issues relating to the history, culture or interpretation of the River. Such a
conference could be in coordination with the MRPC annual meeting, but marketed to the general
public or to historians and museum personnel in the region." (This goal will be. accomplished
by this project as several national meetings will be held to create, review, modify and finalize
the exhibit and educational construction. Meetings will be held in Paducah in fall, 2005, and La
Crosse in spring 2006.)
GRR Goal: "Television or radio features should be created on the
history or culture of the Mississippi River and Great River Road. These can be supported by
grants and sponsoring foundations for presentation on Public Television, The History Channel
or other channels."(This goal will be addressed by the creation of public service announcements
which will promote the exhibit. Larger length programs are also the subject of this project.)
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of MusE!6ms and
Byway Traveler (continued)
GRR Goal: "Maps should include interpretive information that
makes them more interesting to read. Wayside signage, typically the responsibility of each
state, should be considered at the entry to each state or for special sites along the route." (This
goal is already being met by the current project, supported by the initial $137,000 funding from
Scenic Byways in 2002.)
Exhibits using historic photographs, drawings, paintings, oral histories, and artifacts can all
effectively convey the story of the changes of a landscape through tlme...Bosse's photographs
express a great depth and breadth of visual culture in North America. "]]"he river means different
things to different people and that is the essence of the interpretive.stI"ategý.
As has been suggested by the Minnesota Great River Road and Hamlin University, the
Mississippi can be seen through the journey of a singIetaindro¡tåsit journeys down the river
from Lake Itasca. The emphasis is on thejourney. Tn '11.drop becomes a traveler as it floats
past communities, landscapes and natur<iFresources. T lias been developed as a character for
the watershed project at the Center foiGlobalEnvironm ducation at Hamline University,
St. Paul.
This type of interpretive display can créate,ariinunediäte single identity for a very broad topic:
what does the Miss~ssippi mean to you? The animated character becomes the spokesperson for
the river. , An animated character would befun and appeal to kids, who are a key in defining
vacation destinations. Development of initial contexts and themes are simplified because they
are established through the eyes of an animated character and in the context of his journey.
This project is also consistent with the Mississippi River Parkway Commission Five Year
Strategic Plan -August 2003 to August 2008. Creation of a national exhibit is one of the major
goals of that five year plan.
Prior Projects
Describe the relationship of this project to previously funded with National Scenic
Byways grant projects. In addition, discuss how the proposed work relates to any multi-
year work plan byway leaders have developed.
The Great River Road Network of Museums and Interpretive Centers was founded by the Great
River Road, working with the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque,
Iowa.
More than 50 museums and interpretive centers throughout the 10 states on the Great River
Road have been selected as participants in a national network of interpretive centers. Sites are
chosen based on their significance in interpreting important aspects of the river and the Great
River Road. The Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium at Dubuque, Iowa, serves as a lead
center.
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Mus~iZms and I
Prior Projects (continued)
This network resulted from a National Park Service recommendation more than 10 years ago.
The Culture and Heritage Committee of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission met twice
annually for five years to develop criteria for selection and inclusion. State historical societies,
preservation officers and tourism officials were contacted to nominate sites. These sites are
listed on the Great River Road Map, are on the Great River Road website, will soon be
identified by a sign at each location, and will be included on an interpretive map of Museums
and Centers.
In FY 2002, the city of Dubuque working with the National MississippiRiv~Museum received
a scenic byway grant of $737,376. $600,000 of that grant went tocreatèabyway facility - the
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium - which, since. itopenedinJune 2003 and has
welcomed more than 500,000 byway travelers. The rerp.;¡ining$137,000 of that FY 2002 Scenic
Byway grant was used for the network of museumsål1dinterpretive centers. Project activities
included hiring a full time coordinator for 18 months,cfeating$8'signs to identify each of the
museums and centers along the byway, and creating aninterpretive brochure explaining the
intrinsic resources interpreted at the 5Sro.useums and interpretive centers.
As a requirement of thatgtant, the city 'of Dubuque and theÌŸÍ\lseum and Aquarium worked with
all ten states for designÒfthesign, design ofthèbrochwe, and to maintain contact will all ten
state byway coordinators, Great River Road officials, and others.
In summary, this project relates to other Scenic Byways project as follows. It:
* Continues the networK. of interpretive centers which was established with $137,000 of Scenic
Byway FY 2002fundi!1g.
* Brings together these 58 museums an interpretive centers in the creation of a substantive
project whicl1will help cement their relationship of these 58 museums.
*Works with state Great River Road interpretive plans and other Scenic Byway funded projects
to ensure that it builds on those projects rather than duplicate or move in a different direction.
* Creates a major series of exhibits - a long term exhibit at Dubuque, a major traveling exhibit
to be shown in all of the ten states, and smaller portions of the exhibit which can be displayed in
smaller formats by all centers as their space and schedule permits. This will be especially useful
to centers which have been created. by Scenic Byway funding but have not been able to establish
their exhibit program yet.
This project:
is consistent with the themes developed by the ten states working with the American Byways
Resource Center at its ten state meeting in St. Louis,
is consistent with and fulfills an important goal of the ten state Great River Road interpretive
plan, and
is consistent with the Iowa Great River Road corridor management plan.
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippj: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Musá6ms and
Project Coordinator
Name
Laura Carstens
Agency/Group ¡Title
City of Dubuque Planning Services Manager
E-mail Address
1carsten@cityofdubuque.org
Phone I Fax
563-589-4210
Street Address
50 W. 13th Street
City I State ¡ZIP
Dubuque IA 52001
Review exhibit concepts
and suggest correct, ions
additions, deletions,
artifacts, visuals and
aretifacts for inc!usiòIIil1
exhibits
* AAD = Actual Award Date (estimated to be July 15, 2005)
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musuems, travel
Coordinate
communications among 58
museums during project
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Participating musuems will review concepts for the exhibit and
education programs to amplify, modify and colTect these concepts
to strengthen the overall interpretive effort for the byway traveler.
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Create primary and
traveling exhibits
Ju115, 2006
9 months
National
Mississippi River
Museum &
Aquarium
Create marketing and
educational materials
National
Mississippi River
Museum &
Aquarium
.s
* AAD = Actual Award Date (estimated to be July 15, 2005)
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An exhibit contractor will create the series of exhibits:
the long term exhibit at the National Mississippi River Museum and
Aquarium, the large traveling exhibit which will be made available
for viewing in each of the tenstat~s, and the smaller panel exhibits
matched to the specificjnterests of the smaller museums and
interpretive centers which win be made available to smaller venues
in the
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Mus~òms and I
Budget
Cost Breakdown
Coordinator - 2 years at 1/2 time
Review concepts - 2 drafts
Host exhibit, provide insurance
Create marketing materials
Matching Funds
Museums in the Great
River Road network
McKnight Foundation
$20,000
$45,000
Museums in the Great
River Road network
Funding Allocation
Do the byways involved in the project cross any Federal lands? (Check all that apply)
0 Bureau of Indian Affairs
0 Bureau of land Management
0 National Park Service
0 USDA Forest Service
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Mus¡¡(!ms and
If this project is selected for funding, please indicate your preference for carrying out
the project (check one):
. FHWA allocates the funds for the project to the State DOT
0 FHWA allocates the funds for the project to one of the Federal land
management agencies marked above (provide contact information below)
Provide the contact information for the Federal land management agency if applicable:
Name
Agency/Group ¡Title
E-mail Address
Phone ¡Fax
Street Address
City ¡state ¡ZIP
Application Checklist
The following statements are for informative purposes. Please read and check each
statement.
. I understançlthat this is a reimbursement program - funds are not available up-
front.
. I havereviewed¡and responded to the Complete Application statements as
outlined in the Grants Guidance.
. I have been in touch with the State scenic byway coordinator and have
reSpOnded to recommendations or requirements of the State.
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Mus':¡ßms and
Attachments
Be sure to attach the documents indicated below when submitting your printed
application.
0
0
0
Describe each of your attachments and how theysi,Jpport the project pf9posal, illustrate
proposed activities, or document the site for af'iirrt¡;mjWement.
Design of interpretive centers identification signage å,tS8centers
Map showing location of major exhibitiritallation possibilities
Map showing location of smaller version ó[¡eJ\.hibit
Pictures of National Mississippi RiverW!lseumand Aquarium
SB-IA-2005-52492: The Mississippi: Rivers to the Sea exhibit by the Great River Road Network of Mus¡j!lms and
Sianatures
State Scenic Byways Agency
I certify that this application is complete and correct, and is eligible for National Scenic
Byways funding.
Please print name:
Title
Signature
Date
Matching Funds Certification
I certify that the State's match for this project is available
application.
time of
Please print name:
Jerry Enzler
Signature
Dubuqle County Historical Society