Current Article

IOWA TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM-ON THE MOVE

NEWS RELEASE September 2008 to Iowa daily newspapers.

2008 has been an exciting year as the Iowa Transportation Museum continues to move forward in becoming a reality in the city of Grinnell, IA. An idea that was conceived at a park in Ames in 1997 by a group of Iowa State University faculty led by Dr. Stan Ring has made several giant steps forward in the past few months.

• In addition to the Iowa Transportation Museum web site of www.iowatransportationmuseum.org a second web site of www.transportationheroes.org has been developed. The Transportation Heroes web site is the first exhibit of the museum. Transportation heroes can be nominated on line in one of three categories:

“Heroes by Example” – transportation workers who have accomplished their everyday job in an extraordinary way.

“Heroes of Industry and Technology” – those individuals who have made significant breakthroughs or contributions to transportation related industries or technologies.

“Heroes of Valor” – transportation workers who have placed their lives at risk-either willingly or unknowingly-while on the job. Citizens who have contributed selfless acts within the field of transportation.

A blue ribbon panel will soon announce the first group of inductees.

• In July of 2007 the ITM hired the internationally known firms of Design Craftsmen of Midland MI. and Vincent Ciulla Design of Sarasota, FL to prepare an exhibit design plan proposal for the Iowa Transportation Museum. On March 25, 2008 Vincent Ciulla and David Goodman presented their proposal to the ITM board of directors. The primary emphasis of their proposal focused on educating adults and children about our history, the role of transportation and contributions of Iowans.

A committee consisting of select board members was formed to determine what portion of the proposal could be included in Phase 1 of the museum construction project.

• In January, 2008, Charles R. “Chuck” Brooke, a lifelong resident of the Grinnell area, was named Executive Director of the ITM. Brooke succeeded John Swanson who had served successfully for 4 years including assisting in obtaining several grants and financial support to launch the Museum after Grinnell was selected as its site.

• In February the Iowa DOT awarded a $750,000 Transportation Enhancement Fund grant to the Museum project. The grant from Iowa DOT requires $250,000 matching funds and is for the Phase 1 project connecting the two eastern ITM buildings with an atrium and preparing the path for the programmatic space within.

• In February 2008, the City of Grinnell announced it was increasing its pledge from $25,000 per year for the ITM project to $100,000 a year for a period of 10 years. The funding will come from the City’s Hotel-Motel tax. This increase in commitment by the City demonstrates its faith in the project and what the museum will bring to the City.

• In April 2008, the Region 6 Planning Commission announced approval of $86,000 of regional transportation enhancement funds for the ITM project. This funding will be available in fiscal year 2009.

• Plans have been put in place for a local fund raising campaign to begin late fall of 2008 in the city of Grinnell. The goal is $2 Million. $1.0 Million has already been pledged by an anonymous donor. The fund raising committee is chaired by Executive Director Chuck Brooke. The committee is composed of members of the community who share a passion for the project and what it can bring to the Grinnell area.

• On August 1 Michael Audino and his associates at Charitable Giving Resource Center in West Des Moines, Iowa joined the ITM to launch the Museum’s state wide campaign. Michael has a background in national and Iowa transportation and is experienced in major fund raising campaigns.

• Also in August, Richard Bice of Marion, Iowa, currently an ITM board member, was elected as treasurer. Bice replaced Gordon Canfield of Grinnell who will remain as a member of the ITM board. Canfield currently serves as the mayor of the City of Grinnell.

For additional information concerning the Iowa Transportation Museum you may access our web site at www.iowatransportationmuseum.org or www.transportationheroes.org.
You may also call our office in Grinnell, Iowa at 641-236-9860.