Iowa Museum Week June 8-14

Governor Terry Branstad has proclaimed June 8-14, 2015 as Iowa Museum Week.  In making the proclamation, the Governor said “Iowa's museums play a crucial role in preserving the historical fabric, natural resources, and memory of our state through the careful stewardship of art, artifacts, archives, the built environment, flora and fauna, and historic sites.  Museums provide educational resources and programs which provide learning opportunities for all ages. Iowa's museums contribute to a vibrant community and state economy through job creation, industry attraction, and worker retention; the purchase of goods and services; and as leading visitor destinations attracting tourism revenue to their community and the state.”  Governor Branstad encouraged the citizens of the state of Iowa to celebrate Iowa Museum Week by visiting and supporting the Iowa museum of their choice.

Cynthia Sweet, Executive Director of the Iowa Museum Association, said, “We appreciate the Governor’s proclamation.  Iowa Museum Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about the role of museums in Iowa’s communities, not just as stewards of the state’s resources and memory, but as educators and non-profit businesses.”

Sweet went on to say, “Museums are vital to a healthy local and state economy.  Not only are they employers and consumers of goods and services, in addition The National Governors Association has reported that businesses that relocate factor in access to cultural resources and museums.  Communities wishing to attract new business and industry invest in and support their cultural infrastructure.”

We salute the Odebolt Historical Museum and the Iowa Rural Schools Museum of Odebolt, both located at Heritage Square Park in Odebolt on Second Street.

Read the entire Press Release.