History Center moves to historic mansion on Second Avenue

Since the Floods of 2008, the Douglas mansion on Second Avenue has stood quiet.

Until now.

After 15 years in its former First Avenue location, the History Center in Cedar Rapids will relocate to the iconic 1800s mansion on Second Avenue.

'There was a lot of people that didn't really know — even though we had a beautiful sign — they didn't know we were there or what we did,' Jason Wright, executive director of the History Center, said of their former location. 'It just didn't seem to have the draw.'

When the mansion became available for purchase, Wright said it made 'perfect sense' to move.

'This is an artifact, one of the greatest remaining grand old buildings in this region,' he said. 'For us to be great stewards of the history here, this historic structure seemed ideal for us to take on.'

The Center's board president, Adam Ebert, said they realized the community had changed a lot over the years — a 'cultural shift,' as he phrased it. They wanted to shift with it, hoping to serve their community better, maximize their mission to preserve the history of Cedar Rapids and 'fit in' with the thriving community.

Though the mansion may not be as large as the old building — leaving no room for their extensive collection, which will be kept at another location on Oakland Road — it does have the character they were looking for.

'It's going to have a much greater draw because this building tells so many stories itself,' Wright said.

The 118-year-old building, adorned with Grant Wood's handiwork, operated not only as a home for some of the most influential families in Cedar Rapids — including the Douglases, Sinclairs and Turners — but also as a funeral home for many years.

Wright believes the MedQuarter location — which sees thousands of patients each day — near the fire station, Grant Wood Studio, Museum of Art and library puts them in a 'great position' to collaborate in the 'vibrant region.'

'When we collaborate with other entities, it uplifts all of us,' he said. 'If there's one thing this town does well, it's work together. Now that we've got our feet back underneath us (after the flood), every group is looking to find ways that we can work together ... and cross pollinate our audiences.'

'It's a setting where people may want to just come spend part of their day,' Ebert agreed.

The History Center plans to open their doors in early 2018, after renovations.

'We want to open this place up when it's absolutely gorgeous, back to its 1920s glory,' Wright said. 'It's like playing Sim City with the worlds best, most gorgeous house.'

The home was 'built with some of the greatest craftsman in the region,' and was 'so well maintained,' that not many repairs are needed, he added. But 'it still has plumbing from a century ago' and 'the technology of electricity has changed considerably.'

They've already done some damage control, replacing the leaking roof and taking down part of a deteriorated perimeter wall, but won't be taking on other projects — like upgrading the electrical wiring, plumbing, accessibility and other interior renovations — until funding becomes available.

'We're not going to tear out any carpeting or do any refurbishing until we have every penny that we need,' Wright said.

First, though, they need to find out exactly how much money they'll need by taking an exhibit designer, architect, preservation specialist and a general contractor through the mansion, Ebert said.

As for where that money comes from? Wright said he wishes there was 'a magic fountain of cash somewhere,' but that's clearly not the case.

Instead, they'll look for funding from local corporations, state historic preservation grants and community fundraising.

'(The History Center) is where the community goes when it wants to give itself historical relevance,' Wright said. 'We have thousands of people we touch every year from this community that absolutely love history and I would hope they would invest some of their hard earned money to make sure that this place is solid and stable in a dynamic, magnetic part of the cultural fabric of this community.'

And when they cut the ribbon two years from now, he said, 'they're going to know they made an impact on this community like none other.'