Almost three years to the day after the flood damaged the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, it finally began moving to its new foundation. I've checked in at the museum and Czech Village periodically over the past few months, then made my first attempt at a time-lapse video (ever) on the first day of the move. A week later the building was pivoted, and my second time-lapse was incorporated in that evening's story for KCRG. The building still needs to be lifted onto its new foundation, about 500 feet away from its original location and above the 2008 flood level. The guys at Patterson Moving have been great about getting us onto the site for photos inside the building as it moves, which is really just unreal. Below, early morning baking at Sykora back in April, when the museum was originally supposed to start moving. Pastries and structural moving in one story, what more could you ask for?
Beth Westlake of Iowa City, former Miss Czech Slovak Iowa (from left), Zoe Wolter, 17, of Cedar Rapids and Czech Prince Eijah Wolter, 14, of Cedar Rapids wait for the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library to start moving.
National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library CEO and President Gail Naughton cheers after breaking a bottle of champagne on the side of the museum before moving begins
The old floor of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library is left exposed two hours after the building began moving to its new location.
Lance Matyiko of Expert House Movers of Virginia Beach, Virginia, takes measurements while the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library is moved on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, in Cedar Rapids. Because of the museum's proximity to a curve in the river's edge, the building was moved at an angle.
The path of the pivot can be seen in the mud as steel plates are moved from the back to the front of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library on Saturday, June 18, 2011, in Cedar Rapids.
A worker waits to hook up a chain while pivoting National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.
Workers move a tarp to make way for the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.
