The Veterans Memorial Building was designed with Beaux-Arts classical details and architecturally incorporates several exterior memorials to our nations fallen soldiers. Take a step inside to experience additional veteran tributes, including a large stained-glass art piece titled, “Memorial Window” designed by local famed artist Grant Wood. Also at lobby level are two galleries thoughtfully curated with select items from the museum collection. Don’t miss the room dedicated to local hero and master modeler Maj. Robert M. Horsky, showcasing over 180 of his model airplanes; assembled kits that span from WWII to the Vietnam era. On the basement level, is a hallway gallery that the museum manager updates every couple of years. 

The mission of the Veterans Memorial Commission Museum is:  To Honor and Preserve the history of Cedar Rapids Area Veterans. A quote that museum staff take to heart when designing exhibitions or caring for the museum collection is, “Our finest tribute to their valor will be the quality of our own lives.” Former Coe College President Dr. Joseph E McCabe made this statement at the Memorial Building in 1960. These poignant words are engraved in the granite base that supports a bronze replica of the United States Marine Corps Memorial at the front of the building. 

Inside the Spanish American War Memorial Gallery

This room was home to the Veterans Memorial Commission administrative office for 80 years. In the early days, the Grand Army of the Republic T. Z. Cook Post #235 comrades, and the United Spanish American War Veterans Dows Camp #4 members also conducted business here. Up to the year 2008, it held the entire museum collection on display. 

Current Museum Displays
George Hamman Memorial Gallery
For roughly 80 years this room was the City of Cedar Rapids Treasurers office. The room was converted and restored after the Flood of 2008, with updated climate-control system and UV filtered window shades.  The Hamman Memorial gallery is calendared to hold changing exhibits that rotate every few years. This gallery is currently closed in preparation for a World War II Cedar Rapids showcase to open June 6, 2024. 

If you are interested in donating an item please contact Museum Manager, Teri Van Dorston by phone or email. 

South Tower 4^th floor Chamber, lobby
Join us in celebrating the public return of the model airplanes that previously were on display at the Eastern Iowa Airport for almost 50 years. Everyone can enjoy these models in an exhibition titled, In Flight: The Horsky Collection of Model Airplanes.  The display will take an in-depth look at the life of master modeler and Major Robert M. Horsky; United States Air Force veteran who was born and raised in Cedar Rapids and carefully crafted each of the 185 models. These model aircraft remain a testament to the memory of Robert M. Horsky and his keen interest in scale-plastic modeling. While serving as a pilot in his third war, Horsky was shot down and perished over the skies of Vietnam in 1965. The models are considered rare by today’s standards.   The film being shown in the exhibit, In Flight: The Horsky Collection of Model Airplanes, was edited by Wired Production Group in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

If you are interested in donating an item please contact Assistant Director, Teri Van Dorston by phone or email.