Vision Iowa - Featured Project - The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, Waterloo

Project Information

Recipients: City of Waterloo, H.W. Grout Trust & City of Cedar Falls
Project Name: Cedar Valley River Renaissance
Date of Award: 3/6/2003
Total Project Cost: $34,691,250
Amount Awarded: $9,500,000

Improvements to The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum project received $1,500,000 of Vision Iowa funding as a part of a large, comprehensive Vision Iowa Project in Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Officially, the facility opened its doors to the public in November 2008 and was a shining star of 2009. Included are just a few of the comments collected over the year.

"My wife and I visited your Museum on Oct 20 - was very impressed. It shows a lot of time, research, money and appreciation of the Veterans. Good for you."
Dick Snyder
Korean War Vet
Cambridge, Iowa

"Enjoyed visiting with you at the Veterans’ Displays at the Grout Museum District yesterday. You have one of the finest military exhibit areas, covering the major wars, that I’ve experienced, and will return again to visit in more detail."
Denny Eilers
Vietnam Vet
Luana, Iowa

"The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum has been a wonderful addition to Waterloo! Nowhere else can you find the stories of our military and the home front told so well. Those stories come from our parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, neighbors, and friends. The stories give us a much more tangible understanding of how each individual, and how Iowa as a state, contributed to the United States military. The stories are also what keep people coming back for future visits. We are very pleased to have the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum as a partner of ours here in Waterloo.”
Aaron Buzza
Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau Director
Waterloo, Iowa

"I was so impressed with the Veterans Museum. The interactive boards were so interesting to the students. After they put the dog-tag in they were able to become a person of the time. My students loved the tank, tents and airplane they were able to connect to what they see on TV and newspaper. Seeing the Sullivan Brothers statue and sharing the information with my students sparked an interest where they want to learn more."
Mrs. Metz
3rd grade teacher at Cunningham Elementary
Waterloo Schools

"Visitor reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. It is most gratifying to watch people interact with the exhibits and hear their comments about their experience at the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum. This project would not have been possible without Vision Iowa support, and based on these comments, it is appreciated by all who visit."
Billie Bailey
Executive Director
Grout Museum District