It's been over five years in the making, but now, it's a reality. The Sioux City Public Museum is a diverse collection of everything Siouxland. And the excitement is shared between folks of all ages.
Lillian Cote, a 7-year old from Sioux City said, "I think it's really cool because it has a lot of stuff that you can look at." "If you haven't been to this museum yet, you are missing one of the greatest things Sioux City has done in a long, long time," said Dan Jarman, of Sioux City.
Jarman's favorite attraction: the movie playing, smoke billowing disaster wall that recalls Sioux City's greatest disasters. He would know, he lived through them.
And it's not only Sioux City natives that appreciate the spectacle. Also in attendance, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Iowa Governor, Tom Vilsack. And the importance of such a museum isn't lost on him.
"This museum basically celebrates entrepreneurship and innovation at a time when America needs to get back to making and creating things. So hopefully it will inspire young people to be the next Ted Waitt or the next Irving Jensen," said Vilsack.
Speaking of them, both Waitt and Jensen played a large role in getting this project off the ground, donating a lot of money and even more heart to the entire process.
Jensen said, "I very much enjoy this community and the people that built this community, and I'd like to see it preserved for the people that come after us."
So thanks to generous donations and community support, the Sioux City Public Museum is open for business. So bring your friends, bring your family and take a trip down memory lane.
