The dubuque county historical society will launch a stakeholder-engaged interpretive planning initiative that will produce a master plan aligned to the recently expanded museum campus

The Dubuque County Historical Society, doing business as the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, has been awarded a $297,912 project grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) program. The grant will fund a stakeholder-engaged interpretive planning initiative to produce a new master interpretive plan for the museum's expanded 14-acre campus and 2-acre heritage site. The plan will include recommendations to integrate the goals of the museum's historic and living collections, inform evaluation practices to better serve the community, and create a more cohesive interpretive experience across the campus. The project will run from Sep 1, 2023 through Aug 31, 2025 and involve collaborative activities with museum staff, board, volunteers, visitors, and community stakeholders, as well as an interpretive planning firm.

Through collaborative activities between staff, board of directors, volunteers, visitors, community members, stakeholders, and an interpretive planning firm, the museum will produce a new master interpretive plan including recommendations for interpretive practices and comprehensive signage. As a result, the museum will gain an increased understanding of visitor knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes, reflect community need and connectivity, inform evaluation practices to best serve the community, creatively integrate the goals of both historic and living collections in exhibits and programs, and create a more cohesive storyline to better join its 14-acre campus and 2-acre heritage site.