River News Now Breaking News Travel

Moline, Illinois - The John Deere Foundation has given a grant of $500,000 to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa, in support of phase two of America’s River at the Port of Dubuque development project. John Deere Foundation gave the Museum a two-year grant totaling $500,000 in 2000.

“John Deere is pleased to play a role in the exciting, ongoing growth of this impressive Museum and Aquarium,” says John May, Factory Manager, John Deere Dubuque Works. “Its presence has made a positive impact on our community, and it is a facility the citizens of Dubuque can be proud to share with the world.”

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium opened in 2003, as part of a multi-million dollar project that includes a variety of educational and tourism components in a central complex. America’s River Phase II includes a $70 million complex expansion that will double the size of the five-acre river campus by 2010.

“This leadership gift from John Deere is an outstanding commitment to the Museum and the community,” said Jerry Enzler, Executive Director of the Museum & Aquarium. “It is a major boost to the project and will have lasting benefit for Dubuque and the Mississippi River.”

The museum has earned an international reputation for environmental education about rivers in the United States. Its efforts are directed toward preserving the Mississippi River and its cultural and environmental history. The museum has received national recognition for its exhibits and programming, including designation as a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate. It was recently named among the top 10 U.S. aquariums by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community.

The John Deere Foundation is the philanthropic organization established by Deere & Company in 1948 to help improve communities and society through charitable grants for education, human services, community development, arts and culture, and world hunger.