Dubuque County Historical Society Receives Grant Support from State Historical Society of Iowa

The Dubuque County Historical Society (DCHS) was recently awarded a $50,000 Historic Resource Development Program (HRDP) grant from the State Historical Society of Iowa. Funding will support conducting a Report of Survey for the William M. Black dredge boat. This initiative will be conducted by a maritime technical expert with a long history of work with historic vessels, including experience conducting marine survey reports and condition assessments for several National Historic Landmark ships. The Report of Survey, often called a marine survey, will include a comprehensive assessment of the vessel's health and provide a roadmap for prioritizing the ongoing conservation, restoration, and preservation of this National Historic Landmark.

The DCHS commissioned a Report of Survey of The Black in 1994 which has been guiding preservation efforts including deck restoration, roof membrane, lead-paint abatement, and more. This renewed report will bring keen insight to current conditions.

The William M. Black is a steam-propelled, sidewheel dustpan dredge boat that now serves as a museum ship at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa. She is permanently moored in the Ice Harbor of the Mississippi River in the Port of Dubuque and tells many of the major stories of America's river history. The Black is one of 29 National Historic Landmarks in the state of Iowa and is one of only 360 large historic vessels in the country. She is one of four almost identical sisters that served for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 37 years. The Historic Resource Development Program (HRDP) grant from the State Historical Society of Iowa provides grant funding to help preserve, conserve, interpret, enhance, and educate the public about Iowa's historical assets. The State Historical Society of Iowa preserves and provides access to Iowa's historical resources through a variety of statewide programs, exhibitions, and projects while serving as an advocate for Iowa's past and connector to the future. The State Historical Society is part of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services.

"The William M. Black represents a rare and important class of vessel. As a steam-powered sidewheel dredge, it is among the final examples constructed before the transition to diesel propulsion and remains one of the few surviving vessels of its kind built for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," said Tony Guild, LCDR, USCG (Ret.), Maritime Technical Services, LLC. "The River Museum's stewardship of this vessel plays a vital role in preserving and interpreting our nation's inland maritime and industrial heritage."