We want to share a few updates regarding both our museum and our annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony with our many supporters, fellow race fans and Hall of Fame Inductees.
Almost everyone who has visited here thinks our vast collection is amazing and that we should be in a permanent location, but we have come to the conclusion that the timing of our dream does not coincide with today’s world. We have decided not to continue the pursuit of a larger location for the Iowa Hall of Fame and Racing Museum Inc. We have met with several interested local government officials, investment groups and individuals in the racing community to find a larger permanent home for the Iowa Hall of Fame and Racing Museum Inc. for the last five years. While there was great interest and excitement from several parties to have us in their communities, it always comes down to money. We have not been able to secure the required funding that a larger museum would require We would need to dedicate ourselves full-time to pursuing funding and development opportunities in order to make this a reality. We feel it is the right time to step off the roller coaster and simply enjoy our little museum as it is!
For over 16+ years, we have given the racing legends and heroes a place to feel at home. We will continue to give our visitors a more personal experience and to be where racing legends and heroes can share treasured memories, laughter and tears. This will be a place where they are always welcome to be a lifetime member of our racing family. We are a museum they can visit with their families and friends to be able to sit and tell stories, to touch the race cars, to take their time, to enjoy the garage atmosphere and watch restorations in progress.
With the decision to not pursue a new larger museum location, we have also decided to restructure our Board of Directors. We want to thank Chris Calvert, Dick Griffith, Bill Haglund, Burke Plain and Phil Roberts for serving on our board and sharing their knowledge and passion for racing with us. Marty Pringle, Teresa Huffman and Dylan Huffman will continue as board members and the Iowa Hall of Fame and Racing Museum Inc. will continue to be a non-profit 501(c)(3). All future donations and fundraising efforts will be used to continue our annual hall of fame induction ceremonies, to maintain our current collection of cars and memorabilia and to add new items to our museum.
Most importantly, our future plans include the continuation of the Iowa Hall of Fame and our annual induction ceremony. Our goal is to have one of the most respected and interesting Halls of Fame in the state of Iowa. The 2020 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, November 13th at the Briggs Woods Conference Center in Webster City. Ticket information will be announce very soon.
We are currently open to the public by appointment only. Please call Nancy Pringle at 515-570-9209 to schedule your visit! We thank all of those who have shared our passion for preserving Iowa’s racing history over the last several years and we hope to see many new and old faces visiting us this year!