The following year , the AAMI was devastated by the Iowa flood of 2008 . The first floor of the Museum , home to the education and collection staff as well as the gift shop , rental hall , and both exhibits , was filled with 5.5 feet of standing water . This catastrophic natural disaster caused significant damage to the building and at least half of the Museum 's artifacts , necessitating $ 1.3 million in repairs
Iowa flood of 2008
Iowa flood of 2008
African American Museum of Iowa