What Gifts Have Done in the Past

The UI Pentacrest Museums are here for a common purpose: to educate and inspire, to enlighten and engage . . . to change the lives of those who visit. And thanks to generous private support, the Museum of Natural History and Old Capitol Museum can bring the past to life. Here are just a few examples of how gifts have helped the Pentacrest Museums remain vital cultural and educational resources:

• Longtime Iowa Citians William T. Hageboeck, who graduated from the UI with a B.A. degree in journalism in 1928, and his wife, Eleanor G. Hageboeck, a 1929 graduate of the UI School of Art and Art History, gave generously to name the William and Eleanor Hageboeck Hall of Birds. Their leadership gift to the UI Foundation's Campaign for Bird Hall sparked the successful redesign of the hall and inspired many others to lend their support for the campaign. William Hageboeck died in 2002.
• Through a generous gift-in-kind donation of $73,200, Iowa City's West Music Company helped bring live music back to the University of Iowa Old Capitol Museum with an 1878 Steinway and Sons grand piano. The 1,500-pound antique piano was the latest piece added to the collections at Old Capitol Museum and is located in the museum's recently renovated Senate Chamber. In addition to his company's gift-in-kind donation, Stephen L. West, president of West Music Company, also committed $2,000 toward funding the inaugural season of a piano concert series in the Senate Chamber.
• Professor Margaret N. Keyes of Iowa City, former Old Capitol director, made a planned estate gift to Old Capitol to provide ongoing endowed support of the building and museum, including programming, restoration, staff salaries, and acquisition of historically relevant artifacts.
• When Le Roy A. Dunsmore died in 1995, he left a meaningful legacy: a gift of more than $100,000 to support the Museum of Natural History. Le Roy, who worked for The Daily Iowan and as a UI instructor, received a B.B.A. degree in 1970 and an M.A. degree in 1972 from the University. He used retirement assets from his TIAA/CREF account to leave his mark on the museum.

These are just a few examples of the ways in which generous private support can enhance the UI's Pentacrest Museums. Join the ongoing efforts in support of the museums by making your gift online today!