PO Box 557

91 Lake Stret

Arnolds Park, IA 51331

712-332-6540

www.iowarocknroll.com

The IRRMA Museum opened on Memorial Weekend in 2003. It has welcomed visitors from all 50 states and 19 foreign countries. An average of 5,000 visitors each year enjoy strolling through exhibits of Iowa music folklore and the national music scene.

The IRRMA Hall of Fame Wall of Fame displays the plaques of all inductees from its beginning in 1997 through the present time. New plaques are added after each year’s Induction Spectacular on Labor Day Weekend.

Posters, photos, records, costumes, musical instruments and amp systems, a recording studio, a radio deejay booth, ballroom equipment as well as music playing devices share exhibit space with unusual pieces of memorabilia, 85 percent donated by musicians and music lovers alike. The remaining 15 percent are on loan with a new special exhibit appearing at least, but not limited to, four times per year.

The museum has created the 4 R’s Program, (readin’, writin’, rithmatic’ and rocknroll) that is presented at schools throughout the state of Iowa. Students in grades 4-12 learn about music history, the art of performance and preservation of music. There is no cost to the schools for using this fine program created under the “No Child Left Behind” requirements designed by retired educators and administrators. School bus tours of the museum are also offered and encouraged.

Partnering with the Gretsch Guitar Foundation, the museum hosts the “Art Guitars In Schools” competition each year. IRRMA has divided the state into six regions. One high school in each region gets a Gretsch guitar for its art department to turn into a work of art. One guitar is also sent to a school in a bordering state, as the museum is located near Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota. The seven guitars are displayed in the museum from Memorial Day until Labor Day. All museum visitors have the opportunity to vote for their favorite to win the “Peoples Choice Award.” A group of artists judge the entries on technical merit for the “Grand Prize.” Each winning school receives a gift certificate to purchase art supplies for that winning art department. The Gretsch Foundation features these guitars on their international website, giving Iowa students exposure around the world. The guitars are auctioned off during the Induction Spectacular and the proceeds benefit the museum.

The museum presents 10 free Rock the Roof concerts in the Roof Garden at Arnolds Park each summer with an average weekly Thursday night attendance of 800-1100 people. This brings the music to the masses with people driving as far as 100 to 150 miles each week to enjoy the concerts.

The mission statement reads: To retain the legacy of RockNRoll and preserve the history of music within the state of Iowa. With programs for young and old, exhibits honoring all aspects of Iowa’s music industry and projects to involve the younger generation, IRRMA feels it is fulfilling its mission pledge and will continually strive to do so.