Farm House Museum
From Rofflehaus
Farm House Museum or The Farm House or Knapp-Wilson House was built from 1860 to 1865. The house today has eighteen rooms (see below for floor plans):
- 4 rooms in the basement
- 6 rooms on the first floor with three porches (two screened-in)
- 6 rooms on the second floor
- 2 rooms on the third floor
Contents |
[edit] Construction
In 1860, two years after the Iowa General Assembly enacted legislation to establish the State Agricultural College and Model Farm. After Story county was chosen to be home of the college, the first building was erected during daylight and became what is now known as the Farm House.
After its construction it was used to hold the first Board of Trustees met. The Board also planned the first building, curriculum, and faculty in this house.
In 1886, an addition was added to allow accomodations for two families (probably the north part?). Ten years later in 1896, a furnace was added and the house connected to a sewer. More extensive repairs were done in 1910 with a garage added in 1926.
After it was declared a historical landmark in 1965 (or 1966, whichever it was) further renovations and restorations were performed to give it the feel of 1910.
As of November 18, 1997, the ISU Foundation had fundraised $175,000 [1] of the $320,000 needed to renovate the exterior. Exterior damage includes peeling stucco, an old roof, crumbling bricks, south-side foundation issues, and other issues with the south & west porches and basement.
[edit] Residents
Since it's construction and through 1970, the Farm House has been home of many residents. It was home to Adonijah Welch and Seaman Knapp — the first two presidents. Afterwards, several of the Deans of Agriculture made it their home.
Other residents:
- Etta Budd, George Washington Carver's art instructor
- Elizabeth Hoyt, economist whose work was the basis for the consumer price index
The last occupant was Floyd Andre, Dean of Agriculture, in 1955
[edit] National landmark
The Farm House was listed with the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966 despite the plaque showing 1965. It is officially listed as the "Knapp-Wilson House".
The Farm House Museum was opening on July 4, 1976.
[edit] Arbor
The arbor was originally designed by Helen Curtiss c. 1925. It was reconstructed in 2002 and the class of 2002 funded the new arbor gate, well, and herb garden. It is constructed of Osage Orange and Eastern Red Cedar wood.
[edit] Exterior gallery
Sign explaining the FHM |
Map |
FHM and sign |
FHM front door and path |
West porch |
North-east porch |
Arbor plaque |
Well and plaque |
Arbor gate from inside |
Arbor gate from outside |
Herb garden |
Arbor from the south |
East side |
NRHP plaque and front door |
[edit] External links
[edit] Floor plans
[edit] News articles
- The article, Learn more about Farm House Museum, in the 06/20, 1995 edition of the Iowa State Daily is still unavailable due to a change in the Daily's website and general laziness of Rofflehaus contributors. If you'd like to help fix a broken link like this, check out Template talk:ISUD to find out how. Thank you for your patience. (D: 06/20/1995)
