The Farm House, also known as the Knapp–Wilson House, is the oldest building on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Now a museum open to the general public, this house was built 1861-65 as part of the model farm that eventually became Iowa State. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 for its association with agriculturist and teacher Seaman A. Knapp and with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, both of whom lived here while teaching at Iowa State.[2][3]
The Farm House is located near the center of the Iowa State campus, on the west side of Farmhouse Lane. It is a three-story structure, built primarily out of brick, and set on a stone foundation. The brick walls, fashioned out of locally sourced clay, were clad in limestone stucco in 1909 because they were crumbling. The interior is largely reflective of a major remodeling conducted about the same time. In 1972 the university undertook a major restoration of the building to restore it to its c. 1910 appearance.[3]
The land for what became Iowa State was donated by Story County farmers in 1858 and 1859, and the farm was developed over the following five years, slowed by the ongoing American Civil War. Iowa Agricultural College opened on the farm in 1869. In 1880 Seaman Knapp was appointed farm superintendent and professor of practical and experimental agriculture.[4] Knapp would later become influential in the promotion of modern rice-growing practices in the American South.[3] In 1891 James Wilson moved into the house, which he would occupy until 1897, when he was offered the post of United States Secretary of Agriculture, a post he would hold for thirteen years.[3] The house was occupied for much of the first half of the 20th century by Professor Charles F. Curtiss, under whose tenure the house's major alterations were made. In 1948 the house was converted into a dormitory for women, and its plant was updated again. In 1970 Dean Floyd Andre, whose family occupied it since 1950, moved out. Andre's lobbying to preserve the building from demolition succeeded, and it was opened as the Farm House Museum in 1976.[4]
^ ab. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2007.
^ abcdBlanche Higgins Schroer and Ray H. Mattison (May 1975) National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: The Farm House / The Knapp-Wilson House, National Park Service. Accompanying 8 photos, exterior and interior, from c. 1870, 1908, 1963, and 1975.
^ ab"Farm House Timeline". Iowa State University. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
External linksedit
Farm House Museum - Iowa State University
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Farm House (Knapp-Wilson House).
December 14, 2023
farm, house, knapp, wilson, house, farm, house, also, known, knapp, wilson, house, oldest, building, campus, iowa, state, university, ames, iowa, museum, open, general, public, this, house, built, 1861, part, model, farm, that, eventually, became, iowa, state,. The Farm House also known as the Knapp Wilson House is the oldest building on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames Iowa Now a museum open to the general public this house was built 1861 65 as part of the model farm that eventually became Iowa State It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 for its association with agriculturist and teacher Seaman A Knapp and with U S Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson both of whom lived here while teaching at Iowa State 2 3 The Farm House Knapp Wilson House U S National Register of Historic PlacesU S National Historic LandmarkThe Farm House in the early twentieth centuryShow map of IowaShow map of the United StatesLocation601 Farm House Lane Ames IowaCoordinates42 1 38 N 93 38 38 W 42 02722 N 93 64389 W 42 02722 93 64389Area1 acre 0 40 ha Built1861ArchitectMilens BurtNRHP reference No 66000339Significant datesAdded to NRHPOctober 15 1966 1 Designated NHLJuly 19 1964 2 Contents 1 Description and history 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksDescription and history editThe Farm House is located near the center of the Iowa State campus on the west side of Farmhouse Lane It is a three story structure built primarily out of brick and set on a stone foundation The brick walls fashioned out of locally sourced clay were clad in limestone stucco in 1909 because they were crumbling The interior is largely reflective of a major remodeling conducted about the same time In 1972 the university undertook a major restoration of the building to restore it to its c 1910 appearance 3 The land for what became Iowa State was donated by Story County farmers in 1858 and 1859 and the farm was developed over the following five years slowed by the ongoing American Civil War Iowa Agricultural College opened on the farm in 1869 In 1880 Seaman Knapp was appointed farm superintendent and professor of practical and experimental agriculture 4 Knapp would later become influential in the promotion of modern rice growing practices in the American South 3 In 1891 James Wilson moved into the house which he would occupy until 1897 when he was offered the post of United States Secretary of Agriculture a post he would hold for thirteen years 3 The house was occupied for much of the first half of the 20th century by Professor Charles F Curtiss under whose tenure the house s major alterations were made In 1948 the house was converted into a dormitory for women and its plant was updated again In 1970 Dean Floyd Andre whose family occupied it since 1950 moved out Andre s lobbying to preserve the building from demolition succeeded and it was opened as the Farm House Museum in 1976 4 nbsp Farm House MuseumSee also editList of National Historic Landmarks in Iowa National Register of Historic Places listings in Story County IowaReferences edit National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service January 23 2007 a b The Farm House Knapp Wilson House National Historic Landmark summary listing National Park Service Archived from the original on June 6 2011 Retrieved October 8 2007 a b c d Blanche Higgins Schroer and Ray H Mattison May 1975 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination The Farm House The Knapp Wilson House National Park Service Accompanying 8 photos exterior and interior from c 1870 1908 1963 and 1975 a b Farm House Timeline Iowa State University Retrieved December 17 2015 External links editFarm House Museum Iowa State University nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Farm House Knapp Wilson House Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Farm House Knapp Wilson House amp oldid 1173025340, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
