An Iowa native who works to preserve the state’s past has been recognized with the 2003 Christian Petersen Design Award.

Roberta Green Ahmanson is the recipient of the award, which is presented by Iowa State’s College of Design.

Ahmanson is a Perry, Iowa native, and she has renovated Hotel Pattee in Perry with the help of her husband, Howard. According to a news release from the College of Design Web site, the purpose of the hotel is to tell the stories of the lives of immigrants who built the Midwest.

The release also stated the Ahmansons are working on another project called Hometown Perry, Iowa. It is a museum that collects and displays artifacts, documents, photographs and other materials pertaining to Perry’s history and small- town life.

Mark Engelbrecht, dean of the College of Design, said Ahmanson is being honored for her patronage of the arts of Iowa.

“Roberta has been a friend of us at the College of Design for four years, since she started her work with Hotel Pattee and the museum,” Engelbrecht said. “She is a very positive supporter and it was only natural to honor her with the award.”

Engelbrecht called Ahmanson “a remarkable person and a great benefactor to the city of Perry as well as the College of Design and Iowa State.”

“We are happy to have her as a friend and pleased to give her the award,” Engelbrecht said.

The first Christian Peterson award was given to then ISU President W. Robert Parks, and is given annually. Engelbrecht said the award is meant to recognize people who have outstanding achievements in art and design or who have been good supporters of the field.

Heather Sauer, communication specialist for the College of Design, said Ahmanson has been a contributor to the school in many ways. “She is a very strong supporter of the arts and the communities in Iowa, especially in Perry,” Sauer said. “She has developed a strong relationship with the college over the last few years and she deserves some recognition for the work she has done.

“She finds art and design to be very important and she uses her resources to give back to the community.”

Ahmanson is currently residing in Orange County, Calif., and frequently goes abroad. She could not be reached for comment.

Engelbrecht said the award is named for the noted artist who was Iowa State’s sculptor-in-residence from 1934 to 1955. The winner of the Christian Petersen award is given a bust that is a casting of Petersen done by one of his students.

Petersen is known for many pieces of work on campus, including the Fountain of the Four Seasons at the Memorial Union, The Gentle Doctor at the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Ring of Life at MacKay Hall.

“Any sculptures that students see on campus are likely one of Petersen’s,” Engelbrecht said.

He said Petersen’s work went far beyond what is seen on campus.

“He had left a terrific legacy in both his sculpting and his teaching. He is a patron saint of the College of Design due to the inspirational teaching that he provided,” Engelbrecht said.