The oldest building on campus closed today for renovations.

Farm House Museum, a national historic landmark, will be closed until Aug. 22 so crews can repair damage caused by age and weather.

However, Mary Atherly, museum curator, said the renovation may take longer than expected.

“We hope to open when school starts in the fall, but that is not definite,” she said.

Necessary repairs include installation of a new roof, replacement of the stucco, rebuilding of the west porch and the addition of a handicapped accessible ramp.

Marilyn Vaughan, communications specialist for University Museums, said the improvements will make Farm House Museum “look very fresh.” However, she said careful attention also will be given to retain the original architecture of the 1860s house.

Vaughan said most of the funding for the $347,000 project came from private donations.

“More than 70 Farm House fans and people with personal ties to the museum have donated over $165,000,” she said.

A state preservation grant also was vital in funding the project, she said.

The museum will receive $72,000 from the state and may receive as much as $92,000 if there is money left over from other projects.

“We were very lucky to get it … of more than 80 applicants, we were the 11th out of 11 slots,” Vaughan said.

ISU President Martin Jischke also contributed, setting aside $50,000 of his budget last year for the Farm House renovations, Atherly said.

The College of Agriculture is donating $50,000 out of its discretionary funds.

“The Farm House Museum has a long history with the College of Agriculture,” Vaughan said.

The museum used to house Iowa State farm superintendents, college presidents and deans of agriculture before becoming a museum in 1976, according to the University Museums Web site.

The Farm House Museum is furnished to appear as it did at the turn of the century and is an important teaching tool for elementary and pre-school teachers and ISU professors, Vaughan said.

Once the project is completed, the museum will open its doors to the public for an open house.

“An open house, called Farm Day will be held Sunday, Sept. 19, where there will be a petting zoo and horse and wagon rides. This will reorient people to the Farm House and what it does,” Atherly said.