Farm House Museum, the first structure built on a land-grant institution, will be getting repairs starting this spring.

“We would like to begin the repairs this spring, but right now it depends on if we can finish raising the money needed. Right now we are at the halfway mark,” said John Pace, coordinator of the Farm House conservation drive and a Friends of the University Museums board member.

Money raised will go toward a new roof, replacing peeling stucco, fixing the west and south porches and foundation work on the south side.

“Right now the stucco is peeling away from the bricks and soon this will cause damage to the bricks as well,” said Marilyn Vaughn, communications specialist for University Museums.

Pace said $175,000 of the $350,000 needed to make the repairs has been raised.

Pace said he thinks the second half will be difficult to raise, but he is optimistic that it can be done.

Pace said many people have already been extremely generous in donating money.

President Martin Jischke and dean David Topel each donated $50,000 of university funds to the cause.

Contributions have also come from more than 70 ISU alumni, former faculty and museum supporters.

The top three private donors include Ames residents Ferne Felton, John and Dorothy McNee and W. Richard and Jaqueline Andre Schmeal, of Houston, Texas, who lived in the house when her father, Floyd Andre, was appointed ISU dean of agriculture.

“It is very important that the repairs be made to the Farm House Museum.

“It is one of the 23 national landmark historical sites in Iowa and one of the 2,000 in the United States,” Pace said.

Farm House became a National Historic Landmark in 1965 and a museum in 1976.

“Just as the ISU community came together to build this house, they have united again to ensure that the Farm House Museum continues to connect us with our pioneer past and campus history,” Director of University Museums Lynette Pohlman said in a press release.

Contributions for the restoration of Farm House Museum can be sent to the Iowa State Foundation with a notation that the money is for the Farm House Conservation Project.