National Historic Landmark

Knapp-Wilson House

Ames, Story County, Iowa
Listed
October 14, 1966
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
66000339

About this property

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 originally built in 1860 as part of the model farm aspect of Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965 for its association with agriculturist Seaman A. Knapp and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, both of whom lived here while teaching at Iowa State.

Location

Ames, Story County, Iowa
42.02998, -93.64244

Categories

EDUCATIONAGRICULTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
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Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
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Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
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Nearby Historic Sites

Christian Petersen Courtyard Sculptures, and Dairy Industry Building
Industrial
0.2 mi
Agriculture Hall
Industrial
0.2 mi
Morrill Hall
Industrial
0.3 mi
Alumni Hall
Industrial
0.5 mi
Marston Water Tower
Industrial
0.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Knapp-Wilson House listed on the National Register?

Knapp-Wilson House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1966.

What type of historic resource is Knapp-Wilson House?

Knapp-Wilson House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Knapp-Wilson House a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Knapp-Wilson House has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Knapp-Wilson House?

The period of significance for Knapp-Wilson House is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Knapp-Wilson House?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Knapp-Wilson House will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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