Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 16/3/7/1
Iowa 4-H Foundation
Subject Files, 1957-[ongoing]


Descriptive summary

creator:

Iowa 4-H Foundation

title:

Subject Files

dates:

1957-[ongoing]

extent:

0.42 linear foot (1 document box)

collection number:

RS 16/3/7/1

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Iowa 4-H Foundation Subject Files, RS 16/3/7/1, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Historical note

The Iowa 4-H Foundation was formed in 1949 for the purpose of raising and disbursing funds for the benefit of Iowa 4-H youths with the initial goal of raising funds to create a state 4-H camp. The first tract of land for the camp was purchased in 1950 along the Des Moines River near Madrid in central Iowa and in 1951 the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation provided a no-interest loan to purchase an additional 557 acres of land. The total land amassed for the project at this point exceeded 1200 acres. The Iowa 4-H Camping Center (later called the Iowa 4-H Center) opened in 1952.

Improvements to the Iowa 4-H Center continued throughout the following decades. A swimming pool (1953) and bath house (1992) were constructed at the Center, and by 1967 the Foundation had completed construction of five separate camp villages: Birch, Elm, Hickory, Maple, and Oak. Linden Lodge, the camp administration building, was built in 1963 and a new central kitchen and dining hall was completed in 1998.

The Foundation also supports Iowa 4-H members through financial assistance. The first Iowa 4-H scholarships were established in 1985. The following year a financial aid program was created to help youth pay registration fees for 4-H events and programs. The Iowa 4-H Foundation pays registration fees for Iowa delegates to the National 4-H Congress and also provided special financial assistance to 4-H families directly affected by the flood of 1993.

Constructed in 2003, the Extension 4-H Building on the campus of Iowa State University is the culmination of years of collaboration between Iowa State University Extension and Iowa 4-H. The building houses ISU Extension personnel and Iowa 4-H Foundation staff and is a testament to the close cooperation between these two organizations.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a non-profit organization overseen by a volunteer governing board of 35 trustees. Foundation staff includes an Executive Director and four supporting staff members. The Iowa 4-H Foundation website can be found at: http://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/.

 

Collection description

The collection (1957-[ongoing]) contains anniversary materials, histories of the Iowa 4-H Foundation and Iowa 4-H Center, photographs, and printed materials. Of interest is an oral history interview with former Iowa State University President W. Robert Parks regarding his experiences in 4-H. The collection also contains a scrapbook used for raising funds to expand the Iowa 4-H Center that depicts camp buildings and 4-H members at camp.

 

Organization

The collection is listed alphabetically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

25th Anniversary of Iowa 4-H Foundation and Iowa 4-H Camping Center: invitation and program

1975

1

2

40th Birthday Party: program and photographs (4- 5x7" b/w photographs, 9 b/w contact sheets)

1989

1

3

50th Anniversary Celebration: program

1999

1

4

60th Anniversary Gala: postcard and program

2010

1

5

Fundraising: information regarding collector's plate with image of "County Agent" by Norman Rockwell

1988-1989

1

6

Fundraising: printed materials

1969, undated

1

7

Giving and recognition programs: general information

undated

1

8

Grant application process and guidelines

1992

1

9

History of Iowa 4-H Center: "Milestones in Progress: Camp Site Development"

1977 circa

1

10

Holiday card

undated

1

11

International 4-H Youth Exchange: photographs and slides (31- 3.5x5" b/w, 27- 3.5x5" color, 1- 6x8" b/w, and 1- 5x7" color photographs; 16 color slides)

1957-1980s

1

12

Interview with ISU President W. Robert Parks about his experiences in 4-H (1 audiotape)

undated

1

13

Iowa Farm Youth School, Class of 1942: 50th reunion materials (8- 5x7" b/w, 4- 8x10" b/w photographs)

1992

1

14

Iowa State Fair: invitations

2008-2011

1

15

National 4-H Council Mentors Group: correspondence

1994-1995

1 19 Postcard: Annual Gala 2011

1

16

Radio Talk by Paul Taff, "The Story of the Iowa 4-H Camping Center"

1965

1

17

Role of Iowa 4-H Foundation and Trustees

undated

1

18

Scrapbook: "The Iowa 4-H Club Center" (22- 8x10" b/w photographs)

1958 circa