This Queen Anne style house constructed of local red brick is the oldest building on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa. It was built in 1890 to serve as the home of college president Homer Seerley and his family. Seerley became president of what was then the Iowa State Normal School in 1886 and oversaw a large period of growth including a name change in 1909 to the Iowa State Teachers College. During his over 40 years as college president, he spearheaded changes to the college’s educational programs and his expertise in the areas of education and teacher training were sought after both at the state and national levels. Seerley worked with Henry Sabin, the Iowa State Superintendent of Public Instruction, to create a normal school training program that was made available through high schools in most county seat towns. This allowed students who aspired to become teachers to begin their training close to their home. And it allowed trained teachers to be placed in more than 11,000 one-room schools across Iowa. This enhanced learning opportunities for hundreds of thousands of rural students and made Iowa a leader in learning. Variations of this regional approach to training teachers were adopted by other states.
The construction of the home was directed by local architect J.E. Robinson who went on to become the Superintendent of the Building Program in 1895 and is responsible for many of the historic buildings remaining on campus today.
After a new president’s home was built in 1909, the former home was used as a campus hospital and then a nursery to focus on child study and parent education. It became a retirement home for former president Seerley and his wife from 1928-1934 and then a residence for two more university administrators and their families until 1969. In 1971, the cottage was converted into the first home of the Ethnic Minorities Cultural and Educational Center. Today, it houses the university’s honors program.
Despite the replacement of the turned spindle work porches and the removal of the front balcony, several original features of the exterior remain including the decorative, stepped brick cornice and original limestone foundation. Many architectural features remain on the interior as well including the decorative casings with bullseye rosettes and plinth of the windows and doors. The foyer opens up to the original dog-legged staircase with side paneling. A set of pocket doors separates the foyer and parlor and a fireplace remains in the back parlor. In addition, most of the doors are the original four panel doors, though the original front door has been replaced.
The University of Northern Iowa has requested permission from the Board of Regents to raze the home because of projected deferred maintenance costs and its lack of ADA compliant accessibility. The Board of Regents will be voting in their February 23rd meeting on whether or not to demolish the home.
