The Historic Garst Farm House, owned by Whiterock Conservancy, is a visible reminder of the agricultural innovations Roswell Garst introduced, which changed the course of farming in Iowa and the world. In 1959, during the height of the Cold War, Garst hosted Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev at the Garst family farm. The visit not only helped open conversations about worldwide agricultural practices but also eased some of the tension of the Cold War. Under the guidance of RDG Planning & Design, the home was carefully restored to its 1959 condition.
Garst Farmhouse (Coon Rapids)
2019 Preservation at its Best Award Winner: Rural Preservation
Garst Farmhouse at Whiterock Conservancy, Preservation Iowa’s 2019 “Preservation at its Best”
Preservation Iowa's two most visible programs are Iowa’s Most Endangered and Preservation at Its Best. These two programs work well together because being listed as Most Endangered often leads to awareness, a preservation effort, and a high-quality, award-winning project.
