Legacy Ames:       Save the Past for the Future! The Ames Historical Society announces  the kick-off of Legacy Ames, the capital campaign for a permanent Ames History Center & Museum! The long dreamed-of permanent home for local history is within reach! Ames Historical Society members as well as current and former Ames citizens are invited to join the capital campaign and make the dream a reality! Legacy Ames Donation/Pledge form To learn more about how you can help, call Rollie Struss (515-232-0865).

An active fundraising committee headed by Ames residents, Rollie and Willie Struss, has been working diligently since early 2008 to increase the Building Fund and set the stage for a successful campaign.   We are pleased to announce that the Building Fund now stands at $347,000!

Our goal for the current phase is $558,000 to purchase the building at 416 Douglas where we currently rent Suite 101 (about ½ the first floor) and an additional $100,000 for remodeling and furnishing.

The office building at 416 Douglas is pictured above. This is one idea for what the building could look like, with embellishments to make it more inviting and visually interesting – one of a number of options for the enhancing the facade.

After reviewing over a dozen sites in and near downtown in 2006, the Society’s Site Committee recommended this structure as the one that most effectively meets the needs and requirements of a history center/museum. It is a sturdy masonry structure built on a slab, with clear-span construction that would allow interior spaces to be opened up for exhibits, presentation spaces and storage. It is energy efficient, has an elevator and handicapped accessible bathrooms, a long-term metal roof and seven parking spaces.

We have an opportunity NOW to create a museum that preserves local stories!   Despite early calls for a museum facility, consistent collecting of Ames artifacts did not begin until 2001, 137 years after Ames was founded in 1864!

Phase 1 includes the purchase of the structure at 416 Douglas by the end of 2008 or early 2009. Negotiate with the tenant that now rents the other half of the first floor for mid-year 2010 or 2011 occupancy of the whole first floor. Remodel the first floor to accommodate Society activities. Second floor tenants would be maintained until resources are secured to occupy the entire building – hopefully sometime in 2012.  In the meantime, rental revenues would be used to cover maintenance costs and taxes for which the Society would be liable.

416 Douglas is a 50’ x 75’, 2-story, 15-year old struc-ture that would provide 7,500 square feet of space.   The purchase would include a 7-stall parking lot.  The asking price is below the assessed value, and the seller has been patient, but is eager to close the deal!

Phase 2 would purchase the Pantorium  that adjoins 416 Douglas as well as an additional parking lot owned by the same party. It would also allow the renovation for occupancy. The Pantorium is a historic 2-story building that would provide 2,980 square feet of additional space that could be used for exhibitions or storage. An apartment occupies the second floor. The Pantorium is extremely well-built and is in good condition.  A passageway can be opened up between it and 416 Douglas.

Phase 3 would increase the Endowment (currently at $19,000) to fund programming, operations and on-going maintenance. Five percent of the income generated by the Endowment will be usable for daily operations. The remaining earnings will stay in place to increase the fund. This will ensure long-term financial stability for the Ames History Center and Museum.