Edgewood School of Domestic Arts

United States historic place

Edgewood School of Domestic Arts

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Show map of Iowa

Show map of the United States

Location| 719 River St.
Iowa Falls, Iowa
Coordinates| 42°31′25.9″N 93°16′06″W﻿ / ﻿42.523861°N 93.26833°W﻿ / 42.523861; -93.26833
Area| 1.5 acres (0.61 ha)
Built| 1909-1910
NRHP reference No.| 79000897[1]
Added to NRHP| April 19, 1979

The Edgewood School of Domestic Arts, now known just as "Edgewood," is a historic building in Iowa Falls, Iowa, United States. Originally a school for girls and women, it now houses apartments upstairs and space for meetings and family gatherings downstairs.[2]

## History[edit]

### School of Domestic Arts[edit]

Edgewood was established as a School of Domestic Arts in 1886 by Mrs. Eva Simplot.[3] The 2½-story, frame structure built on a rock-faced stone foundation was completed in 1910. From 1911 - 1935 nine hundred thirty five women and girls from the area attended classes here. Subjects included sewing, cooking, and home management.[4]

The lots on which Edgewood stands were owned by Mr. and Mrs. Simplot and were donated free of encumbrance. Through Mrs. Simplot's efforts and dedication and with the help of a group of local women, the school was built. Community support was evidenced by contributions of money, furnishings, and labor. Dinners, suppers, and ice cream socials were held. Magazine subscriptions were sold, bricks were sold at a cost of one cent each. Windows were purchased at a cost of $12.50—the donor's name was etched in the upper leaded glass pane.

After the school opened, expenses were met from tuition, board and room paid by the students and continuing donations from concerned people. Any deficit at the end of the month was paid by Mrs. Simplot from her own personal account.

In 1934, Domestic Science was added to the curriculum of the Iowa Falls schools, and it became evident that the "Sewing School" was no longer needed. Mrs. Simplot made plans for the future use of the building. She died in 1935. Her will left all the property now known as Edgewood to the women and girls of the Iowa Falls community, to be used for charitable, educational, and cultural activities. The building was transformed into a community center.[3]

### Community Center[edit]

Articles of Incorporation were drawn up and adopted in 1938. The articles were amended in 1961 and again in 1978. The articles provide that a board of directors be elected to care for and supervise the use of the building. These directors are elected at an annual meeting held in July of each year. Currently there are 12 members on the board

Through the years improvements have been made as funds became available. The second floor was turned into apartments, and bathrooms were installed. The building was rewired, and the kitchen was modernized. A parking lot, walks, and landscaping were made possible with the sale of some of the lots and the support of the city.

More recently, the attic was insulated, and the windows were replaced and reinforced. The original upper panes with donors' names were kept. The social hall and kitchen were air-conditioned, and window air conditioning units were put into each apartment.

Current income comes from the rental of the five apartments on the second floor and the public use of the social hall and kitchen at stated rates. The basement is leased free of rent to the Scouts of Iowa Falls. Upkeep and utilities of that area are paid by them.

As when Mrs. Simplot lived, income does not always meet expenses. Public support continues to be necessary. The Community Chest and interested citizens annually contribute money and labor. For ten years, the board members sponsored an annual ice cream social during the July 4th celebrations, with all profits going to Edgewood. The board appreciates all gifts and support as they work to keep the building and premises in a state of good repair and an asset to the community.

Edgewood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

## References[edit]

1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. ^ "Edgewood School of Domestic Arts". National Register of Historic Places Travel Itenerary - Iowa Falls, Iowa. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
3. ^ a b M.H. Bowers. "Edgewood School of Domestic Arts". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-11-07. with photos
4. ^ "Edgewood School of Domestic Art". National Park Service - Welcome to Hardin County. Retrieved 7 June 2014.

* v
* t
* e

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Topics|

* Architectural style categories
* Contributing property
* Historic district
* History of the National Register of Historic Places
* Keeper of the Register
* National Park Service
* Property types

Lists by state|

* List of U.S. National Historic Landmarks by state:
* Alabama
* Alaska
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* Florida
* Georgia
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Missouri
* Montana
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* New York
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Utah
* Vermont
* Virginia
* Washington
* West Virginia
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

Lists by insular areas|

* American Samoa
* Guam
* Minor Outlying Islands
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Puerto Rico
* Virgin Islands

Lists by associated state|

* Federated States of Micronesia
* Marshall Islands
* Palau

Other areas|

* District of Columbia
* American Legation, Morocco

Related|

* National Historic Preservation Act
* Historic Preservation Fund
* List of jails and prisons on the National Register of Historic Places
* University and college buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places

* National Register of Historic Places portal
* Category

* v
* t
* e

National Register of Historic Places in Hardin County, Iowa

Ackley|

* Illinois Central Combination Depot-Ackley

Alden|

* Alden Bridge
* Alden Public Library

Eldora|

* Civilian Conservation Corps-Prisoner of War Recreation Hall
* Eldora Downtown Historic District
* Eldora Public Library
* First Congregational Church
* Hardin County Courthouse
* Hardin County Home Historic District

Iowa Falls|

* Carnegie-Ellsworth Public Library
* Edgewood School of Domestic Arts
* Ellsworth-Jones Building
* Estes Park Band Shell
* First National Bank
* Iowa Falls Bridge
* Iowa Falls Union Depot
* Glenn and Nell Kurtz Lustron Home and Garage
* McClanahan Block
* Metropolitan Opera House
* Mills Tower Historic District
* Princess Sweet Shop
* River Street Bridge
* St. Matthew's by the Bridge Episcopal Church
* Sentinel Block
* Slayton Farms-Round Barn
* Union Cemetery Gardener's Cottage
* U.S. Post Office-Iowa Falls
* W.R.C. Hall
* Washington Avenue Bridge
* Washington Avenue Commercial Historic District

New Providence|

* Honey Creek Friends' Meetinghouse
* New Providence Building Association Stores
* New Providence School Gymnasium

Steamboat Rock|

* Folkert Mound Group
* Steamboat Rock Consolidated Schools Building

See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Hardin County, Iowa and List of National Historic Landmarks in Iowa
*[No.]: number
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template