The President’s House: Celebrating a Century

Prior to 1890, the chief executive officer of the Iowa State Normal School, now the University of Northern Iowa, lived in quarters within the classroom buildings. This space was inadequate for President and Mrs. Homer H. Seerley and their four young children, who arrived on campus in 1886. Consequently, in 1890, the state built a two-story brick house, known as the President’s Cottage, on the eastern edge of campus for the Seerley family.

As the school grew, the President’s Cottage proved too small for the entertainment and receptions the president was expected to provide as part of his professional responsibility. In 1907, the Normal School board of trustees authorized a new President’s House, at a cost not to exceed $16,000. The president and his family moved into the new house in October 1909. The original President’s Cottage is now home to the Honors Program.

The final cost of the building was $18,000. All utilities—heat, light and telephone—were brought to the house through a tunnel. The house has about 6,000 square feet of living space on four levels, is finished with maple and oak woodwork and paneling, and has 25 rooms. It’s in the Chicago prairie style, also known as Louis Sullivan style.All UNI presidents have been required to live in the house since its completion.

It serves a dual role as living space and public space for campus events. Special family functions held at the President’s House include the weddings of two of Homer Seerley’s daughters and Nancy Price, daughter of Malcolm Price, and the birth of Esther Seerley Culley’s son, Homer.

The house was the site of 125 events and hosted 1,500 guests in the past year alone. Special guests over the years have included Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nancy Price, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Van Cliburn, Marian McPartland, Myrna Loy, Ricardo Montalban, William O. Douglas and Joan Fontaine.

The exterior of the house has seen few changes, except for the addition of the porches. The interior is substantially the same as well, with minor surface changes over the years, such as paint and wallpaper.

In the summer of 1983, however, the building underwent major renovation, restoration and maintenance in preparation for a new president. This project was extensive, costing more than $200,000. The work included a new heating, cooling and ventilation system more than a decade after President Maucker recommended the installation of central air conditioning.

Other work included an electrical service upgrade, repairs to a basement wall, a new foundation under the back porch, new carpeting on the main level, refinishing the woodwork, remodeling the kitchen, finishing the basement, landscaping and installing a privacy fence around the backyard.

In the 1990s, there were substantial improvements to the exterior, the most noticeable being the driveway to the house. Formerly, the driveway leading back to the garage had opened onto College Street. That portion of the driveway was closed, regraded and sodded so the only access to the garage was to the west, from Wisconsin Street. In addition, there were substantial improvements to the drainage and landscaping. A black metal fence was erected along the College Street side of the house, and perennial beds, including hostas, were established or enhanced.

The most recent renovations occurred in 2006, in anticipation of the arrival of President Benjamin Allen and his wife, Pat. A new roof was installed and the porches repaired, and some improvements were made throughout the interior of the home. The Allens have made a personal contribution to the home by providing new furniture throughout to create an inviting atmosphere for the many guests who come to the house each year.

See more photos at http://www.uni.edu/presidentshouse