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Hoover Foundation plans $20M museum renovation
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · February 24, 2021
Gov. Kim Reynolds and Herbert Hoover’s great-grandson jointly announced a “major” renovation to the Presidential Library and Museum — a $20 million project backed by a bill to provide tax credits to donors.
Reynolds used part of her Feb. 17 press conference to announce a $5 million Hoover Tax Credit bill and Allan Hoover followed to reveal plans for the first significant rework of the permanent galleries since 1992, nearly three decades ago.
“Iowans can make this project possible,” Reynolds said after explaining that the tax credit applies to 25 percent of a donation amount and runs from 2021 through 2023.
Hoover said the museum dedicated to the West Branch native and 31st president waited longer than any other presidential museum for an upgrade.
He and Jerry Fleagle, executive director of the Hoover Presidential Foundation, which will spearhead the renovation project, met with several members of the Iowa legislature and all expressed willingness to pass the bill.
“I’m encouraged by how much support there is,” Hoover said. “My family is deeply grateful to the people of Iowa, both houses of the legislature and Gov. Reynolds for this tremendous support and for helping this get one step closer to reality.”
State Rep. Robert “Bobby” Kaufmann, R-Wilton, filed HF 255 in the House and state Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale) filed SF 94 in the senate in support of the Hoover Tax Credit. Hoover said each already passed 3-0 out of House and Senate subcommittees.
“The Hoover Tax Credit is such an important part of this project,” Hoover said.
Reynolds said the tax credit will help raise donations “to preserve an important historic landmark in our state for generations to come.”
She added that, according to the National Archives and Records Administration, work may begin once the Foundation raises 90 percent of the money and the goal would be to finish the renovation by Aug. 10, 2024, in time for the former president’s 150th birthday.
The Foundation hoped to see the bill passed in 2020, but coronavirus concerns led legislators to push it, along with many other bills, back a year. Fleagle said the tax credit is modeled after the one that supports Endow Iowa, a program to benefit Iowa nonprofit groups.
Hoover said lawmakers seemed to like the bill because it helps enhance a significant state landmark.
“He’s the only president from Iowa, and there’s been a long connection between Herbert Hoover and Iowa over the years,” the great-grandson said. “Many legislators were all very excited and enthusiastic.”
In a 45-page presentation prepared by the Hoover museum and dated November 2020, the renovation carries four goals:
• Renovate the permanent galleries to produce a more popular, more effective, more appealing museum
• Raise the profile and awareness of Herbert Hoover with the public
• Be more effective at telling a quintessentially American, inspirational story so it has global impact
• Integrate the museum with the birthplace and resting place so all three elements create a unified whole
The report also created an overall objective: “Guests will emerge empowered to lead an Uncommon Life,” it read, referring to Hoover’s famous “Uncommon Man” speech, “committed to taking action in creating positive change through individual enterprise and initiative in service to humanity.”
Hoover credited the Foundation’s board of directors, the National Park Service, the Presidential Library, NARA, the City of West Branch and the rest of the Hoover family for “pulling in the same direction to accomplish this renovation.”
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