Iowa Commission for the Blind Building

The Iowa Commission for the Blind Building is a historic building located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The building is a steel-framed structure covered in brick. It is a nine-story state government office building that rises 95 feet (29 m) above the ground.^[2]

Iowa Commission for the Blind Building
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Location	524 4th St., Des Moines, Iowa
Coordinates	41°35′20″N 93°37′22″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1913
Architect	Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson
Architectural style	Classical Revival
NRHP reference No.	09000714[1]
Added to NRHP	July 1, 2010

History

The building was completed in 1913 for use by the YMCA.^[3] It was designed by the Des Moines architectural firm of Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson in the Neoclassical style. When the YMCA moved to their present location in 1959, the state acquired the building for the Iowa Commission for the Blind. It was here that the commission, under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan transformed rehabilitation services for the blind in the state into what became known as the Iowa Model. It is based on the belief that with the proper training and opportunity, the blind can live productive and successful lives.^[3] The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.^[1]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. "Iowa Department for the Blind Building". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved 2012-01-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
3. "Iowa Department for the Blind building lands on national historic registry". Iowa Department for the Blind. Retrieved 2017-10-09.